Students find inner peace amidst exam stress with a relaxing outdoor yoga session
Aicha Chamor
Photos: Aicha Chamor
September 5, 2024 Revised: September 5, 2024 4:02pm
Photo: Aicha Chamor
Students practise yoga in the sunshine.
Algonquin College hosted an outdoor yoga event, offering students a chance to de-stress and connect with nature.
The event, held on August 13 in the horticulture garden of the M-building, featured two sessions, each led by experienced yoga instructor Ro Nwosu, owner of Union 108 yoga studio in Arnprior.
The first session took place from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., followed by a second session from 12 p.m.to 12:45 p.m.
With 15 years of experience guiding people towards a deeper connection with themselves, Nwosu is known for her calming presence and encouraging demeanour. She emphasizes the importance of movement in general, highlighting yoga as a powerful tool for self-awareness.
“Yoga is another form and it does give so many great spaces to learn more about yourself, learn more about your connection to your breath and your connection to your mind, and your connection to your body,” said Nwosu.
The event drew in a diverse group of around 10 students, eager to experience the benefits of yoga in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Xiaojun Ma, a web development and internet application student from China, said, “I love yoga but I’ve never been into outdoor yoga. I think it’s a great chance to just experience it. I would definitely try that again.”
The event provided a unique opportunity for students to connect with nature while practising yoga. The serene garden setting, with its lush greenery and calming atmosphere, provided a welcome respite from busy campus life.
“I love the fountain. It’s so beautiful, and seeing it during the poses made the experience even more special,” said Priya Patel, a student in the computer engineering technology program.
Rebecca Lafontaine, events program coordinator with the AC Hub, said that the event was born from a desire to support student well-being. “We know how stressful exam season can be,” she said. “So we wanted to offer students a chance to de-stress, reconnect with themselves, and prioritize their health.”
The team researched popular student interests, ultimately deciding on an outdoor yoga session as a way to promote mindfulness and self-care in a beautiful and accessible setting.
Nwosu offered advice for those new to yoga: “Bring someone. I think it’s always great to bring a friend with you to connect in that space. Ask all the questions and make sure that the place you’re going to or the person you are going with really speaks to you and it’s something that you actually want to jump into. Start small, like it’s a journey and exploration, and it takes time.
The event offered a variety of smoothies, including a refreshing pineapple mango flavour and a berry blast containing yogurt and milk to help participants refresh and cool off.
Over 100 students took the field at evening trials
James Gray
Photos: James Gray
September 4, 2024 Revised: September 5, 2024 3:56pm
Photo: James Gray
A heavily-contested ball during the Talent I.D Camp scrimmages.
For those who wish to join Algonquin’s varsity soccer teams, the first opportunity came in tryouts held at Z-building on August 12.
But of the 72 men who showed up to “Talent I.D Camp”, only about 15 were left on the field by the end.
And they’re still not on the Wolves team. They must go through the three-week training process, then contend with newcomers from the second tryout on Sept. 3.
Fewer women showed up— 30 in total— but their training camp was no less grueling, with work on a full exercise routine, passing drills and defensive tactics practice.
“You gotta be able to execute even when you’re tired,” said Basil Phillips, head coach of the women’s team.
Both teams will be making further cuts during the training period before Sept. 3. Then the rosters will be announced before the first games on Sept. 8.
Kieran Spring, assistant coach of the men’s team and an Algonquin graduate, said they usually take between 22 and 25 players but “we don’t aim for a golden number.” Up to 18 players can be registered for a single match.
“We always get a lot of interest in the team. Soccer is the world’s most-played sport for good reason. We get players of all calibres [at the tryouts],” he commented earlier. “We’re happy with the ability of the players that came out today.”
This includes players from last year, as all must re-try-out each year.
Yousef Ibrahim, a game development student and two-year veteran of Wolves soccer, said: “You might have a better chance because you know the system, but you have to earn your spot each year. The coaches mentioned no-one’s 100 per cent guaranteed.”
