The Wolves earned a dominant sweep over the Seneca Sting on Jan. 24 before coming up a point short against the top-ranked Georgian Grizzlies
Gavin Oregan
Photos: Gavin Oregan
January 29, 2025 Revised: January 29, 2025 4:02pm
Photo: Gavin Oregan
Wolves celebrating in a huddle after winning a point on Jan. 24 against the Seneca Sting at the Jack Doyle Recreation and Athletic Centre.
The Algonquin Wolves men’s volleyball team swept the Seneca Sting on Jan. 24 before coming up a point short against the top-ranked Georgian Grizzlies a day later at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre.
Against the Sting, the Wolves’ dominant play around the net proved decisive, with the team surrendering the lead only once across three sets.
“We played our best game around the net, giving them no room to beat us up top. Our passing and movement were at our level — we played great,” said head coach Jelle Kooijman.
Algonquin registered 51 kills on 86 attempts, outscoring Seneca 51-17. Middle hitter Ethan Fisher delivered a season high of 10 kills on 10 attempts, along with three service aces. Nick Gauthier Barber and Mahmoud Abdelaziz also had standout performances, tallying nine kills each.
“Our game plan was played to perfection. We knew we had to be successful around the net, and we were,” said Gauthier Barber, the middle hitter for the Algonquin Wolves.
Seneca tried to match Algonquin’s intensity in the third set, with Baufy Mbaya Kongolo leading the way with four kills. However, the Wolves overcame a brief deficit with key serves from Liam Arnold-Paquette and Fisher to complete the sweep.
Wolves player Liam Arnold-Paquette serving against the Seneca Sting on Jan. 24 at the Jack Doyle Recreation and Athletic Centre. Photo credit: Gavin Oregan
“Our serving tonight was exactly what we looked for — putting the ball in bad spots for them and giving us more opportunities for kills and easy points,” said Barber.
With the season winding down and playoffs approaching, the Wolves are projected to face the Fanshawe Falcons, the second seed in the Ontario College Athletic Association western conference in the opening round.
“Everybody in our locker room knows we can beat anybody. Playing our game with confidence gives us a chance against anyone we face,” said Kooijman.
Wolves player Ethan Fisher serving against the Seneca Sting on Jan. 24 at the Jack Doyle Recreation and Athletic Centre. Photo credit: Gavin Oregan
The Wolves’ game against the Georgian Grizzlies on Jan. 25 at the Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre was a tougher challenge. Algonquin won the first two sets and had a match point in the third at 24-23. However, the Grizzlies staged a dramatic comeback, taking the third set and winning the next two to complete a reverse sweep over the Wolves.
The weekend spilt put the Wolves’ record at 7-9 on the season.
The Wolves will play their final two regular season games on Feb. 1 at Fleming College and Feb. 2 at Durham College before the playoffs begin on Feb. 8.
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Pink Floyd tribute band delivers another mesmerizing performance at the Algonquin Commons Theatre
Bradley Richards
Photos: Bradley Richards
January 29, 2025 Revised: January 29, 2025 1:21pm
Photo: Bradley Richards
Two of the five members of Comfortably Numb, Chris Houle and Azim (AK) Keshavjee.
Comfortably Numb – Canada’s Pink Floyd Show wrapped up another sold-out concert at the Algonquin Commons Theatre on Jan. 25 after also selling out their previous eight performances at the college.
In an interview with the Algonquin Times, Azim (AK) Keshavjee, the band’s lead singer and guitarist, spoke about the band returning to the ACT for the first time since their last performance on Jan. 27, 2024.
“We love coming here, its an excellent venue, excellent staff, excellent crew that work here,” said Keshavjee, a former student at the college who studied in a culinary program before hopping into a van and touring the country as a musician.
“Everyone is really polite and pleasant even when there are challenges that we face, whatever they are, sound or lighting, you know. Everyone works together as a team and gets it sorted so it’s an outstanding venue.”
