Since 1950, dedicated student journalists at Memorial have reported on campus affairs, community events, politics, controversies, local entertainment – you name it.
This Week in Muse History series highlights notable articles and topics reported on by past students to celebrate 75 years of The Muse. This series also gives insight into student issues of the past – they are not as different as you might think.
Here’s what The Muse reported on this week, February 3rd-7th, in past years.
(Lee Hurley/The Muse)
On February 3, 2005, Nadya Bell reported on contentious debates surrounding the Faculty of Medicine and their right to academic freedom.
Academic freedom refers to an academic’s right to “conduct research and release their results as they choose.” Essentially, this gives professors ‘freedom of thought:’ agency to research whatever they would like, and publish their findings and opinions without being censored or punished. Many academics believe that this freedom is essential to healthy critical thinking skills. The university did not agree that the principle of academic freedom applied to medicine.
Doctors working for MUN at this time had to report to both the healthcare corporation and the university, which often limited the amount of time they could dedicate to their research. The debate asked whether faculty members who dedicate the majority of their time to clinical practice should be granted academic freedom.
The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT), created an individual committee to investigate Memorial University for violations of academic freedom. Various School of Medicine faculty members brought concerns to both CAUT, and Jon Church, the vice–president of MUN’s faculty association at the time.
Church said that multiple faculty members left each year because they “had trouble carrying out their practice in a way they would like.” This suggests that the limitations may have affected faculty resignations.
If CAUT found that Memorial was in violation of this principle, they could pass a motion blacklisting the university and distributing a message to other academics that it does not respect academic freedom as an institution. Entities involved thought this outcome was very unlikely.
(Lee Hurley/The Muse)
On February 4, 1972, Muse affiliate Kirian Gushue wrote about the opening of longstanding downtown gem – Fred’s Records.
Owner Fred Brokenshire spoke to The Muse about prioritizing affordability for customers, and the artistic–economic hub that Duckworth Street was becoming, “Hip–Capitalism,” as he called it.
The store was projected to house thousands of records available for purchase, spanning practically every genre imaginable. Gushue pointed out how it was arranged in a way that made it easy for customers to find whatever records they were looking for. Brokenshire stated that he would try his best to keep prices as low as possible, and vowed to stock vintage classics and new releases. Brokenshire passed away at the age of 69 in 2021, devastating the local community, but Fred’s lives on as a historic landmark of downtown St. John’s.
(Lee Hurley/The Muse)
Early February seems to be a popular time for grand openings – as 1977 saw the grand opening of the Aquarena, in preparation for the Canada Summer Games.
The initial Aquarena cost an estimated 4.1 million dollars to construct, and was open to Newfoundland swimmers training for the summer games, before extending access to the community as a whole following the games that summer. The pool was designed to accommodate recreational community activities as well as larger–scale sporting events. Canadian 10 meter diving champion at the time, Linda Cuthbert, said that it was “the best pool complex she had ever seen,” easily beating the olympic pool in Montreal.
Canada Summer Games manager Bill Burke said that the pool was “the most modern community recreational facility in all Canada, perhaps even North America.”
In the present day, the pool has been closed for over a year, undergoing renovations in preparation for the 2025 Canada Summer Games. This closure has affected frequent patrons, students, and surrounding businesses, and athletes are anxious to get back into the pool. It will be interesting to see if the renovations are as revolutionary as the grand opening in the 70s.
An international student is at risk of deportation to Pakistan, a country to which she has never been, due to an expired student visa. Although she is eligible to graduate, she must pay $5705.08 of overdue tuition fees in order to receive her diploma and to be able to apply for status to stay in Canada.
The student, who requested to remain anonymous, was born and raised in Saudi Arabia and initially came to study at Memorial University with the financial support of her parents. This changed in 2022 when her parents stopped supporting her.
At first, it was because the family was experiencing financial difficulties. Eventually, however, it became clear that the reason was because they disagreed with her decision to seek medical care for a mental disability. After speaking with a therapist she realized that her parents’ behaviour toward her was abusive.
“When I started going to therapy and started talking about my problems, I learned that my family had been very physically, emotionally, and mentally abusive my whole life,” said the student in an interview with the Muse.
The student’s study permit expired on December 9th, after having to miss several semesters due to lack of funds. “I’m applying for status while being out of status so that means that if that gets rejected, then I would get a removal order.”
A removal order would mean that the student would have to go to the country in which she has status- Pakistan. As she is no longer in contact with her parents, she is unable to return to Saudi Arabia.