Ibrahim recalled that he initially got on the team through a September tryout rather than the August one. He was given a trial period, impressed the coaches and was then fully registered.
After the men warmed up, the field was split into two (via rolling goal structures) and nine-on-nine games started on each half. After everyone played, the coaches cut about 20 of them. Then the remaining players were sent back out. This happened twice more, with a coach shaking the hand of each eliminated person.
“I was just here for fun, but if I wanted to get in the team, I’d say [it would be] difficult,” said Rabin Khatri, who was eliminated in the first round.
Gabe Taylor, eliminated in the second round, commented that he may have been at a disadvantage because he’s only 18, while many contestants were older than that. He intends to stick with the sport and play intramural soccer in the fall.
Ibrahim said that the most important qualities of a soccer player are “good basics, an open mind to play and good physique.”
Cristian Aviles-Molina, the men’s captain from last year, agreed on the importance of “simple things like ‘Can you pass the ball?’,” but also spoke of the need for “IQ, to be able to think ahead. Not just pass to get rid of the ball.”
And as for the Wolves’ future chances, both Aviles-Molina and Spring are optimistic.
Aviles-Molina commented: “We’re still a young team but if everyone’s mindset is aligned, then I feel like we can achieve everything… every year I feel like our core group gets smaller [via students graduating], but every year there are people coming in because of our reputation for soccer.”
“Historically, at Algonquin, we’ve had national-championship-winning teams,” said Spring. “I think that has to be our goal every year.”
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Algonquin students facing extreme heat are demanding solutions and raising awareness about climate change’s impact on their education
Aicha Chamor
Photos: Aicha Chamor
August 1, 2024 Revised: August 1, 2024 4:04pm
Photo: Aicha Chamor
Ottawa has seen a streak of extremely hot days this summer, often exceeding 30°C with blazing sun
Over the past few days, temperatures in Ottawa reached a scorching 30-32°C, with forecasts predicting more of the same through the end of the week. For many students, this heat is proving to be a major challenge.
“It’s really tough to get anything done when it’s this hot,” said Simran Vora, a business development and sales student from India. Even though she’s used to high temperatures up to 40°C back home, Vora finds the climate in Canada to be even more intense and draining.
She said that the heat seems to affect her skin and body more directly, saying, “I don’t know if it’s the humidity or something else, but I just can’t escape the feeling of the heat beating down on me.”
Kayla Johnston, an interactive media design student, also struggles with the heat and tries to avoid it as much as she can. She admits that when she does get overheated, it feels overwhelming and uncomfortable.
Additionally, she noted that some of the older campus buildings (such as A-building) lack adequate air conditioning, further contributing to discomfort on hot days.
“It makes me not want to have classes at one of these buildings,” said Johnston.
Lois Caracas, level 2 public relations student, said: "We have to find creative places to sit down outside because the heat is so bad. Being on the grass, shaded by the trees helps us cool down" Photo credit: Aicha Chamor
Mateo Guariguala Arrogo, a sustainability-minded student of practical nursing, is trying to do his part to combat climate change, which he sees as the root cause of the heatwave.
“I’m making a real effort to use public transportation, walk or bike whenever I can,” Arrogo said. “We all need to do our part to reduce emissions and help slow down global warming.”
Katrina Evan, a level 2 environmental management and assessment student, conveyed her frustration not just about the lack of urgent action on climate change, but also about the heatwave and its impact on students.
“As someone studying this issue, I know it’s important for us to recognize how serious extreme heat can be,” she said. “Heat waves are becoming the new normal, and it’s vital that we take steps to protect ourselves.”
Evan said that scientific data and viable solutions are available, governments and other organizations just need the will to implement them at both the individual level and within their communities.
She urged her fellow students to take precautions during these challenging times.
Students should seek shade and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated during the heat wave Photo credit: Aicha Chamor
“Stay hydrated, find cooler spaces, and take breaks when you can. Don’t underestimate how dangerous heat can be.”
