Winter coat drive is helping keep students warm

Cold students in need can get a winter coat thanks to the Food Cupboard. The Warm Up for Winter coat drive kicked off in early November and coats are available […]
Nathan Drescher
Photos: Nathan Drescher
December 12, 2022
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm
Photo: Nathan Drescher
Julia McCann, the program coordinator for the Food Cupboard, is helping to keep students warm this winter.

Cold students in need can get a winter coat thanks to the Food Cupboard. The Warm Up for Winter coat drive kicked off in early November and coats are available right now.

“This is the first time we’ve had a coat drive,” said Julia McCann, the program coordinator for the Food Cupboard. “We’ve given away 14 or 15 jackets so far, and many hats and mitts as well.”

Ottawa winters can be wildly unpredictable, with some days reaching minus 20 C degrees or lower. Students are facing increasing financial pressure this year with the cost of living and basic foodstuffs at their highest levels in 40 years.

McCann hopes to help.

It was McCann and her managers at the the Students’ Association who first came up with the idea of putting together a winter coat drive. The Food Cupboard is operated by the Students’ Association, and while McCann is new to the role at the college, she has a lot of experience.

“I really loved the food cupboard program,” she said. “My background is in food security and food insecurity, and I’ve worked in several community programs, so I was excited to come here.”

There are winter coats, hats, mitts and boots for all ages and sizes at the Food Cupboard, located in room B102.
There are winter coats, hats, mitts and boots for all ages and sizes at the Food Cupboard, located in room B102. Photo credit: Nathan Drescher

A rack of winter coats and some shelves stuffed with coats and snow pants of all colours take up one side of the room. There are winter boots lined up along the floor, ready for a new owner who would otherwise have frozen feet.

“Students have been really grateful that we’re doing this,” McCann said. “A lot of international students, I don’t think, expect that the Canadian winter is going to be this harsh. So we’re getting a lot of good feedback about this.”

The Food Cupboard coat drive includes winter gear for children. There are hats and mittens and little winter coats for Algonquin College students who are also parents.

Students can book an appointment to receive winter clothing or food via the Students’ Association website. McCann said while the Food Cupboard operates on a trust system, students still need to register with the program.

Dec. 8 was the original end date of the winter coat drive, but now it is up in the air.

“We’re still deciding if this is the last day of the coat drive,” McCann said. “We have a lot of jackets remaining, so we might make this a permanent winter-long thing.”

While the collection for the jackets is over, people can make much needed food donations at one of several collection bins around campus, or by visiting the Food Cupboard in B building, Room B102.

Featured Story | News
Food cupboard | Student association | Winter

Nathan Drescher

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Students reveal their wishes for an improved 2023

With the winter break on the horizon, another year has come and gone. As the end of 2022 draws nearer, it is a time to both reflect on the year […]
Connor Lalande
Photos: Alyx Ewing
December 12, 2022
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm
Photo: Alyx Ewing
Gabby Sanabria, a management business student, offered an improvement suggestion for professors in 2023.

With the winter break on the horizon, another year has come and gone. As the end of 2022 draws nearer, it is a time to both reflect on the year that has passed and look forward to the year that is approaching.

Students have had to adapt to the challenges presented by 2022. A surge in cost of living has made life increasingly less affordable. Public transportation has left much to be desired. Campus parking remains costly. Lasting anxieties of isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic linger.

And yet, through the trials and tribulations, there is cause for hope.

A return to on-campus learning has been a source of celebration for many, as hallways now bustle with activity. The college’s sports teams have been on a tear, with the women’s basketball team yet to be defeated. Students in every faculty continue to innovate and contribute to their communities.

With so much for students to look forward to — and for some, to be apprehensive about — the Algonquin Times talked to students to find out what they would like to see improved in their lives in 2023.

Here is what they said.

