On The Record Podcast: Recent Episodes
On The Record
This podcast is produced by students in the undergraduate and graduate programs at the School of Journalism at TMU.
It’s no secret, finding a place to live in the GTA is no easy feat. Juggling housing costs and commuter times is not for the faint of heart, yet TMU students do it every day. This week, On The Record is exploring an issue near and dear to TMU students’ hearts: where – and how – can we possibly afford to live here? To give us some valuable context and help answer our questions, we’ve enlisted three expert voices on this week’s episode: TMU Data Science and Real Estate Management professor Murtaza Haider, House Canada spokesperson Nathi Zamisa, and acting manager at City of Toronto housing secretariat Sara Korosi. The Academic Housing Strategy is still in the works, and a survey is open for GTA students who want to have their voices heard.
This episode was produced by Emily Zhang, Kinza Zafar, Sena Law and Sierra Edwards and features theme music by Almost Barely called “Letting Go”.
CreditsHosts: Emily Zhang & Sena Law
Streeter producer: Sierra Edwards
Episode producer: Kinza Zafar
Theme music by Almost Barely.
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Read the transcriptC’s might get degrees, but is doing the bare minimum to graduate a smart decision for your future career? Join Bashair Ali and Nicole Lim in this episode of the On The Record podcast as they investigate the wins and woes of “quiet quitting” at the academic level. With insights from TMU alumn Lily Roberti and Costa Ploumis, a Recruitment Manager. We asked them if the “just enough” mentality has an impact on career prospects, skill development, and job satisfaction.
This episode was hosted by Bashair Ali & Nicole Lim, and produced by Kiera Osborne and Wyatt Gilliland. The theme music for this episode is by Almost Barely and is called “Letting Go.” We interviewed Lily Roberti and Costa Ploumis this week, and the streeters were provided by the rest of the newsroom at OTR.
CreditsHosts: Nicole Lim & Bashair Ali
Streeter producer: Kiera Osborne
Episode producer: Wyatt Gilliland
Theme music by Almost Barely.
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Read the transcriptToday, we’re diving into a topic that doesn’t get talked about enough at TMU; the trades sector. Is university a worthy investment of your time and money, or is it worth considering going into a trade instead? And more importantly, which path will guarantee you employment after graduation? In a city where finding a job is becoming an increasing challenge, are the trades a better choice? Have the stereotypes about working as a plumber, or a hairdresser or anyone in the trades changed enough? We try to answer those questions in this episode of the OTR podcast by talking to Patrick Rooney, an electrician and professor of skilled trades at George Brown College and Ashley Hind, a Toronto hairstylist.
This episode was produced by Claire Dufourd, Olga Bergmans, and Dima Mironov, and features theme music by Almost Barely called “Letting Go”.
CreditsHosts: Olga Bergmans & Claire Dufourd
Streeter producer: Claire Dufourd
Episode producer: Dima Mironov
Theme music by Almost Barely.
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Read the transcriptFrom catching up on Z’s to staying on top of course work, reading week means something different to each student around campus. In this week’s podcast on OTR, our hosts Abbie North and S Saadeq Ahmed are looking into whether a reading week is really a time for students to unwind and relax. Featuring interviews from University of Toronto psychiatry professor Roger McIntyre, and Jade Cruz, a First-Year Academic Services and Success Facilitator for engineering students, we’ve got multiple viewpoints for this week’s episode. Various TMU community members can also be heard giving us their opinions. Make sure you turn in to learn more!
CreditsHosts: S. Saadeq Ahmed & Abbie North
Streeter producer: Matt Katzman
Episode producer: Joshua Joseph
Theme music by Almost Barely.
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In 2024, technology has allowed us to date without ever leaving our homes. Apps like Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, and more have made dating more accessible, but is it better than getting together the old-fashioned way? In this week’s podcast on OTR, our hosts Carly Lewis and Belle O’Neill are looking into sex in 2024 and whether our parents generation had an easier time hooking up than we do. Featuring interviews from sex therapist, Samantha Manowitz, and tatra sex bodyworker, Anjali Venga, we’ve got a well-rounded viewpoint for this week’s topic. Various TMU community members can also be heard giving us their opinions and stories on sex today. From new sexual trends to OnlyFans content, we’ve got it covered. Make sure you tune in this week to learn more!
Read the transcriptHosts: Belle O’Neill & Carly Pews
Streeter producer: Olivia Harbin
Episode producer: Grace Draznin
Theme music by Almost Barely.
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Do you know what $122 of your tuition for the TMSU is being used for? Well, you’re not alone, jump into our latest episode of the OTR News Podcast to find out.