Projects on display show students' hard work in seven AC programs
Agrani Tiwari
Photos: Duane McNair vice president, finance and Administration with Joy Fidelis Ugbong, Abhinav Jain, Revati Hardikar, Mayank Mayank, Albin John Joseph and Philip Dave director applied research Photo credit
August 1, 2024 Revised: August 1, 2024 3:58pm
Photo: Duane McNair vice president, finance and Administration with Joy Fidelis Ugbong, Abhinav Jain, Revati Hardikar, Mayank Mayank, Albin John Joseph and Philip Dave director applied research Photo credit
Left to right
First prize in the 2024 Applied Research Project Showcase went to a deep dive into Canada’s airline industry.
Forty-nine booths showcased various projects that students from seven different programs have worked on for months. The projects ranged from websites to robotic machines.
The project then outlined a theoretical website, Inform-Me-Right, which could inform people about their rights and what to do in the event of difficulties.
Second place went toLit3D Lithophane Visualization & Generation System, an innovative digital previewer for lithophane designers used in 3D printing. Third place went to Interactive Data to Understand Data, a chatbot that can summarize various datasets.
The winning teams posing on stage after the awards were given Photo credit: Agrani Tiwari
Another such project was The Aerospace Experience 2025, done in partnership with the Canada Space and Aviation Museum and the CARTAMS (Centre for Advanced Research and Training in Aerospace, Mobility and Space).
“They’re doing an educational program right now named ‘Aerospace Experiences’ and they’re going to do this yearly,” said Maria Bernal, an interactive media design student and one of the team members. “We proposed to do a website for them where they can put all the resources, all the information about the project and all the programs that they want to focus on for the pathways and careers for all the students. Especially for the high school students right now in Ottawa, but they’re also looking to expand around Canada for that.”
The Aerospace Experience 2025 project members explaining their project to the judges Photo credit: Agrani Tiwari
The projects were judged in three categories: technical competency, client and team interaction, and communication. The judges were a mix of Algonquin professors [not from programs presenting the projects] and professionals from the relevant industries.
“The one thing that I’m always looking at as a judge, is to make sure that they’re explaining [their project] to me in simple terms,” said judge Farbod Karimi, dean of the AC Online department.
The team that created Interactive Data to Understand Data said they were surprised at their standing because they didn’t expect to be on the podium.
“Unexpected would be the right word for us, we didn’t even have the resources to present it very well, we didn’t get a chance to showcase it on a monitor or something,” said Vasant Dave, one of the team members. “We still did our job, and we didn’t expect anything, but thank you to the Algonquin team and our professors.”
Programs were involved in the showcase were Business Intelligence System Infrastructure, Computer Programming, Computer Engineering Technology – Computing Science, Electromechanical Engineering Technician, Interactive Media Design, Interdisciplinary Studies in Human-Centred Design and Robotics and Automation.
With travel and employment scams on the rise in Canada, students are falling victim
Aicha Chamor
Photos: Aicha Chamor
August 1, 2024 Revised: August 1, 2024 2:31pm
Photo: Aicha Chamor
online data
An Algonquin College student lost $450 in a travel scam, and two others nearly fell victim to employment scams.
Sara Aracelly Gomez Jara, a hotel and restaurant operations management student, had been eagerly planning a trip to Vancouver, scouring the internet for the best deals on accommodations.
Her search led her to a travel website offering an unbelievably low-priced package deal for the entire week, including the hotel, for only $450.
The deal supposedly included access to a luxurious hotel property featuring a pool, spa, free drinks and complimentary meals.
“I was so excited for the trip,” Gomez Jara said.
Despite initial doubts, she decided to move forward with the booking and made the $450 payment.
However, Gomez Jara’s excitement quickly turned to dismay when she did not receive any additional information about the promised hotel accommodations.
“I was supposed to receive more information about the room in the hotel, but I received nothing,” she said. “I started to call, but no one replied, and that’s when I realized it was a scam.”