The band has developed a reputation giving audiences an authentic Pink Floyd experience, and this show was no different. The combination of incredible vocals and masterful instrumental solos made for an impressive homage to Pink Floyd’s music.
Comfortably Numb on stage at the ACT: Geneviève (Gin) Bourgeois, Chris Houle, Azim (AK) Keshavjee, Brent Hultquist and Paul (Otis) Oatway. Photo credit: Bradley Richards
The music was accompanied by hypnotic lights and mind-bending graphics on a large projector screen complementing the songs. During the band’s rendition of Welcome to the Machine, cartoonish machinery beamed onto the projector screen.
Audience member Mark Waymann was impressed with the performance — and it wasn’t his first time seeing it.
“It’s excellent,” Waymann said. “I’m not even sure how many times I’ve seen them, eight times probably.”
Another audience member, Kris Cybanski, said it was his first time seeing the tribute band and they were “fantastic.”
“I’m not even a Pink Floyd guy and I’m getting blown away,” Cybanski said. “I haven’t seen a good light show like that in probably 20 years.”
Waymann and Cybanski weren’t alone in their enthusiasm. The room filled with loud cheering and clapping after every song, with the audience even joining in to sing along during the song Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2.
Since the band’s formation in 1993, they have developed a loyal fanbase after more than 30 years of performing.
“There are people that I’ve seen that have followed us around from city to city. We recently played Vancouver and people from Ottawa flew to Vancouver that we don’t even know to come see the show, so really, it’s a testament to the band,” Keshavjee said.
Two of the five members of Comfortably Numb, Chris Houle and Azim (AK) Keshavjee. Photo credit: Bradley Richards
The latest performance at the ACT was part of their Wish You Were Here and The Wall Tour 2025 celebrating the 50-year anniversary of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here album. The show lasted a full three hours, aside from a brief intermission halfway through.
Keshavjee has a long-standing relationship with the staff and school from his time as a student and said he always appreciates the chance to return.
“It’s like home you know. We all love coming here, it’s a really lovely experience,” he said.
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In January 2019, Algonquin College went "smoke-free," banning all smoking on campus. Has the college met its goal, or has the plan gone up in smoke?
Duncan Roi
Photos: Duncan Roi
January 29, 2025 Revised: January 29, 2025 11:51am
Photo: Duncan Roi
A no-smoking sign outside T-building.
Despite Algonquin College’s smoke-free initiative, it’s not hard to find people smoking and vaping on campus. There is a buildup of cigarette butts, vape pens, and other smoking products around much of the college grounds.
TV broadcasting student Alex Ramos believes that the initiative isn’t working well in its current form.
“I don’t think that they’re really enforcing it. I don’t see anybody really walking around and telling people to not vape or not smoke or anything like that,” Ramos said.
Ramos is not alone. Many students feel there is a grey area when it comes to smoking on campus. Although it is prohibited, some students wonder if the smoking rules are being enforced effectively by campus security.
The smoke-free policy began with a “soft launch” from Oct. 15, 2018, to Jan. 1, 2019. After this interim period, Algonquin made the policy permanent.
The change was partly driven by Ontario’s Bill 36, Cannabis Statute Law Amendment Act, 2018, which legalized marijuana smoking where tobacco smoking is permitted.
According to the Algonquin College website, college security guards implement the smoke-free policy by issuing warnings to students who are repeatedly caught smoking on campus. Multiple infractions can result in disciplinary actions, such as fines.
Discarded cigarettes outside the entrance of B-building. Photo credit: Duncan Roi
Radio broadcasting student Alex Gonzales also expressed confusion over the smoking rules, saying he often sees students smoking around N-building, right next to “no smoking” signs.
In response to concerns over the smoke-free campus initiative, the Students’ Association previously proposed designated smoking areas on campus, alongside better disposal options.
These designated areas would aim to accommodate the needs of smoking students while balancing the rights of non-smoking students to avoid encountering smoke in high-traffic areas and entrances.
Based on feedback in 2019, many students preferred the campus having designated smoking areas, as opposed to a total campus-wide smoking ban.