“The only country that I have any legal ties to is Pakistan, so they would send me there, and it’s a very dangerous country to be a single woman,” said the student.
Daniel Miller, Treasurer of the Social Justice Co-operative of Newfoundland and Labrador set up a GoFundMe fundraiser to raise money to pay for the overdue tuition, due to the University on February 4th, 2025.
Additionally, the fundraiser hopes to pay for an immigration lawyer who could help the student apply for refugee status if her application for a Post-Graduate Work Visa is rejected. At the time of reporting, the GoFundMe has raised nearly $4,000 of its $9,000 goal.
Boys Who Think put out their first full length, self titled album on Friday, January 24.
The four piece indie rock act features Evan West on lead guitar and vocals, Liam Butler on keyboard and backing vocals, Daniel Trenholm on bass, and Mitchell Tuck on drums. They celebrated at their album release show at The Ship, supported by Little Fauna and Book Club.
Rife with heavy distortion and introspective, dreamy lyrics, “Boys Who Think,” is an enjoyable listen spanning 8 songs and about 40 minutes. The album consists of songs they have played at shows around St. John’s for a year, recorded, mixed, and mastered by local production company Bad Times Club.
Boys Who Think spoke to The Muse about their creative process and musical inspirations when creating their first LP.
Classical Training in the DIY Scene
The St. John’s independent music scenes admirably embody the do-it-yourself spirit, but some classical training definitely doesn’t hurt. Partially hailing from Memorial’s music program helped Boys Who Think with some more technical aspects of writing and efficiency. Using these techniques, West generally took the lead on songwriting, and brought ideas to the rest of the band to fill in as they saw fit.
“We started with sheet music, which is very uncommon in the scene,” West says, “ but you know, why not! If you can read the sheet music you can quickly see what’s there. We’d use bar lines and chord sheets to learn the songs fast.”
“Three of us are classically trained, not necessarily on the instruments we play in the group … but Evan and I were both jazz minors … so we have a certain literacy, we know how to work with the charts – it’s helpful,” keyboardist and vocalist Liam Butler added.
Musical Influences
It’s always interesting to watch bands ‘Frankenstein’ together each members’ individual musical interests to create something new and exciting. The band cited influences across many genres such as punk, indie, psychedelic rock, Midwest emo, and jazz.
“I like to joke that we all look and act like we’re in different bands, we each have a different style but I think it comes together pretty nicely.” West said, “I say that I write indie music, but with influences of jazz, psychedelic rock. I like more atmospheric writing… I write mostly about feelings as opposed to situations – but some of [the songs] are just fun.”
“There are a few shared interests too!” drummer Mitchell Tuck interjected, “I know we’re all pretty big into Steely Dan. I feel like there’s some parallels between some parts of our songs and that whole jazz fusion world.”
Boys Who Think playing “Waver” at The Ship Pub (Lee Hurley/The Muse)
Reception and Future Plans
The album has seen a positive reception so far. Boys Who Think appears to have a core group of people that attend each show religiously. Avid show-goers seem to be glad that the songs are finally available for streaming after hearing them live over the last year.
While the songs on the album are fantastic, the band spoke briefly about their ‘joke’ song that ended up a fan favorite – a surf rock tune called ‘Surfin’ that West said is their only song written collaboratively by all four members.
“We wrote it completely as a joke,” Tuck says.
“We started cutting it from our performances because its all anyone would ask for,” Trenholm adds, “You’d get up on stage, play the first song and throughout the set everyone’s just like “play Surfin’!” after every song.”
“It would be even more disheartening when you get new viewership in and they come up after the show and they’re like “oh man that was fantastic, I loved “Surfin'”!” Butler said.
Boys Who Think is planning on taking somewhat of a backseat in lieu of their album release. However, some members are planning on independently participating in the Unpossible NL’s February RPM challenge which Butler dubbed “a good opportunity to workshop some new material to potentially bring to this ensemble.”
This past week, the provincial Auditor General, Denise Hanrahan, released a report on the state of Memorial University’s facilities management, alleging severe negligence by Memorial’s administration, regarding the condition of campus infrastructure and property management.
While one of the main concerns observed was the poor utilization of property- the abundant presence of asbestos and mould drew wide attention from the public.
Although these are not new revelations, the AG report found that MUN’s administration, in effect, ignored persisting maintenance issues while simultaneously spending Campus Renewal funds on items such as a tractor for the Grenfell campus in Corner Brook, and 196 laptops.