 

 

https://twitter.com/robertoijozef/status/1602378105280159744

Featured Story | News
2023 | Covid-19 | Inflation | Parking | Reflection | Students | Transportation

Connor Lalande

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Connor Lalande

Badminton intramural tournament smashes into action

An intramural doubles badminton tournament had college students in full swing last week. The one-day tournament on Dec. 9 brought teams of students to play badminton throughout the day. Stephanie […]
Online Editor
Photos: Stephane Gunner
December 12, 2022
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm
Photo: Stephane Gunner
Algonquin College badminton players at the ARC rec gym.

An intramural doubles badminton tournament had college students in full swing last week.

The one-day tournament on Dec. 9 brought teams of students to play badminton throughout the day.

Stephanie Rheaume, the campus recreation coordinator for the Students’ Association, said the intramural doubles badminton tournament guaranteed students three games in the round-robin and before the crossover semifinals and the finals.

“It’s a little bit more loosey-goosey and people should have fun that way without the stress and pressure of too much competition but still having that competition with an award at the end,” she said.

Rheaume expects the intramural badminton tournament to bring more participation to the game and for students to have fun, especially with an honorary system without officials.

Second-year police foundations student Ishan Duggal of Ottawa said he just had his first game. It’s exciting and fun how Algonquin College is doing community events such as tournaments and intramurals, Duggal said.

“I can speak on behalf of the badminton community — we really enjoy it and we’re looking forward to the tournaments that are coming up,” Duggal said. “It’s a perfect time to release and have fun.”

An international student from India, Joyad Joseph, who is in his second year of interactive media, said there were many teams available to play.

“We have a lot of talented players, we meet new players and we have many techniques to learn from them,” said Joseph. “We have people all around the world and we can say we like each one of them. They have their styles and tactics.”

Abel Roney, also from the interactive media program, said the tournament is special.

“Everyone is bringing their A-game and it’s exciting to see everyone around here,” he said. “Every couple of days, every week, you can come out and meet people. You need to find your people and be good at it.”

Rheaume said there would be one or two more tournaments next semester — one at the beginning and one at the end.

“We don’t have a league yet. That is something that I’ve considered doing. It’s just a little bit harder with limited numbers. For instance, I have teams for my other sports, bringing in many students, but we offer open badminton on Wednesday and Friday mornings,” she said.

Featured Story | Sports & Recreation
Algonquin college | Badminton | Intramural | Police foundations | SA | Students' association | Tournament

Online Editor

The Algonquin Times is a newspaper produced by journalism and advertising students for the Algonquin College community. Follow us on social media! Algonquin Times Twitter Twitter (Events & Promos) Facebook Facebook (Events & Promos) Instagram Snapchat

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Pre-service firefighter students fill boots for the Food Cupboard

Pre-service firefighter students are back fundraising for the college’s Food Cupboard serving the Woodroffe, Pembroke and Perth campuses. The three-day Boot Drive ends on Dec. 9. Students have been fundraising […]
Online Editor
Photos: Stephane Gunner
December 8, 2022
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm
Photo: Stephane Gunner
Pre-service firefighter students having been fundraising for the Food Cupboard during their annual Boot Drive at the Woodroffe campus.

Pre-service firefighter students are back fundraising for the college’s Food Cupboard serving the Woodroffe, Pembroke and Perth campuses.

The three-day Boot Drive ends on Dec. 9. Students have been fundraising on their lunch breaks.

Cheryl E. Hardwick, a full-time instructor in the police and public safety institute, said the Boot Drive started in 2018, two years before COVID-19 was first reported in Canada.

“During COVID, we took a break – so yeah, this will be their third year in total,” Hardwick said.

“It’s fun to do these things and to work together. (The students are) super proud to walk around on campus and talk to people, especially if they get to wear their bunker gear,” Hardwick said with a smile. “To raise money is just a good initiative altogether.”

Pre-service firefighter student Alex Landry, 20, of Sudbury said it’s common for people, including students, to start fundraising programs to assist people, especially during the holiday season.

“I know for myself I live with my partner and we’re both in college. So money is tight for some parts of the year. So doing this, I feel very empathetic towards other students (with) the same struggle,” Landry said. “Doing this Boot Drive is important, people shouldn’t be ashamed of having struggles, especially with money and food, especially in this day and age because inflation is rising very high.”