This episode was hosted by Grace Draznin & Belle O’Neill, and produced by Celina Chugani & Joëlle Staropoli. The theme music for this episode is by Almost Barely and is called “Letting Go.” We interviewed previous St. Michael’s College Director David D’Aversa and UTSU Presidential Candidate Jake Barton this week, and the streeters were provided by the rest of the newsroom at OTR. At TMU, our student union is called the Toronto Metropolitan Student Union, or better known as the TMSU. You may have seen them on campus running events or even during your orientation. But did you know that they are also responsible for your health and dental plan? Or that an additional $122 of your tuition per year goes to funding their programs? So what does the TMSU really do… well you’ll have to listen to find out.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Belle O’Neill & Grace Draznin
Streeter producer: Celina Chugani
Episode producer: Joëlle Staropoli
Theme music by Almost Barely.
According to The Harvard Business Review, one-third of young people experience imposter syndrome, and the other 70 per cent of us will experience it at some point of our lives.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Alexa DiFrancesco & Katie Bell
Streeter producer: Krista Shepard
Episode producer: Adriana Fallico
Theme music by Almost Barely.
Associate Producer: Amelia Singh
News updates including an entertainment round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Mat Sheridan, Ishitaa Chopra
Reporters: Apurva Bhat, Maya Zaid, Navi Kahlon, Julia Lawrence, Steven Buttar, Sania Ali
Weather reporter: Ishitaa Chopra
Associate Producer: Amelia Singh
News updates including an entertainment round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Apurva Bhat, Mana Hosseini
Reporters: Amelia Singh, Navi Kahlon, Callum Denault, Benoit Guesneau, Scott Martin, Tyler Procyk, Mat Sheridan
Weather reporter: Ishitaa Chopra
Associate Producer: Amelia Singh
News updates including an entertainment round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Sania Ali and Steven Buttar
Reporters: Mana Hosseini, Lynette George
Weather reporter: Talia Saley
Associate Producer: Amelia Singh
News updates including an entertainment round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Michael Witkowicz, Apurva Bhat
Reporters: Julia Lawrence, Lynette George
Weather reporter: Scott Martin
Associate Producer: Amelia Singh
News updates including an entertainment round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Mana Hosseini Mousa, Scott Martin
Reporters: Sania Ali, Julia Lawrence, Tyler Procyk, Apurva Bhat
Weather reporter: Lynette George
Associate Producer: Amelia Singh
News updates including an entertainment round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Ishitaa Chopra, Lynette George
Reporters: Lynette George, Julia Lawrence
Weather reporter: Mana Hosseini Mousa
Associate Producer: Amelia Singh
News updates including an entertainement round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Dana Masamra and Nikolas Viveiros
Reporters: Apurva Bhat, Patrick Pearson, Julia Lawrence, Talia Saley, Jaylanae Ashman
Weather reporter: Dana Masamra
Associate Producer: Amelia Singh
News updates including an entertainement round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Aishah Ashraf and Callum Denault
Reporters: Kayah Marryshow, Patrick Pearson, Nikolas Viveiros, Dana Masamra
Weather reporter: Soukita Morgan
Associate Producer: Amelia Singh
News updates including an entertainement round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Aishah Ashraf and Dana Masamra
Reporters: Erica Wedgbury, Talia Saley, Rochelle Raveendran, Aishah Ashraf, Monse Quintana Ramos
Weather reporter: Apurva Bhat
Associate Producer: Amelia Singh
News updates including an entertainement round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Monse Quintana Ramos and Talia Saley
Reporters: Erica Wedgbury and Soukita Morgan
Weather reporter: Aishah Ashraf
In the Studio: Aishah Ashraf, Amelia Singh
News updates including a sports round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Marija Robinson, Tori Goodwin
Reporters: Caelan Monkman, Chloe Herbert-Ballantyne, Sheila Reid, Drew-Anne Glennie
Weather reporter: Zoie Karagiannis
Associate Producer: Lauren Battagello
News updates including a sports round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Zoie Karagiannis, Parker Theis
Reporters: Chloe Herbert-Ballantyne, Mariya Postelnyak
Weather reporter: Tori Goodwin
News updates including a sports round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Caelan Monkman, Mariya Postelnyak
Reporters: Marija Robinson
Weather reporter: Zoie Karagiannis
News updates including a sports round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Sheila Reid, Chloe Herbert-Ballantyne
Reporters: Angi Kallas, Parker Theis, Marija Robinson, Tori Goodwin
Weather reporter: Angi Kallas
News updates including a sports round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Parker Theis, Chloe Herbert-Ballantyne
Reporters: Curtis Martin, Tarek Tahan, Parker Theis, Tori Goodwin, Macenzie Rabelo
Weather reporter: Marija Robinson
News updates including a sports round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Holly Newell, Charlotte Pottier-Bonneville
Reporters: Kayla Fonte, Tori Goodwin, Chloe Herbert-Ballantyne
Weather reporter: Charlotte Pottier-Bonneville
News updates including a sports round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Tori Goodwin, Marija Robinson
Reporters: Lauren Battagello, Macenzie Rabelo, Charlotte Pottier-Bonneville, Holly Newell
Weather reporter: Kayla Fonte
News updates including a sports round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Tarek Tahan, Marija Robinson
Reporters: Macenzie Rabelo, Kayla Fonte, Drew-Anne Glennie
Weather reporter: Angi Kallas
News updates including a sports round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Charlotte Pottier-Bonneville, Holly Newell
Reporters: Curtis Martin, Kayla Fonte, Lauren Battagello, Drew-Anne Glennie
Weather reporter: Holly Newell
News updates including an entertainment update, sports round-up and weather for the GTA.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Reedah Hayder & Rachel Aversa
Features reporters: Trevor Carter, Clair Donoghue, Reedah Hayder
Weather reporter: Justin Lam
Entertainment reporter: Aru Kaul
Graphic by Masih KNews updates including the race for Toronto’s mayor, TMSU elections, and what to look out for in sports this week
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Justin Lam and Jack Wannan
Features reporters: Samira Balsara, Rachel Aversa, & Koylan Azofeifa
Weather reporter: Elle Laws
Events reporter: Aru Kaul
Streeters reporter: Cassie Argao
Toronto Metropolitan University will implement a budget cut across all departments of the university. Students in class at Eric Palin Hall on March 23. (Reedah Hayder/On The Record)Listen to the story here:
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is looking to shave 3.5 per cent off its spending this year in what will be the third cut in as many years.
