Darts
Three Queen’s leaders rack up over $46K in expenses during five-day trip to China: Revealed through an anonymous Reddit account, three Queen’s administrators spent roughly $46,215 in an October recruitment trip to China. In the midst of cost cutting measures, particularly in the Arts, its disappointing to see the administration spending unnecessarily on limousines and hotels. Because this information was discovered through a freedom of information request, it’s unknown how many other administrators have exhibited this kind of spending. As austerity measures come into effect, administrative spending should be a significant concern for students.
AMS President’s credit card revoked following unauthorized personal use: In a Jan. 28 Special Assembly, it was revealed that AMS president Jana Amer had been using the presidential credit card for unauthorized personal expenses. While the expenses were repaid to the AMS, the Assembly led to further inquiries, and Amer’s eventual resignation. If anything, the findings of the Special Assembly should encourage students to understand how their student fees are being spent and will strengthen the AMS credit card policy going forward. The event captured the interest of many students and will hopefully lead to more engagement with the AMS going forward.
TAs speak out against increasing workload and reduced hours: Though Teaching Assistant (TA) wages have increased as a result of the PSAC 901 strike in 2025, their hours have decreased, and many are overseeing more students due to increased enrollment. Unfortunately, this highlights how the 2025 strikes didn’t lead to as positive of an outcome as many students had hoped. It’s frustrating that students can’t advocate more for how their tuition dollars are being spent.
Students rally amid internet shutdowns and human rights concerns in Iran: On Jan. 16, over 50 students and members of the Kingston community gathered to protest human rights abuses occurring in Iran. The internet blackout has had difficult mental health and financial concerns for the Iranian student population, and the University should be doing more to ensure their needs are met at this time.
Queen’s rejects request for divestment from fossil fuels: A student backed call for divestment from fossil fuels was rejected by the University on Dec. 16. The most upsettingthing wasn’t only that the request was denied, it was that Queen’s barely consulted with the student group prior to submitting their anti divestment recommendation. Whether divestment form fossil fuels are feasible or not, it’s frustrating to see student concerns delegitimized and swept under the rug. The dismissal is especially unfortunate as Queen’s claims to be “committed to advancing sustainability and fighting climate change.”
Antisemitic and transphobic FOCO street interview sees widespread attention: Posted on Instagram, a FOCO street interview asked offensive questions targeting the transgender and Jewish community. Clearly orchestrated to elicit a reaction, both the interviewer and interviewees should be ashamed for engaging in this type of rhetoric. It’s disheartening to see the Queen’s community portrayed as openly hateful, and while condemnations were issued, there should be more concrete action to reduce the chances of this ever happening again. Incendiary street interviews when people are intoxicated are predatory, and feed into a dark corner of internet culture that shouldn’t be platformed at Queen’s, or anywhere.
Distressed man breaks into Waldron Tower leaving students shaken: Early on Oct. 25, a distressed man broke into the Waldron Tower residences, leaving students concerned for their safety. While the incident didn’t garner much attention around campus, students should be more concerned for the security of residences on campus. While rooms are currently under renovation in Waldron tower, no additional security measures have been put in place.
Students say DAN School left in “crisis” due to budget cuts: On June 16, Dan School of Drama and Music students were informed of cost cutting measures, including the reduction of one on one teaching by half. Students and faculty of the DAN school raised concerns about the quality of music education at Queen’s. Its overall frustrating to see large amounts of funding allocated to engineering and commerce, while the arts are so severely underfunded, they can barely run their programs. Even still, the university has failed to take accountability for the dramatic cuts to arts programs across campus.
Annual ORT Mystery Concert scrapped for incoming students: This year, the annual mystery concert was removed from the orientation schedule, primarily due to safety and insurance costs. It’s saddening to see a long-held tradition leave campus, as live music was an important way for incoming first years to make connections on campus. While it would’ve been nice to see the AMS advocate more for the concert, the University should also be held accountable for failing to make exceptions regarding insurance costs. The lack of care for initiatives such as the concert reflect a broader in fun activities on campus.
The Mansion’s sudden closure leaves employees and student groups in the dark: Announced on March 11 via Instagram, The Mansion, a beloved Kingston establishment, would be closing their doors for good. Unfortunately, employees cited a lack of notice, and poor working conditions that could be frustrating at times. However, the Mansion was an important Kingston staple, platforming student bands, and one of few bars near student housing that isn’t owned by the same company.