Another pre-service firefighter student, Jacob Pritchard, 21, of Montreal, said the Boot Drive is for students that do not feel comfortable with the food they have.

“We have a lot of very generous people and we’re thankful for that, very thankful to have people donate the way they are because I wasn’t expecting to get to this point,” Pritchard said.

Liam Brewer, 19, of Orléans, who is also in the pre-service firefighter program, said he has done a good deal of volunteering through coaching with his mother for the Gloucester-Cumberland Wolverines and volunteering many hours before the Boot Drive.

“We’ve already gotten a good deal of great people coming in and donating money,” Brewer said. “This is my first time going around Algonquin asking for donations, but I’m hoping it goes well.”

Hardwick said the main message for the Boot Drive is that this is an example of what students can do as a team to help others. The fire service often does charity and community events as part of the career and culture, so the Boot Drive is a great way for students to get involved in their community.

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Algonquin college | Algonquin times | Annual Boot Drive | Charity | Covid-19 | Donations | Empathy | Food cupboard | Fundraiser | Fundraising | Pembroke campus | Perth campus | Pre-service firefighing program | Students' association | Volunteering | Woodroffe campus

Online Editor

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College community commemorates anniversary of École Polytechnique massacre

Students gathered at the Student Commons to pay their respects to the victims of gendered violence on the anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre. Some students stopped at the booth […]
Myriam Landreville
Photos: Myriam Landreville
December 7, 2022
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm
Photo: Myriam Landreville
Students colour a collective art piece in memory of the victims of the École Polytechnique massacre.

Students gathered at the Student Commons to pay their respects to the victims of gendered violence on the anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre.

Some students stopped at the booth to ask what was happening and were shocked to learn of the massacre that happened 33 years ago.

On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 women were killed at L’École Polytechnique in Montreal after a gunman entered the school citing he was there to fight feminism.

The anniversary of the shooting has been designated the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Project Lighthouse, the college’s sexual harm reduction organization, hosted the memorial.

Sarah Crawford, the manager of sexual violence prevention, harm reduction and wellness for Algonquin College, organized the event.

“It is important to acknowledge the fact that gendered violence has not ended and that we still see lots of gendered violence in our community,” said Crawford. “Whether being sexual assault or intimated partner violence.”

The event had a postcard station for individuals to write a pledge to themselves as to what they can do to end gendered violence. The postcards will be mailed to them on International Women’s Day on March 8.

Students also had an opportunity to leave their marks on a collective art piece, which had 14 roses for each of the victims. The art piece will be hung at The Beacon, a peer support centre at the college.

Students colour the art
Students colour the collective art piece in memory of the victims of the École Polytechnique massacre. Photo credit: Myriam Landreville

Taylor Hogle, a community and justice services student who volunteered at the event, explained why she participated. “We want to raise awareness since a lot of people don’t even know this happened,” she said.

Jackie Tenute, the college’s Indigenous counsellor, started the ceremony with a traditional Indigenous smudging to help get rid of the negative energy.

The event concluded with a walk accompanied by Indigenous drums and the singing of the Indigenous strong women song while volunteers held pictures of the victims.

Featured Story | News
Anniversary

Myriam Landreville

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Wolves women’s volleyball team serves up win ahead of Christmas break

The Algonquin Wolves women’s volleyball team spiked its way past the Centennial College Colts, winning 3-0 at home on Dec. 3 in its final game before the Christmas break. The […]
Tyler Major-Mcnicol
Photos: Tyler Major-Mcnicol
December 6, 2022
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm
Photo: Tyler Major-Mcnicol
Lauren Ebert is all business ahead of her serve.

The Algonquin Wolves women’s volleyball team spiked its way past the Centennial College Colts, winning 3-0 at home on Dec. 3 in its final game before the Christmas break.

The Wolves were firing on all cylinders through the first two sets, winning both in almost identical fashion.

The first set finished 25-10 and the Wolves were not ready to slow down their winning ways heading into the second set. They served up a 25-11 win and were looking untouchable leading into the third and final set, with an opportunity to clinch the match in straight sets.