TMU President Mohamed Lachemi said that consultations and meetings with student and union leaders are ongoing and that the university is looking for savings in areas that will have the least impact on the student experience.
“I don’t yet have all the specific details on where cuts will be made,” Lachemi told OTR.
Faced with a budget shortfall of $16.9 million in 2023-2024, TMU has advised all university units and departments to plan for a 3.5 per cent base budget reduction. The March 2023-2024 budget shows that the total projected expenditures for the year are $683.1 million.
The university cut spending by two per cent last year and 3.5 per cent in 2021-2022, according to the university’s annual budget reports.
In addition to last year’s spending cuts, TMU raised international and out-of-province tuition fees by five per cent and increased all residence rent fees by three per cent. Non-tuition university fees rose 2.85 per cent in line with inflation.
The university relies upon tuition for just over half of its revenue while 37 per cent comes from grants and 10 per cent from other income-generating activities, according to the 2023-2024 budget.
While tuition for international students has increased, Lachemi said in-province fees have been frozen since 2019, when the provincial government cut tuition rates for Ontarians by 10 per cent to below what they were in 2018-2019. The freeze has not yet been lifted, and since then there has been “no coverage for several years worth of inflation and limited government funding,” he said.
Lachemi said the university will not reduce the budget for student financial assistance. On The Record previously reported in February that TMU increased its overall entrance scholarship budget but cut its individual entrance scholarship amounts for students admitted in the 2023-2024 academic year.
No decision has been made about a hiring freeze, the president said.
According to TMU’s 2022-2023 enrolment plan, the university planned to reduce domestic first-year student intake and increase the number of international students who pay higher tuition rates. But Lachemi said building international enrolment was problematic during the pandemic and remains a challenge with inflation and the long wait times for visas adding to the difficulties. TMU data show the level of international enrolment for the university is low in comparison to other Ontario universities.
TMU’s international enrolment was at 10 per cent in the 2021-2022 academic year, according to university statistics. (Photo via TMU 2023-2024 Budget Town Hall Presentation)Spyros Zarros, the vice president of operations for the Toronto Metropolitan Students’ Union (TMSU), was skeptical of solving the university’s budget gap by bringing in more high-paying international students. In an email, he said education should be accessible for all students.
“The university has overly relied on international students as money bags while letting the provincial government get away with cutting funding,” he said.
He said he is also concerned the budget cuts will result in bigger class sizes: “We know that our quality of education is going down when we have less hours with instructors as the student-to-teacher ratio goes up,” Zarros said. “Our biggest fears are already happening, that we are seeing a consistent decline in the quality and accessibility of our education year after year.”
Richard Deklerk, who teaches accounting, hospitality, entrepreneurship and global management at TMU, said that having a higher ratio of international students could be a possible solution for the university.
But Deklerk, who is treasurer of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3904, said that as a sessional employee, his fear is that the budget reduction will result in cuts to CUPE positions. That’s easier for the university, he said, than trying to reduce the number of full-time professors who are members of the Toronto Metropolitan University Faculty Association (TMFA).
“If you were teaching a very low enrolment course, you might lose it,” Deklerk said. “I see our jobs getting hurt.”
The budget cuts for the next academic year may cause class sizes to become larger. (Photo By John-Mark Smith via Pexels)Kelly Train, vice president for CUPE Local 3904, said the union is still waiting to see how the budget cuts play out and that its main goal is to protect its members’ livelihoods.
OTR reached out to TMFA, which represents tenure-track faculty, limited-term faculty, librarians, and counsellors at TMU, but did not receive a response in time for publication.