“It would be much easier if they just put a designated area for the smokers,” Gonzales said, adding that the areas should be located not too far away from college buildings.
Pre-health student Evie Lim also expressed support for designated smoking areas. “Creating a smoking area will be a great help in preventing second-hand smoke. As well, it will be a great help to the cleanliness of the entire school,” Lim said.
The college stands firm on its decision to have a completely smoke-free campus, with no current plans to introduce designated smoking areas.
In a statement to the Algonquin Times, Algonquin College backed its current policy saying, “The college continues to support and promote safe and healthy smoke-free environments at all campuses for our learners and employees.”
While students consider the need for designated smoking areas, Health Services provides smoking cessation support, such as prescriptions and counselling. To learn more, students can call and book an appointment with a doctor or a nurse at, 613-727-4723, ext. 7222.
An online petition has collected thousands of signatures from those opposed to the college closing the campus
Ernest Ko
Photos: Ernest Ko
January 24, 2025 Revised: January 24, 2025 6:07pm
Photo: Ernest Ko
Algonquin College Perth campus' main entrance on a snowy January day.
Algonquin College Perth alumni and community members are signing an online petition titled “Save Algonquin College Perth Campus” in hopes the college will reverse its decision to close the campus in 2026.
That decision was met with shock and frustration from many in Perth, alarmed by the economic and social repercussions it might bring.
The petition warns the closure would “result in lost jobs for faculty and support staff, and the loss of opportunity for local students to receive an education without removing themselves from the community.”
“Algonquin College Perth has also become a community hub,” the petition says. “It hosts continuing education courses for professionals and community members, as well as markets for local artists and craftspeople.”
In Perth, a town well known for its heritage buildings and carpentry traditions, the college’s heritage carpentry and joinery program holds a special and long-standing relationship with the nearby community.
Speaking to the Algonquin Times, petitioner Braeden Suggitt, a Perth heritage carpentry alumnus, described feeling shocked and heartbroken after hearing about the closure through an alumni group chat.
One of Suggitt's assignments while studying at Perth was to recreate a window frame from a historical building of his choice.
“With such a small campus, we knew there wasn’t a lot of money coming in,” said Suggitt. “But knowing the campus’ positive impacts — especially to the local community — it’s a little surprising. Like really, you’re choosing to do that?”
With the petition, “we wanted to show just how many people support this campus and the huge reach that this small town has,” Suggitt said.
One of those supporters is Willa Murray, another graduate of the heritage carpentry program. She now works as a carpenter and leather worker.
Murray praised Perth’s campus for its small size, which she said helped her foster close connections with professors and classmates. It was a unique learning environment that helped her hone her craft.
“There isn’t anything else like (the Perth campus),” Murray said.
Willa Murray, a graduate from Perth's heritage carpenty and joinery program, working on a timber frame. Photo credit: Submitted by Willa Murray
Without it, she predicts that local landlords would lose their revenue, businesses would have fewer part-time staff and Perth’s senior demographic would receive less support.
“We would be missing a whole demographic,” said Murray.
Kelly Charlebois, a Perth resident and Algonquin College alumna from both Perth and Ottawa, also signed the petition.
“There’s nothing else between (Perth) and Kingston,” Charlebois said about Ontario’s rural post-secondary options. “Losing the college is not good for our local economy.”
She said the closure would force young adults to leave Perth to seek higher education and better paying jobs, opening a hole in the local workforce.
Once the Perth campus closes, the college said it plans to move its existing programs to the Ottawa campus.
Launched on Jan. 12, the "Save Algonquin College Perth Campus" petition had more than 2,000 signatures at the time of writing. Photo credit: Change.org
In an email to Suggitt, Algonquin College president and CEO Claude Brulé asserted the college is “dedicated to finding ways to maintain the core elements of these programs and their ties to heritage and craftsmanship” after the transfer.
Suggitt, however, is not convinced.
“It would lose some important aspects,” he said.
