For many, Queen’s is a home away from home. Some experience university for the first time in Kingston while others are seasoned veterans of academe. Depending on one’s relationship with Queen’s—be it as a graduate, undergraduate, or professional student; faculty or staff member; person of colour or international student; from a large city or small town—the intensity and reception of university life can vary dramatically.
In my time here, I’ve met those that have thoroughly enjoyed being at Queen’s, and others who couldn’t wait to leave. Guided by the idea that it isn’t enough to understand the world since the point is to change it, some critical thought is needed to reflect upon this institution and ask: How can Queen’s be better? As a quick response to this query: Queen’s would be better with an evolving sense of identity, community and tradition.
As a new student at Queen’s, the SGPS and my home department, sociology, were most crucial in making the transition to grad school enjoyable. At the same time, social justice campaigns on and off campus were so important in forging a sense of community amongst many graduate and undergraduate students across a variety of disciplines, myself included. In the process I realized there were numerous divergent conceptions of Queen’s. As time went on I met many who found it very difficult to identify with this university’s culture. History and tradition can be very overbearing; as a result, not everyone finds Queen’s as diverse or inclusive as it should be. Founded in 1841 as a Presbyterian college focused on educating ministers, the institution has come a long way since. But the connection to a period of Canada’s history that was hardly democratic and a college dominated by Protestant males has not been entirely discarded. Although the Oil Thigh and other Gaelic-themed traditions are inviting to some, can we say for certain that these practices create an inclusive environment for all students, especially for those that don’t share in a similar racial or ethnic heritage? Or for that matter, students from underprivileged and working-class backgrounds?
With this in mind it’s important to build on existing groups and initiatives that strive to make Queen’s more diverse. Some organizations, such as the Queen’s Coalition for Racial and Ethnic Diversity, have been working to develop a strong anti-racist movement that examines structural forms of power and inequity not just at Queen’s, but Canadian society more broadly. In the wake of the Henry Report’s release, which was greeted with both acclaim and opposition, it became apparent that more commitment was needed to examine Queen’s culture and traditions. Despite conservative responses, a critical analysis of cultural practices shouldn’t be seen as an attempt to diminish the institution’s reputation but as an opportunity to make the social and academic environment here more inclusive by looking at the historic and existing structures of racism and inequality as a point of departure.
Such progressive change cannot occur without building strong bonds of solidarity with local and national allies. In more ways than one, Queen’s needs to continuously strengthen its relationship with the Kingston community beyond the economic realm. It’s not sufficient to speak only of the financial contribution universities make to local economies. The work of the Ontario Public Interest Research Group is one example of how this can be done, as are community gardens, farmer’s markets, anti-poverty organizations, No One is Illegal rallies, community education programs and making non-student residents feel welcome on campus.
Student governments like the SGPS and AMS need to be actively involved in making this possible. Indeed, a strong student movement must also confront issues beyond its immediate vision—i.e., tuition, services available to students, etc.—and work to create a larger, more effective network that addresses social programs, public services and anti-racism on campus and beyond. For me, this is just one way of making Queen’s better—by reconstructing our notion of “community” and “identity” as well as establishing new traditions. In order to make this possible we must examine the cultural elements of this institution and work with others for positive change.
—Andrew Stevens is the Society of Graduate and Professional Students president at Queen’s and is a doctoral candidate in the department of sociology researching labour-organizing in the call centre sector.
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