Graphic by Masih KNews updates including the race for Toronto’s mayor, TMSU elections, and what to look out for in sports this week
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Justin Lam and Aru Kaul
Sports reporter: Cassie Argao
Weather reporter: Samira Balsara
Events reporter: Elle Laws
Streeters reporter: Julia Sacco
Graphic by Masih KNews updates including the latest on birth control in B.C., what students are thinking about attending convocation this year and events coming up this week.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Trevor Carter and Jack Wannan
Streeters reporter: Justin Lam
Events reporter: Aru Kaul
Videographer: Rachel Aversa
Disposable cameras have become extremely popular this year. (Samira Balsara/ On The Record)Hannah Burgstaller was at her parents house during the first summer of the pandemic when she discovered her mother’s 30-year-old film camera and a new passion.
“I basically took it from her and started getting into the hobby, because I really liked how film photos looked,” said the fourth-year media production student at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).
“I was trying a bunch of different apps that mimicked the style of film, but none of them really match the way actual film does.”
The 22-year-old has an Instagram account dedicated to her film photography that captures moments of her life with a point and shoot film camera. She says she appreciates the authentic look film photos create.
Burgstaller played around with disposable cameras too but eventually found her way back to a classic film camera. (Courtesy Hannah Burgstaller)“I love how the grain and colours give off a vintage feel,” she said. “But the anticipation of waiting for your photos—that was kind of a game. I would wait for my film to get developed and see what turned out well.”
Burgstaller is part of what some are calling an analog renaissance that has Generation Z looking for more authenticity and meaning in their photos.
“A lot of younger people are afraid to believe that they’re doing anything new,” says Laura Ramsey, a photographer and digital asset and imaging specialist at TMU’s The Image Centre. “This is new. Using a throwaway camera, digitizing it, and then putting it on Instagram. That’s a new thing that Generation Z is creating.”
The phenomenon is driving up the price of film as young people flock to camera stores. Kodak Film is increasing the price of its film by as much as 25 per cent this month. A roll of 35mm film now costs about $15.99 compared to $12.95 for one roll while 120 format film costs around $53.99 compared to $44.95 for five rolls.
This latest increase is in addition to a 40 per cent surge that occurred in January.
Laura Ramsey is a photographer and also teaches a course in photography at TMU. (Courtesy Laura Ramsey)Camera shops near TMU’s campus are seeing loads of new customers downtown who are either dropping off film to get developed or coming in to ask questions about a film camera they’ve recently acquired.
“Tons of students are coming in that just got a film camera from a relative or school and asking how to work it. They want to learn,” said James Chapman, a customer service associate at Henry’s camera store on Church Street. “It’s a trend that’s been going on for two years.”
Chapman says the price hikes apply to both rolls of film and disposable cameras, which were popular in the 80s and 90s and are also making a comeback.
“Every year Kodak increases their price by a dollar because they know they can because it’s that popular… Disposable cameras used to be $20 now they’re $22,” Chapman says.
According to JC Market Research, the disposable camera market was worth around US$838.57 million in 2021 and will grow to US$1.2 billion by 2030.
As school reopened after the pandemic, Louis Moore, who works at Downtown Camera, says many students are coming into the store, dropping off film and looking for cameras.
Taken by Louis Moore, who’s been working at Downtown Camera for a year and a half and according to his coworker, could be considered a “film guru” (Courtesy Louis Moore)“Demand has gone up a lot, in the last few years. Getting consumer products from Kodak is pretty difficult. A lot of people come in asking for it and we just don’t have it.”
Moore said Gen Z is nostalgic for something different—and film photography allows for this.
“They’ve grown up with every photo they’ve taken being super clean and sharp. It’s that yearning for something a little different. Something that isn’t perfect,” he said.
Burgstaller said the first time she developed a roll of film she was hit with the reality that not every photo turned out the way she expected it to, but nonetheless, she was more than excited to get her photos back.
Nicholas Corey, a fourth–year TMU photography student who likes to shoot with film, has been affected by the high costs.
Nicholas Corey says he likes film photography due to the raw and natural look it creates. (Courtesy Nicholas Corey) “It makes me more conscious as to what I shoot. When I shoot medium format I get 12 photos per roll. Each roll costs me $25 so every time you press the shutter it’s $4.”
For The Image Centre’s Ramsey, the whole process of capturing a film photo allows people to be more present during special moments.
“When you do something every single day like take a picture with your phone and share it automatically, you’re really not thinking about it. It’s like breathing. You’re not conscious of your breath, most of the time. I think with analog, it’s the embodiment of that experience because it’s something new, as it’s different.”
While trends come and go, Corey says film will always stick around in some way.
“Every trend has a circular life to it. It will be in style, it will be old, it will be cliché and then it will be retro. People are going back to film because of its retro look. I don’t think that’s going to go away.”
Burgstaller said the idea of a distinctive look to pictures and the experience that comes with taking film photos has her hooked.
“Everyone has a phone, everyone can take a picture. So with film, it’s the unique edge that you can add to your photos to look different than what everyone else is posting.”