From log building to timber framing, the heritage carpentry program uses much of the Perth campus pavilion. Suggitt says there is not enough space at Ottawa’s ACCE-building, especially with pre-existing carpentry classes.
“It’s just not easily done,” Suggit said.
Since graduating, Suggitt has been working for Parks Canada in Whitehorse.
He and another Perth heritage carpentry alumnus are working to restore the S.S. Klondike, a historic steamship designated as a national historic site since 1967.
Suggitt said people like him are brought in, not only because the heritage carpentry program makes him highly qualified, but because there are no local carpenters.
Whether it’s Whitehorse or Perth, Suggitt said, “we need to be investing in rural education, not making cuts.”
Designated as a national historic site since 1960, the S.S. Klondike is currently undergoing restoration — a job well suited for Suggitt and his heritage carpentry training. Photo credit: Submitted by Braeden Suggitt
Closing the campus, Suggitt said, will not help fix the college’s financial woes. He called it a “Band-Aid solution to a much bigger problem.”
“The extra money could help restart programs elsewhere,” he said, “but it can’t buy back the lost trust from this community.”
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News from all around the world and in your area on Jan. 23, coming from Algonquin Times journalists to you
Delaney Smith
Photos:
January 24, 2025 Revised: January 24, 2025 3:24pm
Local:
CTV: The National Capital Commission revealed the design chosen for the new Alexandra Bridge on Thursday morning.
The bridge connects Ottawa to Gatineau and is called Motion.
The concept design is inspired by the American eel, a native species to the Ottawa River, and pays tribute to the flowing current of the river.
Presented by the NCC and the Public Services and Procurement Canada, the design is considered the preferred design for the inter-provincial bridge, since the old one needs repairing and is at the end of its life.
The three designs that were shown by the NCC in October are Echo, Rendez vous and the newest among the designs, Motion.
National:
CBC: Pierre Poilievre said on Thursday at a new housing development site in Delta, B.C. that if he was in office as the Prime Minister, he would cut the amount of federal public workers but continue to allow some to work from home.
The Conservative leader didn’t mention the productivity of the civil servants, but said that work is not getting done in the federal government.
Poilievre was also asked about his opinion on Donald Trump’s new order of putting workers back into the office for all five days a week. He said as long as they are doing the work, remote work is fine.
International:
CTV: At the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum on Thursday, Donald Trump said that the United States does not need Canadian resources such as timber, oil, gas and autos.
The U.S. president also reiterated the concept of Canada becoming the 51st state of the United States.
“We’re going to be demanding respect from other nations,” Trump said at the conference in Davos, Switzerland via video conference. “Canada has been very tough to deal with over the years.”
Facilities Management has been busy in A-building recently with the ongoing science lab construction and other projects aimed at improving accessibility and safety
Bradley Richards
Photos: Bradley Richards
January 24, 2025 Revised: January 24, 2025 12:01pm
Photo: Bradley Richards
Cavanagh Construction signs posted outside of A-building where the science lab is being built.
Construction for the innovative science lab has been moving according to schedule, with accommodations being made to limit possible disturbances during this massive undertaking, according to Facilities Management.
“Sound barriers were installed at access points leading to adjacent corridors, significantly reducing noise transmission to other areas of the campus. Furthermore, all demolition activities were scheduled during non-study hours or overnight to avoid interference with daily operations,” said Ahmed Waked, associate director of Facilities Development, in an email to the Algonquin Times.
“For external construction work, close coordination with campus parking and service departments ensured that risks to facilities and the campus community were minimized. These efforts have been pivotal in keeping disruptions to an absolute minimum,” said Waked.
Jessica Lewis, a 25-year-old design foundations student, has noticed some noise from construction but understands that it cannot be avoided entirely.
“I heard, I think it was like a drill or something. I’m (working) in a kitchen so that doesn’t necessarily bother me, but I can understand how that would disrupt people, because I could feel the wall vibrating,” said Lewis.