Determined to uncover the truth, Gomez Jara conducted research on the website and discovered that numerous others had fallen victim to the same scheme, with the company stealing their money and providing no services in return.
“I felt really bad because I was saving the money for more than four months, but someone came in less than 10 minutes and stole the money I had set aside,” she said.
A scam message, attempting to lure victims. Photo credit: Aicha Chamor
“I was almost scammed, but my aunt saved me,” said Jewely Joy, a brand management student.
Jewely Joy, a brand management student from India, nearly became a victim of a job scam. “My aunt saved me,” Joy said.
Like many others, she had turned to popular job-seeking websites in search of employment, at the suggestion of friends.
“I was in need of a job,” she said, “so, I decided to try Indeed as a source to find a reliable job.”
This decision nearly proved costly for Joy. After applying for a job posting on Indeed and providing her resume and contact information, she received a message on WhatsApp from someone who claimed to represent a gaming industry company.
They offered her a work-from-home opportunity. “It seemed professional to me,” Joy said.
The conversation progressed, with discussions about salary and other job details. However, the “employer” then sent Joy a link and asked her to click on it and make a payment.
“When I asked why I should pay, they said that’s the company protocol for a home-based job,” she said.
Joy almost went through with the request. “I was new, I had no idea about the scams happening here,” she said. “I wanted to ask my aunt first because I wasn’t feeling comfortable.”
Fortunately, Joy’s aunt, a professor who has been in Canada for years, intervened. She checked online for the company’s name and asked some friends.
“She told me it was a scam and advised me to block the number and not to click on the link,” Joy said.
Melina Muhetaer, a business accounting student, has been in Canada for two years and has become all too familiar with the persistent scam attempts plaguing the country in recent years.
As an international student from China, Muhetaer has experienced firsthand the alarming prevalence of fraudulent phone calls, messages and online schemes targeting unsuspecting victims.
“I’ve never been scammed before, but I know someone who got scammed,” she said.
Muhetaer’s professor back in Toronto had fallen victim to a scam that cost her $6,000.
“She clicked on a link in a text message, and by the time she realized what had happened, it was too late,” Muhetaer said.
“The police said they couldn’t do anything about it because she didn’t report it until one month later.”
As a result, Muhetaer’s professor has now activated a system on her online banking app that sends her a notification every time she makes a transaction, allowing her to closely monitor her finances and quickly detect any suspicious activity.
Muhetaer said that in her home country, the authorities and the government take a more proactive approach to tackling the scam epidemic, with widespread public awareness campaigns and the development of specialized anti-fraud applications.
Unfortunately, the same level of vigilance and technical solutions does not seem to be in place in Canada, according to Muhetaer. She recounted incidents where scammers pretended to be her family member, leaving her feeling vulnerable and unsure of how to protect herself.
“Someone sent me a link on WhatsApp pretending to be my uncle,” she said. “I was shocked because they knew my uncle’s name.”
Muhetaer’s message to fellow students and the broader Canadian public is clear: be vigilant, stay informed and don’t let scammers take advantage of your trust.
“I don’t understand why these scammers can’t just go and look for a job like normal people,” she said. “Why do they have to ruin others’ lives to earn money?”
Students need to beware of employment, travel and banking scams Photo credit: Aicha Chamor
Evan Brownrigg, a Mutual Funds Representative at RBC Bank, urges the public to exercise caution and remain vigilant.
Brownrigg emphasizes that RBC Bank has a robust security system in place that can automatically detect any suspicious activity, such as fraudulent electronic cheques.
“You’ll then have to come with your personal identity proof to reopen it,” he said.
Brownrigg also warns of phishing scams, where a sender pretends to be a person or company you trust in order to gain access to your information.
“If you receive an email that looks real but asks for financial or personal information, contact the sender’s public telephone number to verify its authenticity,” he said.
“Always trust your spam filter,” Brownrigg added. “It knows better than you do.”