Graphic by Masih KNews updates including the latest on birth control in B.C., what students are thinking about attending convocation this year and events coming up this week.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Cassie Argao and Samira Balsara
Streeters reporter: Aru Kaul
Events reporter: Jack Wannan
Features reporter: Julia Sacco and Rachel Aversa
Graphic by Masih KNews updates including the latest on birth control in B.C., what students are thinking about attending convocation this year and events coming up this week.
Read the transcriptCreditsHost: Julia Sacco
Streeters reporters: Alexandra Holyk and Molly Cone
Events reporter: Justin Lam
Feature reporter: Trevor Carter
In studio interview: Molly Cone and Jacob Stoller
Graphic by Masih KNews updates including the latest on John Tory’s resignation, the SORT project, avian flu and mammals and events coming up this week.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Molly Cone and Alexandra Holyk
Streeters reporters: Kadija Osman and Abby Hughes
Events reporter: Pauline Nasri and Alina Snisarenko
Features reporters: Olivia Wiens and Viktor Elias
Graphic by Masih KNews updates including the latest city council vote on 24/7 warming centres, the return of therapy dogs to TMU, and security on campus.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Alina Snisarenko and Olivia Wiens
Streeters reporters: Kadija Osman and Pauline Nasri
Events reporter: Alexandra Holyk and Viktor Elias
Features reporters: Abby Hughes and Molly Cone
A shopper walks along the produce section of the Metro on Gould Street. Fresh produce prices in Ontario have increased as high as 30 per cent over the last five years (Alina Snisarenko/On The Record).Listen to the story here:
Walk downstairs. A game of ping pong echoes through the hallway. Make a quick left, then a fast right.
From the outside, office SCC B 03A at the Student Campus Centre looks just the same as any other. The inside tells another story. Boxes are being emptied, macaroni is going on shelves, onions into bins and ground beef into the fridge. The Good Food Centre—a drop-in food bank at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)—is setting up for their busiest day of the week: Wednesday, when many students pick up their groceries.
That busyness reflects a dire trend: TMU students say they’re struggling to afford their groceries. The price of store-bought food increased by almost 21 per cent in 2022 compared to five years ago, according to Ontario’s consumer price index, which tracks the inflation of goods over time.
The Good Food Centre’s membership has been increasing “nonstop” since school started in September, according to its operations leads Tasneem Rashid and Lauren Brach, who are also TMU students.
The Centre is planning on releasing a hunger report later this year which will outline its progress and outreach. The report aims to show which students are experiencing food insecurity among the TMU population and why.
What is known is that groceries have gotten harder to afford and TMU students say they’re more aware of store prices than before.
Zahra Ali, a first-year politics and governance student, lives at home with her two brothers and says that grocery shopping with family is a balancing act between buying foods everyone will be happy with and keeping costs down—especially since some products have gotten more expensive. During one grocery trip, she wondered whether to spend her money on milk instead of a tub of ice cream.
“Why was ice cream like $10?” asked Ali. “Now I need to think about what I need rather than what I want … I’d rather buy milk right now than buy ice cream.”
“I’ve noticed a tightening scope of what I can get”
Josh Chang
TMU students who have dietary restrictions pay an even heftier price.
Josh Chang, a third-year journalism student, first noticed the rise in grocery prices after moving out of his parents’ house about two years ago. He now lives in Vaughan with his sister. Chang is severely allergic to dairy, eggs, nuts, shellfish, tropical fruit, oats and red meat.
He has seen the most change in his essentials, like frozen fruits, vegetables and easy snack items. Chang says he used to pay $10 for a pack of four chicken breasts, getting about two meals for him and his sister. He now pays $11 — a 10 per cent increase. Statistics Canada’s annual consumer price index for Ontario shows that fresh or frozen poultry increased by around 23 per cent in the last five years.
“It’s getting more expensive,” Chang said, “I’ve noticed a tightening scope of what I can get.”.
Students aren’t just struggling with grocery prices, but also rent, transportation fees and other fixed expenses, according to Jacqui Gingras, a TMU associate professor of sociology. This adds even more pressure to grocery bills.
“Food often is the first thing that is reduced when students are really struggling on the fine line of survival,” said Gingras, who refers to it as an “elastic expense” dependent on what’s left of a student’s budget. Gingras said it is very difficult to focus on learning without proper nutrition. She points out that beyond the physiological issues, considering the extra work of worrying where your next meal will come from, the money for said meal, where to purchase the food and how to prepare it is also mentally draining.
A $9 Loaf of Bread
Bread, toasted. Peanut butter, smeared. Banana, on the side. That’s a typical breakfast for second-year professional communications student Sofia Stadler. It’s simple, and will get them through the morning.
Almost two years ago, Stadler was diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that prevents them from eating gluten. Dietary restrictions are top of mind during their grocery trips. Their neighbourhood grocery store is a FreshCo, where they say they’re paying as much as $9 for a loaf of gluten-free bread. When trying to stretch a dollar, a go-to meal is pasta. Statistics Canada’s annual consumer price index shows that prices for pasta products across the country have increased by around 20 per cent since 2017.