19-year-old left in critical condition following a hit and run steps from campus: On Nov. 7, a 19-year-old pedestrian was left in critical condition following a hit and run near the corner of Johnson St. and Albert St. The suspect was eventually found and arrested, and the incident raised concerns about drivers on Johnson St. and the prominence of jaywalking. Steps should be taken by the University and the city of Kingston to ensure safer traffic regulations, but one positive was seeing the community rally in support of the victim, who is now on the way to recovery.
Laurels
New Black Legacy Mentorship Program helps connect Kingston youth with student mentors: This year, the Social Issues Commission launched the Black Legacy Mentorship program, which connects Black youth in Kingston with Queen’s student mentors. For many Black youths in Kingston, who may not see themselves represented in a predominately white institution such as Queen’s, the program’s an important step to increasing access to post secondary.
Bottoms Up opens as Kingston’s first gay bar in over a decade: It’s exciting to see the opening of Kingston’s first gay bar in over a decade. Kingston used to have a strong history of gay and lesbian bars, one that’s beginning to revive with the opening of Bottoms Up. One gay bar, Shay Foo Foo’s, opened in Kingston about two years ago but unfortunately shut down, and The Journal is happy to see this one thriving. However, with many new establishments, Bottoms Up will have to navigate the challenges that come with the first year of business, and work to create a welcoming and safe environment for queer patrons.
ARC to offer free summer access for students starting in 2026: Free summer access to the ARC was one of the most actionable changes seen by this year’s AMS executive. No one wants to spend $100 for a gym they have access to year around and making it available to undergrads during the summer months was a positive use of student fees. Because many students pay tuition for summer courses, they should be encouraged to spend some time in Kingston over the summer and retain access to the same amenities.
Men’s Hockey takes down TMU in overtime for OUA Bronze: While many spectators might focus on the gold medals, an OUA bronze was a huge accomplishment for the Men’s Hockey team. The team had to upset second ranked Concordia to make it to the bronze medal series, and upset TMU, ranked first in the OUA West. It’s thrilling to see such an impressive run from the Men’s program.
Queen’s researchers secure $1.2 million in funding from the Ontario government: Announced on Jan. 21. six Queen’s projects including galaxy evolution, neural activity, and open-source computing will see $1.2 million in provincial funding. While this allocation wasn’t from the University itself, its positiveto see research funded at Queen’s—something highlighted as a strategic priority in the bicentennial vision. With the recent tuition unfreeze, it’s exciting to other initiatives directing funding towards universities in Ontario.
‘Art & Solidarity’ displays Iranian hope and resilience: On March 15, a group of students affiliated with the Iranian Association of Queen’s University, organized an exhibit featuring Iranian food, music, and artwork. Amid the violence in Iran and mounting death tolls following protests on Jan. 8 and 9, the depiction of Iranian life and culture was a beautiful and hopeful way to spread their message.
Students are working to preserve and build a queer legacy on campus: A new course, HIST 402 “LGBTQ Lives and Archives” brings students to the archives to study LGBTQ2SIA+ history in Kingston. Being a fourth-year seminar, the class is very hands on, utilizing existing archives at Queen’s. The students are all very passionate, and it’s inspiring to have another avenue to explore LGBTQ2SIA+ history in Kingston.
Queen’s deficit projected to drop to $2 million from budgeted $26.4 million deficit in May: While it’s positive to see a decrease in the operating deficit, such a sharp decrease raises concerns about austerity measures. While an increase in investment returns is partly the cause of the deficit decrease, programs especially the arts are still struggling with funding.
After two-year hiatus Bader College reopens for Winter 2026: Bader College is an expensive institution to uphold, one that many Queen’s students will never see. However, it’s positiveto see the University reorient its focus to more research initiatives.
‘The Journal’ announced as runner-up for two national student newspaper awards: It’s positive to see recognition for the hard work that goes into publishing new issues of The Journal each week. Taking home silver for this year’s John H. MacDonald (JHM) Awards for Excellence in Student Journalism is something we’re very proud of.
—Journal Editorial Board
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