Victoria Goldberg | Editor-in-Chief
Featured illustration by Jasmine Wiradharma
What a year.
Correction: what a shitty year.
2016-2017 at York saw continuing declining enrollment with tuition still rising by up to 3 per cent; the food sucked so much that we topped the list of worst Ontario post-secondary institutes for food safety; a petition was created for a disappointing sandwich; food service workers went on strike and a new incoming president received letters of no-support even before she was announced to take over the position.
But I guess the year didn’t suck that much. The food services workers that went on strike settled with Aramark, including an agreement that within a year, no worker will be making less than $15 an hour; the Bachelor of Administrative
Studies program has been officially renamed as the Bachelor of Commerce thanks to a student petition; Bethune is introducing a course to help equip student leaders to address sexual violence and the men’s Lions hockey team won their first Queen’s Cup in 13 years.
And that’s just what Excalibur reported on.
There are countless issues, concerns and voices that we didn’t cover—and it’s a damn shame.
York is a widely diverse and immensely passionate community and I recognize the opportunity— and responsibility—that is bestowed upon student journalists. We strive for the truth while jumping over hurdles, avoiding lawsuits and finishing our assignments for class.
Excalibur has been nothing short of a ride with many wonderful and terrifying stops along the way. I have learned more about myself and grew as a person and a journalist in more ways that I could have anticipated from a measly student club. I have also seen the true passion within activists, the hurt souls of marginalized groups and even the ugly sides of people’s characters.
But most of all, I have learned that you can’t please them all. The truth, this imaginary ideal that journalists strive for, is not always pleasant. As a journalist, if you are pleasing everyone, then you are probably not doing your job right.
However, if you’re ignoring certain voices, or simply not including them in your paper, then you are also failing at your job.
Journalism is hard, particularly at a school that does not have a dedicated journalism school to teach us these valuable skills of interviewing, transcribing, oxford commas and managing hateful emails.
All I can wish for is that in spite of all of this, there are some of you who read Excalibur, appreciate the efforts of the editorial team and maybe become inspired to contribute.
It is immensely difficult to reflect the student body without the student voice. So please, don’t shy away from the challenge that may be Excalibur; speak up, and let your voices be heard.
Excalibur is always willing to listen.
In the coaitpcmled world we live in, it’s good to find simple solutions.