“When you’re a student, sometimes you just have to make quicker meals. And a lot of times those are things like pasta and any frozen meals,” Stadler said.
For Ali, non-perishable meals are most convenient because she doesn’t have to worry about produce going bad, especially since it’s gotten more expensive. Ontario’s consumer price index shows the price for fresh fruit has increased by 20 per cent since 2017, while fresh vegetables have increased by over 33 per cent, according to Statistics Canada.
Despite rising costs, Ali has recently tried to cook more and advises fellow students to do the same.
“Try using the same thing multiple ways, you can make different kinds of rice and stuff like that. Just figure it out, it’s okay to ask your mom for help,” Ali said.
On the left, Josh Chang stands in the main hall of the Rogers Communication Centre (RCC), in the centre, Sofia Stadler picks out leafy greens at the Metro on Gould Street, on the left, Zahra Ali picks out a drink at the Library Coffee kiosks located at the Kerr Hall hallway into the library (Alina Snisarenko and Molly Cone/On The Record).Caring is KeyBarch and Rashid sit behind a desk at the Good Food Centre. It’s Thursday, the day after delivery day. Thanks to the hard work of volunteers, it’s quiet and calm. The hum of a fridge floats through the air and makes its way past the half-closed office door.
Barch sits up straight in the fold-out chair and clasps her hands together at the mention of Good Food volunteers.
“They’re such a blessing … those volunteers who are willing to come back every week and help their community,” she said, “it’s so heartwarming.”
Gingras reflects a similar attitude: caring for one another is key.
“Our entire reason for being at this place called TMU is because of students. If we’re lifting all those who are struggling, we’re lifting up all of us,” said Gingras.
Graphic by Masih KNews updates including the location announcement for TMU’s new medical school, more on the title fraud scam, the changes to Service Ontario, a review of TMU merch, along with events on campus.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Gabrielle Laws and Justin Lam
Streeters reporters: Rachel Aversa, Joseph Casciaro and Matthew Tassopolous
Events reporter: Joseph Casciaro
Features reporters: Reedah Hayder and Jacob Stoller
Graphic by Masih KNews updates on ‘Kraken’ the new omicron virus, Consent Action Week, the city’s warming centres, along with events on campus and a Q&A with reporter Joseph Casciaro on the heightened security at TMU.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Aru Kaul and Claire Donoghue
Streeters reporters: Lauren Stallone and Koylan Azofeifa
Events reporters: DeAndra Asapokhai and Kareena Aranha
Guest: Joseph Casciaro
Graphic by Masih KWith the approach of winter weather comes a decline in mental health for many. But, what is the difference between a case of the winter blues and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? We speak to On The Record editor Mahdis Habibinia about the distinction. Also, we get a glimpse into the world of TMU A Cappella, including how some of the groups were formed and how they prepare to be pitch perfect come competition season.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Maya Abramson, Racy Rafique, Andrew Yang
Guests: Mahdis Habibinia
With music from DeWolfe Music
Edited by: Maya Abramson & Racy Rafique
Students on computers in the Student Learning Centre at Toronto Metropolitan University (Deepak Sharma/On The Record)
Listen to the story here:
This is the first in-person fall term exam season since 2019. Experts say that student preparedness and study skills have suffered from more than two years of schooling disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
There has been so much leeway given to students over the pandemic that any attempt to go back to more stringent exams, tests, or rules is troubling for students, according to Corrine Hart, an associate nursing professor at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).
Students coming back in person required a complete shift in how they function and organize their time, said Hart. “They had to figure out how to be a student again.”
Third-year biology student Redge Alexon Wang is just one student who is worried about exams and meeting his own academic goals. “During the pandemic we were relying on our typewritten notes or slides that professors uploaded in advance instead of active recalling,” said Wang.
In June 2021, Science Table, a COVID-19 focused research group published a report revealing the damaging effects of the pandemic on vulnerable population groups. According to the article, COVID-19 has impacted academic achievements and led to learning losses. The closures of schools have caused multi-dimensional consequences, especially with students’ physical and mental health.
Young adults were deprived of the opportunity to meet people, which affected critical developmental needs and their ability to build meaningful relationships with educators, according to Kelly Gallagher-Mackay, an expert in educational experiences and outcomes and associate professor at Wilfrid Laurier University.
“Since students spent so much time on screen — even if it was an activity for school — it was associated strongly with higher rates of depression and anxiety,” she said.
“I got up at five in the afternoon, my classes would tend to finish at six in the morning. I was like a night owl, nocturnal, no friends, no social life, nothing,” said Stijn Van Der Oort, a second-year creative industries student at TMU who was stuck in the Netherlands when people switched from online to in person classes.
Oort says when he first arrived in Toronto he felt suffocated and exhausted starting in person learning. “Literally after my first [in person] class, my throat dried up, it was aching because I was used to not speaking for days at a time, locked away in a room.”
With the return to in-person schooling Gallagher-Mackay says that students are more likely to be anxious if they are less well-prepared for assessments. “With the interrupted schooling, students are sort of always in a catch-up mode, which can be exhausting.”