“I think our intensity was pretty good all considered,” said head coach Everton Senior. “We played Fleming last week and now Centennial this week, and they’re a rebuilding team. I think they only have two returning players, so we expected a little bit of scrappiness from them and the key was for us to stay focused and control the ball on our side and I think for the most part we did that.”

The third set featured a series of back-and-forth two-point leads and for the first time in the matchup, the Wolves looked like they were feeling pressure. Ultimately they proved too strong for the Colts, ending the third set 25-18, putting an end to any comeback plans for the visitors.

“It’s pretty easy to let your mind wander when you’re in the mindset that you can win the match at any point,” said Senior about the adversity his squad faced in the third set.

“And we had a few players on that don’t play as much, but that’s not an excuse. They need to be focused from point one to the final point of the match, and I think a few of the players got excited about playing different positions so that’s sort of where their mindset was at instead of focusing on the game itself.”

Wolves women celebrate the set-clinching point
Wolves women celebrate a set-clinching point. Photo credit: Tyler Major-Mcnicol

“I feel like the team was getting super hyped, but you just have to tune everything else out and remember to keep battling for the coach and the team,” said Lauren Ebert, who plays on the right and left sides.

The Wolves are now off until Jan. 14 with some time to rest tired bodies and shift their focus to the new year and their next opponent, Fleming.

“We just have to refresh. We have a lot of banged-up bodies so we want to get ourselves healthy,” said Senior. “We lost one of our starters with an ankle sprain a few matches back and she won’t be back for the rest of the season so we’re trying to figure out what is going to be our best lineup going forward, so that’s sort of where our mind is at.”

Some rest and recuperation are in order, but the focus is all business even though there’s a significant gap before the Wolves play again.

“We’re just hoping to come back swinging,” said Ebert.

With their second consecutive three-set win, after beating Fleming 3-0 in their previous match, the Wolves moved to a record of 6-4, good for fifth in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association’s East division.

Featured Story | Sports & Recreation
Athletics | Volleyball | Women's volleyball

Tyler Major-Mcnicol

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Dental hygiene students show heart on free dental care day

Dental hygiene students at Algonquin College hosted a free dental care event called Heart of the Matter as part of their capstone project on Dec. 3. “We put together a […]
Elio Elia
Photos: Elio Elia
December 5, 2022
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm
Photo: Elio Elia
"It's definitely great to see so many people that don't get preventative dental care are able to have that free of charge," student Jenna Mitchell said.

Dental hygiene students at Algonquin College hosted a free dental care event called Heart of the Matter as part of their capstone project on Dec. 3.

“We put together a free dental care day for low-income individuals who don’t qualify for government support programs but don’t necessarily have the disposable income to go to a private office and pay for their health care,” said Jenna Mitchell, a dental hygiene student and the head of the project.

The event had not been hosted by the students since the start of the pandemic and six students were chosen to bring it back as part of their opportunity to do outreach through their capstone project.

“We organized it from the beginning, from getting donations for products to getting volunteers, to getting referrals for clients from Ottawa Public Health,” Mitchell, 25, said.

The project prepares students for reaching out to people in their community to provide the right dental care.

“It’s definitely been a great experience. It has given us the community outreach and the skills of just communicating with people and an opportunity to work with a group of individuals we don’t typically work with,” Mitchell said.

While the students involved were required to host the event, the opportunity to help people within their community added a layer of satisfaction.

“It’s definitely great to see so many people that don’t get preventative dental care are able to have that free of charge,” Mitchell said. “So many of these people haven’t had cleanings before, haven’t had the care, and being able to treat these people while amongst our peers and classmates is greatly fulfilling.”

These dental hygiene students were two weeks from graduation, where they will be writing their board exams and heading into the workforce.

Mitchell believes projects like Heart of the Matter prepare students for the transition.

“I feel well-prepared going into the workforce. It’s definitely a crazy time, but I’m excited to get out there,” Mitchell said.

