*name has been changed to protect identity
Jamie*, a science student and former faculty rep, was not expecting they would have to file a human rights complaint against three fellow science representatives. But due to a lack of clear disciplinary action, they have had to go the McMaster Equity and Inclusion Office to report three students who repeatedly used the n-word on social media.
On Mar. 31, the day before the first day of Welcome Week representative training, one of the representatives in question posed a video of himself and two other representatives using the n-word onto his public Snapchat story. Unsure of their next course of action, Jamie recorded the video.
They decided to hold off on sharing it until Aug. 30, when they witnessed the planners taking decisive actions against other representatives who were behaving in a similar manner.
“So in my [rep group], there were two girls who were treating me like a [stereotype], using certain phrases and when I told them to stop, they just laughed. I brought it up to the [Welcome Week science] planners and they were cut the next morning,” they said.
“So the night this happened, I sent the video forward to my executive, who forwarded it to the planners. I figured 'oh if you're going to handle this issue you might as well handle this one,’” they added.
The planners then set up a meeting with Jamie the next day and promised all science representatives would receive additional training after Welcome Week. Jamie then contacted McMaster Students Union Diversity Services on Sept. 1, who tried to help them through the MSU branch.
Two of the representatives were still allowed to participate during Welcome Week and have not received any additional training.
According to Jamie, Diversity Services was not contacted to facilitate any additional anti-oppression practices training other than the general session given to all Welcome Week representatives during their Aug. training. Diversity Services later confirmed this via email.
After talking with the planners and the MSU vice president (Administration), Diversity Services relayed to Jamie that they could not further censure the representatives in question because they were not in their representative suits in the video. Jamie, however, questions the legitimacy of that ruling.
“In our first email from our planners, it said whether you're in the suit or not in the suit, you're still representing the Faculty of Science and science representatives,” they said.
After nearly two months, Jamie decided to post the full video in the Rep Network Facebook group on Oct. 27, where they asked why these students were allowed to continue to represent the Faculty of Science.
Within an hour, the video was taken down and Jamie was kicked out of the Rep Network group. They received an email from the McMaster Science Society president and the Welcome Week faculty coordinator, both of whom gave them different reasons for being kicked out of the group.
The former stated that the video had potentially triggering content and cited that for its removal while the latter stated they had not posted the video with the consent of those recorded. Jamie asked to be added back to the group, but still remains barred from it.
Both stated that disciplinary action had been taken, but neitthem would elaborate to Jamie what course of action had been taken. Two of the representatives were still allowed to participate during Welcome Week and have not received any additional training. The third rep in question was cut from the team because he failed to show up to a social event he had planned as an executive.
Following this experience, Jamie has filed a formal complaint with the Equity and Inclusion Office and hopes that no one else will go through such an ordeal.
“I'm hoping there will be a framework in the future, that way when someone comes forward with something like this, there's a protocol to follow and that in the event that the people involved are too close to the issue, that the planners and whoever else is involved can reach out to other bodies on campus,” they said.
“That way when you bring something up you're not left in the dark, the issue isn't brushed aside and something like this isn't allowed to flourish during the whole Welcome Week repping experience,” they added.
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By: Anonymous Contributor
CW: Sexual Assault
Music is blaring and the thumping of the bass can be felt in the deepest of bones. Strobe lights flash neon pink, green and blue.
It is 7:00 p.m. and the line-up for the most anticipated event of Welcome Week has stretched far beyond anyone had anticipated.
8,000 people, 2,000 upper-year students approximately 200 Welcome Week representatives on patrol.
Although seemingly well planned, many reps, at least those present, could attest that the night of the Post Malone concert on Sept. 1 was an absolute mess to say the least. If we take a closer look, the math tells us that this night held a rep to student ratio of approximately 1 to 400. However, this number underestimates the challenge of fulfilling student interaction while maintaining safety and security at the event.
Many reps came into the evening clearly unprepared for a night that would lead to circumstances extending well beyond their training. While our role as reps is meant to help first-year students in their transition into residence and university life, the hidden agenda includes security patrolling and taking on the role of law enforcer.
While the McMaster Rep Network boasted a large number of reps, many of them were only present during the night as concert attendees, not as reps. Though Engineering and Nursing took the initiative to assist during the concert, it simply was not enough.
With the little control that was maintained by the [group], students were still able to easily bypass security and pass drugs and alcohol to their friends who were cleared.
Campus Events Staff and the McMaster Students Union Maroons had their hands tied, clearly under pressure to maintain the little structure and organization the night had.
And that was just outside the concert space.
Did students actually get to hear Post Malone perform?
If you believe interspersed “ohs” and “yeahs” to be a performance, then by all means, believe it to be so. But in my opinion, that is not a performance. With a drunk Post Malone who was barely able to speak, I can say that the quality of the concert was highly debatable. To say that Post Malone was problematic is surely an understatement.
While we are on the topic of understatements, the MSU’s apparent firm stance for sexual violence prevention should be up for discussion, because that night highlighted an inconsistency with this “value”.