Elizabeth Tupa, a licensed clinical psychologist, echoed Gallagher-Mackey’s statement. She says students dealing with three years of interrupted schooling, along with isolation, concerns about illness, and being cut off from healthy coping mechanisms lost out on a “huge chunk of their developing life.”
Wang recommends his fellow students “definitely get enough sleep, eat healthy for discipline. Exercise. And try to minimize self-destructive habits.”
Graphic by Masih KTMU held a referendum asking students to approve a fee increase to improve student well-being services. The vote became controversial, as the proposed increase was from about 4 dollars in fees to almost 40. Racy Rafique takes us through the reporting she did on this story for On The Record. Plus, we sit down with Meghan McCracken, a TMU student who shares her personal experiences with physical and mental health issues, and the challenges in getting supports on-campus.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Maya Abramson, Racy Rafique, Andrew Yang
Guests: Meghan McCracken
Graphic by Masih KIt’s the halfway mark for the fall semester at TMU. We ask students how they are feeling being back on campus without restrictions and whether they’ve had any interruptions to classes due to people getting sick. We also sit down with Chantal Wong, the president of the Ted Rogers Students’ Society, for the newest installment of Upper-Year Sessions. Chantal discusses how she got involved with the TRSS, what being a part of the group means for her as a student and for her future career, and much more.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Maya Abramson, Georgina Parker, Andrew Yang
Guests: Chantal Wong
With music from DeWolfe Music
Edited by: Maya Abramson
Graphic by Masih KMunicipal elections tend to see the lowest voter turnout of all levels of government, and young voters don’t always make it to the polls. We talked to students about their voting plans and how informed they feel, and we also sat down with TMU professor emeritus Myer Siemiatycki to learn about why young voters often feel disengaged. Then, we caught up with Ivymae Perez, a midfielder on the TMU Bold’s women’s soccer team, and a recent recipient of the OUA’s Athlete of the Week award.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Maya Abramson, Georgina Parker, Andrew Yang
Guests: Myer Siemiatycki & Ivymae Perez.
With music from DeWolfe Music
Edited by: Georgina Parker
Graphic by Masih KWith the return of in-person classes, students are getting back in the habit of commuting to campus, but the quality of service on public transit is leaving some disappointed. Raktim Mitra, a TMU professor and this week’s guest, discusses the challenges for students commuting. Also during this week’s episode, the launch of a new segment focusing on the experiences and advice of upper year students. Josh Kim, a Sport Media student at TMU, was the first guest on the new segment, Upper-Year Sessions.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Maya Abramson, Georgina Parker, Andrew Yang
Guests: Raktim Mitra & Josh Kim.
With music from DeWolfe Music
Edited by: Maya Abramson
Graphic by Masih KOntario will not be getting a holiday for the Queen’s funeral. How do students feel about that? Also, how was this year’s Orientation Week? With the help of guests Peggy Nash and Andrew Bisnauth, our hosts Maya, Georgina, and Andrew take on these topics on today’s edition of TMU Week in Review.
Read the transcriptCreditsHosts: Maya Abramson, Georgina Parker, Andrew Yang
Guests: Peggy Nash & Andrew Bisnauth.
With music from DeWolfe Music
Edited by Georgina Parker & Andrew Yang
Graphic by Masih K
In February, Russia invaded Ukraine. Cities have fallen, bombs have been dropped on hospitals and homes, and economic sanctions have sent inflation soaring. Those following closely say peace talks might help, but regardless: the after-effects of this war might linger for years.
Guests in order of appearance:
Marta Masnyi — a Ukrainian-Canadian woman who helped organize protests in the wake of the invasion. Christopher Curtis — a Canadian reporter who spent a week in Lviv, Ukraine, in March. Professor Anatoliy Gruzd — a Ryerson professor specializing in information technology.Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji — a distinguished international jurist at Ryerson Law School and special advisor to President Lachemi Professor Arne Kislenko — a Ryerson history professor who’s work focuses on war, espionage and the history of Europe.
Support for students and community members affected by the crisis in Ukraine can access support from Ryerson University here.
Related Stories:
Ukrainian students react to the Russian invasion
Ukrainian who spent time at Ryerson now making Molotov cocktails and fortifying roads
Ukrainian-Canadian community reacts to war in homeland
Graphic by Masih K
The Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU) has been mired in controversy after controversy, especially over the past three years. In this episode of the On The Record podcast, your hosts, TJ Dhir and Thomas Desormeaux, take a look at the student union’s fraught history.