Featured Story | News
Community | Dental hygiene

Elio Elia

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Elio Elia

College doesn’t need to implement mask mandate right now, president says

As cases for respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 are on the rise, there has been a lot of discussion on whether masking mandates should return in Ontario schools. At At […]
Elio Elia
Photos: Elio Elia
December 5, 2022
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm
Photo: Elio Elia
“I’m not saying it be necessary in more open spaces, but in enclosed areas such as schools it would be best to bring masking back," said Dr. Assad Al-Hindawi.

As cases for respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 are on the rise, there has been a lot of discussion on whether masking mandates should return in Ontario schools.

At At Algonquin College, it is unlikely students and staff will be required to mask up anytime soon.

“We’re not at this stage yet where we need to make this a mandate. Mandates have a connotation and it brings in people certain feelings,” Algonquin College president Claude Brulé said at a press conference at the college on Nov. 18.

Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario Dr. Kieran Moore has recently recommended indoor masking for Ontario citizens, but no provincial mandate has been set as of yet.

In Ottawa specifically, a motion to introduce mandatory masking in schools fell through after a 6-6 vote on the subject by the trustees of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board on Nov. 24. This came after two nights of debates and weeks of meetings at the OCDSB, which still recommends students, teachers and staff wear masks when attending school.

According to Algonquin College family physician Dr. Assad Al-Hindawi, masking should make a return to schools so that the health services can be relieved from the overwhelming amount of cases.

“There is a massive rise in COVID-19 cases and other respiratory illnesses such as influenza across Ontario, and this is exhausting the health services in Ontario,” said Dr. Al-Hindawi.

“With this in mind, there is evidence to support that masking helps reduce the cases, and therefore I think people wearing masks indoors would be beneficial to the health services of Ontario,” he continued.

“I’m not saying it be necessary in more open spaces, but in enclosed areas such as schools it would be best to bring masking back.”

Despite the motion failing at the OCDSB, masking is likely a topic that will continue to be debated.

Brulé said the college makes decisions based on the data available and it’s comfortable with its decisions thus far.

“For me, I would want this to be something that comes from the province or from Ottawa Public Health. We would want make sure we on solid footing before we invoke something like that,” Brulé said.

Featured Story | News
Claude Brule | Covid-19 | Flu | Masks

Elio Elia

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Wolves women dominate in straight-sets win against Fleming

The first half of the season for the Algonquin Wolves women’s volleyball team has emulated a yo-yo. In their six matches before hosting the Fleming Knights on Nov. 26, the […]
Kolbe Devaux
Photos: Kolbe Devaux
December 5, 2022
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm
Photo: Kolbe Devaux
Kieran Raymo digs out a serve while Sabaath Mannucci (background) and Faith Billaney (foreground) look on.

The first half of the season for the Algonquin Wolves women’s volleyball team has emulated a yo-yo.

In their six matches before hosting the Fleming Knights on Nov. 26, the Wolves had won three and lost three and their season record was 5-5.

They also had the misfortune of losing one of their starters in the lead-up to their away trip to Canadore, a game they went on to lose.

For head coach Everton Senior, the loss played a massive part in that result and in their performance against the Knights.

“We had a significant injury going into Canadore the day before that match,” he said. “It threw our sync off. We were playing some pretty good ball and it messed up our starting line. We went in really flat and didn’t have a good game.”

“Coming into today we’re playing a team that’s kind of finding their way and they struggle a little bit with ball control. That makes it difficult for our team to get some continuity. My emphasis was for the girls to focus on our side and control what we do.”

Early in the first set, the Knights held a 5-4 advantage, but the hosts scored nine of the next 10 points to lead 13-6. They maintained their seven-point lead until late in the set when the Knights closed to within three. The Wolves scored the next two points to take the set 25 -20 and lead in the match.

The second set saw the Wolves start well and build another seven-point lead, 19-12, before the Knights scored their 13th and last point of the set. The Wolves proceeded to score the next six consecutive points and won the set 25-13, taking a 2-0 lead in sets.