National CTV News Toronto police have arrested 10 people and are seeking two more in connection with a fraud ring centred on the “SIM swap” technique. The scam is based […]
Toronto police have arrested 10 people and are seeking two more in connection with a fraud ring centred on the “SIM swap” technique.
The scam is based on the capability of cellphone numbers to be changed from one device’s subscriber identity module (SIM) to another, typically used when someone purchases a new phone and wants to keep their old phone number. However, if a scammer convinces a phone company employee to switch someone else’s phone number to the scammer’s device—typically through either impersonation or bribery— then they will receive all the texts and phone calls intended for the victim.
The scammer can then freely use call- or text-based authentication methods to reset passwords and thereby gain access to the victim’s bank account, email account, etc.
In this particular case, a police detective alleged that the suspects caused over $1 million in damages to “victims, financial institutions and telecom companies.”
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner writes about SIM swap scams: “One of the first signs you may have fallen victim to SIM card swap scam is the sudden loss of cellular phone services, including the inability to make phone calls or send text messages … Some victims will also notice an unexpected text message from their cellular provider that says their cellular phone services are about to be switched to a new provider. Should you notice anything suspicious about your phone, contact your cellular service provider immediately. Ask your service provider about additional security controls which can be placed on your account such as adding a PIN, a passcode or port lock … Avoid sharing cellular phone numbers openly on social media and limit the sharing of any identifying details.”
Ottawa’s beaches will undergo a safety audit from the Lifesaving Society after a nine-year-old boy tragically drowned at Britannia Beach on June 3— the fourth death at that beach since 2020.
The audit will look at things such as lifeguard behaviour, lifeguard availability and physical beach/water conditions. Four beaches will be examined: Britannia, Mooney’s Bay, Petrie Island and Westboro. Afterwards the Society will make recommendations to the municipal government on how to make the beaches safer.
In a coroner’s report released last year, after the third death, it was noted that all three victims were “novice swimmers” or “new arrivals to Canada,” and were wading near a “drop-off area” where the water depth quickly deepens by over two metres. It is unknown if the fourth victim also fit this profile.
The Israel Defence Forces said today that they killed the military leader of Hamas, Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike in Gaza on July 13.
Since 2002, Deif was Chief of Staff of the Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades, the military force of Hamas. (The group is named after 20th century Palestinian preacher and militant Izz ad-Din al-Qassam).
The government of Israel called Deif a planner of the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks that killed over 1,100 Israeli civilians and started the current phase of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Hamas has not commented on this matter. The claim comes just a day after Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, was killed in Iran by an explosion. The Iranian government has accused Israel of having a role in this, while the Israeli government has not commented.
Deif and Haniyeh are the highest-ranking Hamas officials to die since the beginning of the current conflict.
Students and faculty celebrate summer at lively event
Agrani Tiwari
Photos: Agrani Tiwari
August 1, 2024 Revised: August 1, 2024 1:19pm
Photo: Agrani Tiwari
Ithihas Omanakuttan Sheeja (left) and Lauren Larocque (right) at the fresh fruit booth
AC Summerfest was held at the J-building courtyard on Thursday afternoon, July 17, hosted by AC Hub, in partnership with the Algonquin Students’ Association, the International Education Centre and the Student Health & Wellness Zone.
The event included booths offering activities, food and prizes. Students enjoyed the airbrush tattoos booth, flower crown making booth, friendship bracelet making booth and the intentional planting booth. A fresh fruit stall gave out watermelon and pineapple, and a Paws4Stress booth showcased certified therapy dogs for people to unwind and make furry friends with. People could perform tasks at two prize stalls to win AC merch. Attendees could also play games, including mini golf, tic-tac-toe and ring-toss.
Eddie Alleyne played throughout the fest Photo credit: Agrani Tiwari
This year’s Summerfest was packed full of hot weather and summer fun, with live music making the fest even more entertaining.
“My favourite is the vibe, since I came here, it has live music and a lot of activities for people to join,” said Nichapat P. a marketing management student.