Why did the MSU not take any precautions to have some sort of response, in the case survivors needed support? Thankfully, one of the Women and Gender Equity Network’s members volunteered their time to provide support to both survivors and witnesses of the cases of sexual assault that happened that night. But this simply was not enough.
The Emergency First Response Team also had their hands full, to such the extent that EFRT alumni were called to respond to the demand of intoxicated students.
While I can go on and on about the night, I ask that the MSU take a step back. I ask that the Board of Directors look beyond the big name that they are trying to create for the MSU and to focus on its constituents, us — the students. While enjoyment is a priority, it must be overpowered by a concern for our safety.
With Homecoming around the corner, this is something important to take into consideration for the wellbeing of McMaster students. We need to reassess our priorities and maintain the balance between security and being able to bring valuable and enjoyable university experiences to campus.
Yes, the MSU brought Post Malone to McMaster, but it was at the expense of the wellbeing of MSU members. To say that Post Malone was a success undermines the very people who maintained the little structure that was there, so no, it is not the time to say “Congratulations”.
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Welcome Week may have ended two weeks ago, but if we’re all being honest, the busiest week on campus is still frequenting our minds and our Instagram feeds. McMaster’s first year orientation week sets the tone for the rest of the school year by welcoming new students to campus and Hamilton and welcoming back faculty and student representatives. The week is a fun-filled extravaganza, but its enduring physical and mental participation means that not all students leave with a positive attitude. Here are eleven different feelings you’re experiencing now that the week is dead and gone.
Exhaustion. With the high amounts of spirit and consistent cheering Welcome Week brings, reps and first years alike are probably still recovering from the exhausting eight days. The beating sun, the long hours and lack of food and water intake all contribute to needing to hibernate for three whole weeks (until we come out for Homecoming, obviously). Take your time to sleep as much as you can, refuel on all your nutrients and spend some time practicing self-care.
Relief. Welcome Week is a cherished time — one that first years and reps can look back on with fond memories. But that doesn’t mean that we’re not relieved it’s over. While most students start off the week in full spirits, we are relieved by the start of actual school that we no longer have to be up at 8:30am for a day of mostly extraverted activities.
Sadness. As Nelly Furtado best puts it, “Why do all good things come to an end?” While there are so many mixed feelings towards Welcome Week as a whole, one feeling many reps share is sadness. The week can act as a supercharged bonding activity for so many students. So much so that at week's end, reps are miserable that they don’t get to spend any more condensed time with their team. And for those who are graduating, the end of the week can be even more somber as fourth and fifth year reps know that they have suited up for the last time.
Excitement. The years or year to come can be a beacon of excitement while finishing off Welcome Week. The orientation activities might not have been for you, the classes you choose might be really interesting or you’re just really ready to graduate. Symbolizing a fresh start to a new school year, the Welcome Week finale can be full of anticipation.
Regret. While Welcome Week is full of great memories, there’s always something we wish we could have done or improved. Maybe you forgot a move during Airbands or didn’t get to ask your Welcome Week crush for their phone number (it’s impossible to recognize people without their rep suits). Or you didn’t get to visit the Engineer’s petting zoo or get someone to take a fire Instagram photo of you. Welcome Week regrets can hit you harder than normal as the only way to redeem yourself is to wait until next year (if you’re repping WW 2018 that is). Try to let the good memories replace the regrets. By the end of April, you probably won’t remember them at all.
Anger. If you were involved in Welcome Week in any capacity (organizing, repping or being a first year), you probably got angry or frustrated at some point during the week, and those feelings might be lingering into first term. This year's Welcome Week definitely had some areas of improvement that left many people angry with the process — some examples being the food options on campus available during move-in, Justin Trudeau’s visit taking reps away from their duties or rep training being slightly boring and redundant. Take your anger and channel that into filling out the Welcome Week survey, which should be hitting your Mac email inbox within the month.
Sickness. No, this isn’t a feeling, but students sure are feeling the big Welcome Week sick. Due to the exhaustion and over exposure to germs, there’s many people who are slowly descending into gross coughs and sneezes. Go to the doctor, take some medicine and save your roommates and classmates from your cold.
McMaster Student Affairs and the McMaster Students Union, along with multiple other campus organizations, work to make Welcome Week an exciting introduction to post-secondary life. With star-studded concerts, campus traditions à la Bed Racers, and even a Justin Trudeau visit this year, it’s no secret that McMaster University does first year orientation like no other.
Another unique Welcome Week tradition can be found on the upper-year student volunteers: jumpsuits worn by faculty and residence representatives. The thick, mechanic-esque suits allow first years to easily identify reps as leaders during the week. Incoming Marauders can spot a rep in a suit and immediately know that they can answer any university related-questions. The suits also double as a canvas for reps to reflect their own interests and personalities through paint and styling. Welcome Week 2017 was no exception for some of the most outrageous and fashionable rep suits to date. From detailed acrylic paintings to imaginative modification, here are the best looks from the hectic week.
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