“I can understand why people aren’t happy, but I think there is only so much you can do. Like if they are putting up new signs and stuff, they have to use a drill, they have to use a hammer.”
Sonja Wareberg, 23, a student in the the academic assistance for adults with developmental disabilities program, said she thinks “they’ve done a good job” at limiting the noise, but she can still hear the ongoing construction during class sometimes.
The science lab project, which began on July 22, 2024, has a targeted date of completion for August 2025. Facilities Management said they are pleased to report the project is progressing as planned.
“While potential challenges like weather conditions and equipment deliveries have been monitored closely, mitigation measures — such as weatherproofing, health and safety inspections, and proactive project management — have helped us stay on track without significant delays,” said Waked.
Construction for the new science lab is a major development for Algonquin College that will provide students with three biosafety level 2 labs, two chemistry labs and a research area.
Besides construction, there are many other major operations going on in A-building. These include upgrading fire safety protocols and stairwell nosings.
One of the many pull stations in A-building currently out of service. Photo credit: Bradley Richards
The college is replacing outdated pull stations in A-building to bring the fire alarm system up to provincial accessibility standards. Signs on some of the pull stations indicate they are temporarily not in service.
The stairwell nosings in stairwells B, C, D and E have been replaced with slip-resistant strips to improve safety for students and faculty. Emergency access to the stairwells was maintained during the six days of work in mid-January.
For more information about maintenance and construction throughout campus, check the Facilities Management page for timely updates on future Facilities Management tasks.
Amid a battle between the U.S. government and the social media platform, Algonquin Times reporters fanned out across the Ottawa campus to get students' take on TikTok
Vasileios Tselios
Photos: Jack Beeston
January 24, 2025 Revised: January 24, 2025 10:23am
Photo: Jack Beeston
Melody Clifton telling Algonquin Times reporter Lara Simard how a potential TikTok ban would affect her.
Algonquin College students are conflicted on TikTok’s ban in the United States, acknowledging the positives and the negatives of the platform.
After an extensive dispute concerning TikTok’s data-gathering practices, the app was banned on Jan. 18 in the United States.
“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S.,” a message from the app said. “Unfortunately that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
The ban faced backlash on social media, and the app was available in the United States on the next day. U.S. President Donald Trump on his first day in office signed an executive order delaying the enforcement of the ban for 75 days.
In light of the ban in the U.S., the Algonquin Times was curious how students’ life would change if they could no longer use TikTok.
Students were open about their frequent usage of the app, but they were indifferent to the ban.
For Flo Muka, a business student, TikTok is another social media platform that can be replaced. He said he is on TikTok for two hours a day, but if it were to be banned, he would easily switch to an alternative, such as YouTube Shorts.
“Not life changing. You move on,” he said.
Others find TikTok’s entertainment hard to replicate.
“I would have nothing to do honestly, because when I’m not studying, what I’m doing is watching TikTok when I can’t sleep,” said Melody Clifton, a nursing student.
Clifton does not like using other social media apps, such as Snapchat and Instagram. “I’d probably just watch more TV,” said Clifton.
For a few students, the app keeps them updated and informed.
“Honestly, I use it most days. I find I do learn a lot of information on that, just being on general news,” says Owen Ehrl, a first-year accounting student. “I think I would lose out on a lot of information and knowledge. But also, it could help me be more productive because I do find that I end up scrolling a lot.”
Aruzhan Tazhigaliyeva expressed a similar sentiment.
“If it did get banned, it would cut off my main source of information,” she said.
Some students reported rarely using the app, but they questioned the U.S. ban from an ethical standpoint.
“I don’t use TikTok at all but I’m against a ban. It’s some North Korea-type censorship,” said Kiernan Grand, a scriptwriting student.
Grand called the ban “scary” for those working in media, such as himself.
“I would have more free time to do hobbies, (but) I would be upset. It feels controlling,” said Bella Nuzzi, a nursing student.
“I know that it was owned by a Chinese company and that it could pose a security risk. I know it was banned on government devices but I find issue with banning TikTok on personal devices,” said Nuzzi.