Harsimran Gill from the computer programming level 1, enjoyed making flower crowns the most Photo credit: Agrani Tiwari
The fest was supposed to happen on July 10, but got postponed due to bad weather.
“We typically have it in the first week of July, so I’ve been working at it for a few months now, planning everything, booking vendors, getting everything organized, and it has been really fun to organize,” said Samantha Therrien, events officer at AC Hub and the organizer of this event. She said she was glad that people could make it even after the delay.
Jia Hong Shih from the computer programming program won sunglasses after playing the game at the Student Association’s booth Photo credit: Agrani Tiwari
“This is a fun event. It’s like a stress reliever for us, because we are near our final, so there is a lot of requirements,” said Alexa Dela Cruz from business management and entrepreneurship. “This is a good one for us because we can just spend a few hours not worrying about assignments.”
Rod Burns and Apollo from St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs at the Paws4Stress booth Photo credit: Agrani Tiwari
Kunal Arora from the web development and internet application program said that the event was good.
“People meeting each other and networking and having fun is the best,” said Arora.
Free event aimed to help students get to know the city
James Gray
Photos: James Gray
August 1, 2024 Revised: August 1, 2024 12:52pm
Photo: James Gray
Phillip Anderegg ran the scavenger hunt as an employee of Ottawa Walking Tours, though he said his boss wrote the questions—and was very strict about the answers
Algonquin students got to explore Ottawa’s downtown with a free scavenger hunt on July 31.
The event was hosted by the AC Hub in collaboration with the company Ottawa Walking Tours. Students had to travel around Parliament Hill, Sparks Street and Confederation Park in search of information and photos.
“I really want students who maybe aren’t familiar with Downtown to experience it,” said Rebecca Lafontaine, an AC Hub employee who helped organize the event. “I was looking at the various tours, walking tours and bus tours, and I came across the scavenger hunt, which I thought was cool because it had a bit of a competition aspect as well.”
Sparks Street during the scavenger hunt. Most people present seemed to be tourists or office workers Photo credit: James Gray
Organizers gave students a list of questions, ranging from fact-finding (Q: What’s the name of the pub on the corner of Elgin and Sparks Streets? A: D’Arcy McGee’s.) to tricky (Q: Find the hidden symbol on Sparks Street’s streetlights. A: The tulip bases.) Additionally, there were bonus points for taking pictures of non-landmark things such as “a dog being walked” and “a pair of chopsticks.”
The hunt took place on a muggy day with only light rain, despite threatening skies and forecast. Nine students participated, though about 15 had signed up. The event had been postponed a week after severe thunderstorm warnings on the initial date, July 24. The students travelled by bus, had about two hours to explore and were then treated to free Beaver Tail pastries.
“It was good, it was fun,” said level 1 financial management student Tushar Sharma, who was part of the second-place team. He said there isn’t anything he would change about the event.
The winning team: (left to right) Eunice Muga (level 1 practical nursing student), Akshith Reddy (recent graduate of international business management) and Leena Joudah (level 1 occupational therapist assistant student). Phillip Anderegg from Ottawa Walking Tours is in the background Photo credit: James Gray
The scavenger hunt was co-funded by the International Education Centre, which also promoted it on social media.
“Most of the students that come to our events are international,” said AC Hub employee Samantha Therrien, “so the International Education Centre often wants to partner with us.”
As for a sequel hunt, Lafontaine was optimistic. “I think in the fall maybe, when there’s more students on campus and it’s not so hot, we can do another one. If the demand is there, we’ll deliver.”
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Students organize Serenitea workshop to benefit The Royal and promote mental health
Aicha Chamor
Photos: Aicha Chamor
July 26, 2024 Revised: July 26, 2024 11:56am
Photo: Aicha Chamor
Ximena Luna (right),Lokender Singh (centre) and Pratit Singh (left) explaining the game to workshop attendees
The Serenitea mental health workshop, the third event #ShattertheSilence was held on July 23 from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Student Commons by Algonquin College public relations students (ACPR).