Two former members of RSU’s Board of Directors have strong opinions about the executive committee’s activities during their tenure on the board, as does a former On The Record reporter covering the RSU beat. However, the president-elect of RSU hopes to instil and inspire change in an organization that seems to regularly make headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Extra Resources
RSU Bylaws
2022 RSU Election Nomination Package
Guests, in order of appearance
David Jardine, former Board of Governors’ student representative, RSU
Marina Gerges, president-elect, RSU
Paula Tran, former reporter, On The Record
Olivia McLeod, former Faculty of Communication and Design director, RSU
Related Stories
Eye Confirms RSU Credit Card Statements Shoeing Food, Club, Clothing Purchases Totalling Thousands
RSU Board Member Impeached
Both parties in RSU elections found breaking election bylaws
Students Using RSU Food Box Program Allege they felt ‘Pressured’ to Vote for Adapt by VP Operations Candidate
RSU closes down on-campus print shop without providing a reason why
RSU elections inaccessible, criticize candidates and students
RSU CRO calls Campaigning in Residence ‘Common’ Contradicting 2011-22 Election Email
RSU election results: Independent candidate Marina Gerges wins bid for president
Marina Gerges says she is ready to rescue the RSU
Graphic by Masih K
Finances have become a major talking point in the era of COVID-19, with many Ryerson students facing tough decisions about their education and some businesses near campus worrying about their viability. In this episode of the On The Record podcast, your hosts, TJ Dhir and Thomas Desormeaux, examine two issues: tuition costs and the plight of small businesses.
Some Ryerson students say they are not being supported adequately by the school, and are calling for tuition fees to be decreased. Meanwhile, the quality of education has decreased, according to the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) and the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS). On The Record reporter Fiona O'Flynn reports on what students have said online and how they are taking action.
Those who own or operate small businesses have also been feeling the effects of the pandemic. Some stores have had to close their doors due to capacity restrictions and what they say is a lack of government support. Some have had to make other changes. On The Record reporter Emma Moore reports on how the Silver Snail comic book store decided to make a move out of Ryerson's neighbourhood and back to its old home in Trinity-Bellwoods.
Extra Resources
Change.org petition to lower Ryerson tuition fees for online semesters
OCUFA survey illustrating declining education quality
Details about the COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant
Guests, in order of appearance
Fiona O'Flynn – reporter, On The Record
Emma Moore – reporter, On The Record
Related Stories
Demand for lower tuition continues despite return to in-person classes
The Silver Snail moves from Yonge Street after 9 years
Graphic by Masih K
As the On The Record podcast returns for the Winter Semester, your host, TJ Dhir, looks at the biggest issues surrounding COVID-19 and Ryerson. The futures of unvaccinated students and students with an unknown vaccination status are currently in limbo. On The Record editor-in-chief Nick Parker talks about the struggles they face as well as what the future might look like.
The return-to-campus plan has drawn the frustration of eight tenured professors with the Ryerson School of Occupational and Public Health. We spoke with one of them before they co-signed a public letter to the university about how they feel regarding Ryerson's plan to bring students back to in-person classes.
With certain questions still needing answers, how conducive to on-campus learning is Ryerson?
Update: The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario confirmed Thursday that four applications have been submitted against Ryerson pertaining to COVID-19. However, the tribunal "does not track data specific to COVID-19 vaccine exemptions."
Extra Resources
Ryerson University’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Open Letter to Ryerson from eight School of Occupational and Public Health professors
Guests, in order of appearance
Nick Parker – editor-in-chief, On The Record
Thomas Tenkate – associate professor, Ryerson School of Occupational and Public Health
Related Stories
Unvaccinated Ryerson students to be removed from winter courses
Ryerson encouraging third COVID-19 vaccine dose for return to in-person learning
School of public health faculty members tell university they’re concerned about return to in-person learning
In this year-end reflection, Manuela Vega speaks with senior editor Asmaa Toor, managing editor Kirti Vyas and chief editor Abhi Raheja about what it was like to work with predominantly racialized reporters and editors, remotely during COVID-19 and during calls for change in the Ryerson School of Journalism.
Host Simran Singh speaks with managing editor Kirti Vyas about how yoga, among other cultural practices, has been appropriated and removed from its religious and spiritual context. Later, she speaks with features editor Pia Araneta on the importance of cultural competence in mental health care.
Managing editor Kirti Vyas, with podcast producer Meara Khanna, examines the cultural appropriation of different religious and spiritual practices that originated in Indigenous and South Asian cultures, such as yoga.
After voting for the Ryerson Student's Union election ended Friday, March 19, allegations against both running parties — Adapt and For the Students — surfaced through stories broken by the Ryersonian and The Eyeopener. Host Giulia Fiaoni speaks with Ryersonian reporters Frank Quaranta and Marin Scotten about why the presidential win for Adapt's Siddhanth Satish may be called into question.
We hear from the Ryersonian’s Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU) beat reporter, Frank Quaranta, about the ongoing RSU elections — diving into Tuesday’s debate, voter turnout predictions, the running slates and what to expect in the coming months.
On this special edition episode of Centre Scope, Toronto-based activist and former incarcerated person and sex worker, Moka Dawkins, shares her experiences before and after jail as a Black trans woman. Researcher Alex V. Green discusses her research on how poverty affects certain LGBTQ2S+ people, especially trans Black women and sex workers. Manuela Vega hosts.