TikTok has been in hot water with the U.S. government since February 2019, when they had to pay a $5.7 million settlement on federal allegations of violating U.S. child-privacy laws.
In April 2024, former president Joe Biden signed off on a bill giving the social media platform an ultimatum: either sell to a U.S. owner or the app would be banned in the United States. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ban on Jan. 17, 2025.
Contributors to this story: Skyla Murray, Duncan Roi, Hau Ting Ng, Joshua Peachey-Leigh, Ève Bélanger, Delaney Smith, Nathan Heatherington, Gavin Oregan, Nicklaus Korim, Jack Beeston, Bradley Richards, Lara Simard, Marcos Somarriba-Castillo, Elyse Barker, Kendra Mendrisky, Kevin Clasper-Inglis and Vasileios Tslelios
Top stories from Ottawa and around the world on Jan. 22, 2025, by the Algonquin Times staff
Marcos Somarriba
Photos:
January 23, 2025 Revised: January 23, 2025 11:35am
Local
CBC – Ottawa is receiving $10.5 million from the Ontario government to fund homeless projects in the city for the next two years.
The decision came after the federal government allowed Ontario to fund homeless projects directly to municipalities.
Clara Freire, Ottawa’s general manager of community and social services, is optimistic about the fundings.
“We’re hoping we can get the funding approved fairly quickly,” said Freire. “The key is to work now on a strategy to implement which will take some time especially if we’re looking at some capital development.”
Freire states the fundings will go directly toward the city’s encampment strategy, which costs around $14 million.
National CP – Amazon Canada announced they will be closing all seven of their warehouses in Quebec, resulting in a staff layoff over the next two months.
The decision came following a difficult relationship between Amazon and unionized labour workers in Laval, Que.
Francois Legault, premier of Quebec, expressed deep sadness regarding the decision.
“I can understand that it must be tough for the 1,700 families involved with these decisions,” said Legault.
Caroline Senneville, president of the union involved in Laval, called the decision “a slap in the face for all Quebec workers.”
Around 1,700 permanent employees in the province are to be laid off in the following two months.
International
AP News – A fatal high school shooting in Nashville, Tenn. left one injured and two dead, including shooter, marking it this year’s first school shooting in the United States.
It was a usual day in Antioch High School when students began their lunch period, until disaster struck.
A 17-year-old male student, Solomon Henderson, walked into the cafeteria to “confront” 16-year-old female student, Josselin Corea Escalante. Henderson opened fire, killing Escalante.
Shortly after firing his handgun, Henderson then pulled the trigger on himself.
Another male student, who was with Escalante, suffered a bullet graze wound. The male student was treated for his injuries and left the hospital the same day.
The high school is home to 2,000 students and located in Antioch, a residential area 16 kilometers from downtown Nashville.
Nashville police are actively investigating to find a possible motive for the shooting and why the victims were targeted.
Beathoven Club strikes a chord at Algonquin's second open mic night
Elyse Barker
Photos: Elyse Barker
January 22, 2025 Revised: January 22, 2025 5:27pm
Photo: Elyse Barker
Monique Messier captivates the crowd with a soulful performance at the open mic night.
The Beathoven Club hosted its second open mic night on Jan. 17, uniting Algonquin College students with live music while holding a space to showcase their talents in the school’s Observatory.
Music filled the campus pub as performers took the stage. Faith Bernard-Ottereyes, a music industry arts student and leader of the Beathoven Club, shared her inspiration for founding the club.
“A lot of my classmates wanted to find a way to get together and jam out. We got 80 endorsements to approve our club, so it was definitely something that was needed on campus for students to express their talents,” she said.
“This is a great place to meet people who love music just as much as we do.”
Club leader Faith Bernard-Ottereyes poses before opening the stage for the night performers. Photo credit: Elyse Barker
The night began with artists signing up at 6 p.m. and performances starting promptly at 7 p.m. Performers showcased a variety of talents, including original songs and covers of popular hits.