The Serenitea workshop was organized by the ACPR team as part of their #ShattertheSilence campaign, which aims to create a welcoming space for people to openly discuss mental health. The workshop offered coffee, tea and brownies to foster a comfortable atmosphere for discussion.
Left to right: Lokeder Singh, Markya Docilhomme, Ximena Luna, Kenyon Elechi, Navjot Singh and Pratit Singh, organizers of the event, with Tatanisha Rigga (Second from left) equity, diversity and inclusion coordinator of Student Associations Photo credit: Aicha Chamor
“If you want to start a conversation with a friend, the first step is always having a coffee,” said Lokender Singh, a member of the group organizing the event.
The student organizers collaborated extensively on all aspects of the Serenitea workshop, from production and setup to facilitating the day’s events. Their efforts are part of a broader partnership with The Royal Mental Health Care Centre.
“I think they’re doing a fantastic job for themselves and also for their client the Royal, and more importantly they are highlighting the value of having those conversations to shatter the silence about mental health,” said Bradley Moseley-Williams, a professor and coordinator of public relations program.
Throughout the workshop, more than 30 attendees engaged in interactive games, including question cards to learn more about supporting mental health. The ACPR students also shared tips about mental health and reminded attendees about the services available at Algonquin College.
Zing Zhang, an animation student, was passing through the student commons when he noticed the event, approached the ACPR students and heard about the concept and purpose behind the activity.
” I donated because I know how mental health is important for students, especially for international students,” said Zhang.
Sunjung Byun, an accounting student at Algonquin College, said, ”Mental health is a very important thing for human beings and I feel so lucky to attend this event,”
Algonquin Colege's students show their support by donating money to the Royal Photo credit: Aicha Chamor
“The money that ACPR campaigns give to non-profits, in this case the Royal, are always given with no strings attached,” said Lois Caracas, a level 2 public relations student. “This means that it’s up to the Royal to allocate the funds where they know they most need it.”
The two cards will become one, starting next semester
James Gray
Photos: James Gray
July 25, 2024 Revised: July 25, 2024 3:39pm
Photo: James Gray
Students board an outbound bus at one of Algonquin's two bus stops, across the street from residence
Algonquin’s AC card and U-Pass card will be replaced by a new merged card in the upcoming fall semester.
The new card will continue to provide free passage on Ottawa public transit, access to the gym in X-building and optionally to pay at college-run cafeterias and all other functions of the two cards.
The merged card will also take over the AC Cash system, which allows discounted purchases at college-run restaurants Photo credit: James Gray
Additionally, the new card will not need to be renewed at the Card Services office as U-Passes must currently be.
Existing cards will cease to function on September 1.
Students will be able to get their new card from the office on E-building’s ground floor, room E120, or a second help desk in the D-building cafeteria. These will open on Aug. 12, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and continue into an unknown date in the fall. No appointment is needed to get this card.
The name of the new card is currently unknown. But similar merges will take place at Ottawa’s other post-secondary institutions.
Incoming students are reminded to submit a photograph of themselves for the card before coming to pick it up. Students who have already done so do not need a new photo for the new card.
The Card Services office in room E120 manufactures student cards, U-Passes, and soon, the merged card Photo credit: James Gray
Algonquin students’ reactions to the news were mixed to positive. Rohan Mulchandani, a level 2 event management student, said he likes the concept but would disapprove of an increase to the fee to replace a lost card. However, a representative of Card Services said that the fee will remain the same.
Other students commented:
“It’s kind of annoying that I have to go pick [the new card] up. I don’t really use my student card, just my U-Pass. But I guess it might be easier to just carry the one card.”Christina Hollands, level 2 web development and internet applications student.
“I think it would be helpful, less of a hassle.” Casper Waterman, level 1 community and justice services student.
“I’m not a student anymore, but yeah, I think it would help.”Brad Beekmans, graduate of the music industry arts program and employee at Algonquin’s theatre.
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