Hanna Tuinstra serves against the Fleming Knights in front of the Wolves bench.
Hanna Tuinstra serves against the Fleming Knights in front of the Wolves bench. Photo credit: Kolbe Devaux

For middle Kristina Renwick, the challenge of incorporating different players was exciting.

“I think it was really great that we were able to use a bunch of our players today,” she said. “We tried a couple of different lineups that we don’t usually do, had some people in that don’t usually play and I think we came into it with a really great mindset of just being ready to go.”

Like in the second set, the Wolves started well, holding up a 10-5 lead at the first Knights’ timeout in the set, and an 18-12 lead at the Knights’ second timeout in the set. After the second timeout, the hosts stayed the course, winning the set 25-16, and taking the victory 3-0 in sets.

The Wolves have one more game before the semester break, a home match against the Centennial Colts.

“We always want to finish off the semester with a bang and hopefully gain some momentum going into next semester. It’ll be nice to get some momentum going into some tough matches in January. I think we’re in a really good position right now to end in a spot we will be happy with,” said Renwick.

The win meant the Wolves’ record moved back above .500 at 5-4 on the season. They remained in fifth place in the Ontario College Athletics Association’s East Division

Featured Story | Sports & Recreation
Fleming | Wolves | Women's volleyball

Kolbe Devaux

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Kolbe Devaux

Wolves men streak late in fifth set for win

In their penultimate match of the semester, the Wolves overcame a mistake-riddled performance to claim victory against the Fleming Knights in front of a raucous home crowd. The hosts played […]
Kolbe Devaux
Photos: Kolbe Devaux
December 4, 2022
Revised: January 30, 2024 3:36pm
Photo: Kolbe Devaux
Jeff Commerford spikes the ball against the Fleming Knights as Warner Jaworski and Martin Janega look on.

In their penultimate match of the semester, the Wolves overcame a mistake-riddled performance to claim victory against the Fleming Knights in front of a raucous home crowd.

The hosts played their best volleyball to close out the fifth set and snatch what appeared to be an unlikely victory on Nov. 26.

“It’s clear to see that not everything went right tonight,” said head coach Jelle Kooijman. “The team just showed a lot of heart, a lot of good competitiveness. They just kept playing, kept in it, kept believing so I’m just going to enjoy the fact that we were able to pull something out.”

For Liam Arnold-Paquette, an outside, the chaotic nature of his team’s performance comes down to effort.

“We tend to come out with the right intentions and the right ideas,” he said. “But as we get up and we get comfortable we start to let off and in our league there are no opponents who will let us take the game for free. We need to show up and execute.”

The first set saw an even contest until the Wolves opened a 15-11 lead. They extended their advantage to nine points and claimed the set 25-16. However, they dropped the second set when the Knights returned the favour, pulling away late in the set and sealing it 25-19.

The Knights then started the third set strongly but the Wolves came back, opened a late lead and clinched the set 25-19, putting them ahead at two sets to one.

Once again, the Knights started the following set strongly and they opened a late lead, after the Wolves came back, to clinch the set 25-17 and tie the match up at two sets all.

In the deciding set, the visitors repeated their strong starts and were just three points from victory at 12-9 when the Wolves called a timeout. The Knights never won another point after that.

“We often talk about playing with courage and I think in that moment we unlocked playing with courage. We go for it, we do exactly what we planned and we execute our game. When we do that, we’re a really good volleyball team and we can pick up a lot of points,” said Kooijman.

The Wolves scored six straight points, three each on either side of a Knights timeout, to turn a frustrating, error-filled performance into a sensational win.

Arnold-Paquette agreed with his coach’s assessment.

“I think that’s something we’re very capable of way more often than we end up doing it,” he said. “Being able to play at the level we know we can for the whole game, that’s something we’ve struggled with all season but we’re slowly getting better at it.”

The bounce-back win kept the Wolves in third place in the Ontario College Athletics Association’s East Division with a 6-3 record after nine games. The Wolves were next scheduled to play the Centennial Colts on Dec. 3.

Featured Story | Sports & Recreation
Men's volleyball | Wolves

Kolbe Devaux

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Kolbe Devaux
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