Monique Messier, a music industry arts student, performed an original piece alongside a song by The Cranberries.
“The highlight of performing is seeing the talent that everyone has and feeling the connection within the audience,” she shared
“This club does a great job at building community within this campus. One like no other in my opinion.”
Other standout performances included August John’s heartfelt original, A Sailor’s Song, which captivated the room with the song’s storytelling, and J.Dunni, who brought an energetic 90s-inspired rap vibe that had the crowd moving.
Singer August John performing his original song "A Sailor's Song" at the Open Mic show. Photo credit: Elyse Barker
The variety of performances ensured there was something for everyone to enjoy.
The open mic also attracted first-time audience members, such as Alex Gonzales, a second-year radio broadcasting student, and Moses Mukendi, a fellow music industry arts student.
Both expressed excitement about supporting their peers and enjoying the performances.
“This school has so many under-represented artists that deserve more attention,” Mukendi added.
Gonzales also shared his enthusiasm. “I’m blown away by the level of talent here tonight,” he said.
“It’s refreshing to see students expressing themselves so authentically.”
As the evening concluded, the Beathoven Club reinforced its role as a hub for music enthusiasts at Algonquin College. Bernard-Ottereyes encouraged more students to attend future events.
“It keeps the student body inspired and is very entertaining. We want everyone to know that this is a space where they can enjoy and share their love for music.”
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The Students’ Association offered motivational quotes and the AC Hub hosted a movie night, marking the start of mental health awareness week
Kendra Mendrisky
Photos: Kendra Mendrisky
January 22, 2025 Revised: January 22, 2025 3:31pm
Photo: Kendra Mendrisky
Members of the Students' Association, Cianah Miller (left) and Kate Ardidon (right), talk to students about the events taking place during the week.
Algonquin College students found comfort reading written encouragements and watching Mamma Miain the Student Commons on Blue Monday, known as the most depressing day of the year.
The Students’ Association has a table set up from Jan. 20 to Jan. 24 in E-building for their “take what you need” initiative, along with information about other free events being offered throughout the week.
A student reaches into the mindful exercise box Monday afternoon. Photo credit: Kendra Mendrisky
“We have different boxes set up for people to take words of affirmation, and they’ve been loving it,” said Cianah Miller, a brand ambassador for the Students’ Association.
The boxes hold little slips of paper with motivational quotes, journal prompts, affirmations and mindful exercises, and will be available for students to take all day from Monday to Friday.
Miller recently picked up journaling, which helps her deal with the winter blues.
Othersbeat the blues byescaping to Greece and taking in the tunes of Swedish sensation, ABBA.
“I’ve seen it many times before, but I just love the storyline, the music, the characters, just brings the movie all together,” said Lukas Auer, a student in the broadcasting – radio and podcasting program at Algonquin College.
Samantha Therrien, the events programmer at the AC Hub, picked Mamma Miabecause it is“fun, good vibes and lighthearted.”
About 40 students attended the AC Hub’s third annual Blue Monday movie night, which took place between 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Students enjoyed chips and juice boxes and picked a pair of colourful plastic sunglasses, which some wore during the movie.
Students line up for snacks ten minutes before the movie. Photo credit: Kendra Mendrisky
Therrien was happily surprised by the turnout.
“It’s really kind of a dark day for a lot of people,” she said. “After the holidays, a lot of students are stressed, getting back to their routines, school’s picking up again.”
In Canada, Blue Monday is also associated with long, cold nights and failed new year’s resolutions, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Therrien hopesthe movie night helpedstudentsrelaxandfeel supported by the school community.
Algonquin College Student Services shared some strategies to support mental well-being on their Instagram page, including acknowledging emotions, limiting stressors, taking time for moments of relaxation and reaching out for support when needed.
Auerwants to be known as a person who puts others before himself.
“Community is such a big thing in this world, and I feel like we need each other,” said Auer. “We should always just be there for each other because it’s always something to consider.That’s what school’s about, too, is a community.”