Many of the noted issues confronted in the AG report include deferred maintenance, misuse of the campus renewal fee, negligent oversight of facilities maintenance expenditure, and more.
Failures could put student health at risk
Highlighting some of the ramifications of Memorial’s current infrastructure challenges and failures, the AG report stated the following:
“With the University’s outstanding repairs at $481 million (almost a quarter of the replacement value), the management of these liabilities and renewal of infrastructure is critical. Failing to address the infrastructure deficiencies negatively impacts student experiences and poses potential health risks, such as roof leaks, failing elevators, exposed asbestos, and collapsed ceilings.”
“Since deferred maintenance could include the abatement of asbestos and mold within the University’s buildings, if part of a planned project, addressing the outstanding repairs would decrease the risk to student health.”
“We found that Memorial University does not effectively or efficiently manage its capital portfolio. From a weak policy environment to poor space management practices to a questionable deferred maintenance procedure, it appears Memorial does not have the culture to manage its aging infrastructure.”
Throughout the report, the office of the Auditor General raised a series of concerns about the state of neglect stemming from an inability to maintain significant portions of its property.
“Without significant effort to re-focus and re-define the management of its capital portfolio, Memorial will continue to face challenges in maintaining appropriate facilities. Any funding needed to tackle the significant deficiencies should only be expended when a reasonable plan, with appropriate policies and oversight, is defined and implemented – otherwise, it will potentially be an ineffective and inefficient use of taypayer [sic] and student dollars.”
“There is a lack of oversight throughout the organization, with many of the figures and information used for our audit being unreliable or questionable. Unfortunately, some of what we found in this audit was not new.”
Memorial responds to criticism, draws path forward
In a statement, Memorial responded to the AG report by accepting all nine recommendations, attempting to address concerns about deferred maintenance.
President Bose committed to not increasing the campus renewal fee, and says that the administration plans to relinquish portions of its space. Bose says that Memorial grapples with longstanding financial deficits, and may seek a loan from the provincial government to resolve deferred maintenance.
Recent AG observations in line with previous 2023 financial audit
This report adds upon previous audit revelations found in the performance report, published by the AG office in the fall of 2023. Among that report’s findings from the 2022 audit period, MUN was accused of “unreasonable” executive expenses (including $1,792 for custom-made chocolates), the highest level of executive pay compared to other Canadian universities, and $1.1 million spent on third-party recruiters.
Students and faculty “not surprised” by report of campus conditions
This report comes in the wake of recent FundMUN campaigning by the Campus Coalition, calling upon the provincial government to provide increased funding to alleviate crumbling infrastructure conditions.
Speaking in an interview with the Muse, set to air on January 27th, the Campus Coalition spoke on the frustrations with the provincial government and their refusal to meet with campus leaders from labour and student unions.
Student and staff unions announce the #FundMUN campaign (Jake Laybolt/The Muse)
For accessibility, and to summarize the audit we’ve highlighted some of the notable figures, sourced from the Audit Overview in the following section:
Misuse of Campus Renewal Fee and Deferred Maintenance
MUN was unable to identify eligibility for expenditures sourced from the campus renewal fees and no documents guiding said policy existed. Half of the maintenance documents in one sample were considered “inadequate.”
The AG assessed a “lack of oversight of the allocation and use of [CRE] funding” despite 8 committees existing specifically for infrastructure.
Despite the Marine Institute being allocated campus renewal fee funds, the MI’s buildings are leased from the government, which is responsible for maintenance.
In one sample, 37 out of 62, found that 60% of expenditures used CRF funding in a way that didn’t align with the purpose of the fee. Of that total $2.5 million misusedamount, 16 of the 37 expenditure samples were used for “furniture and equipment purchases…” which were totalled at $171,934. Six of those 37 samples totalled $1.3 million used for “computer equipment or software.”
The$7.8 million annual revenue collected exclusively from students via the CRF was “the only dedicated funding source” allocated to the $481 million in deferred maintenance. The AG deemed this to be “insufficient to address deferred maintenance requirements.”
One repair sourced from the CRF took place at an unnamed incorporated entity connected to the university- “which are not intended to avail of [CRE] funds.”
Despite the Campus Deferred Renewal Plan deciding on a 1-2% annual reinvestment rate, the average annual rate since the CRF was introduced was a meagre 0.26%. The AG estimates that a further $20-40 million would be needed to meet annual targets.
While the Board of Regents greenlit a financial plan in 2020, to borrow $100 million for the purposes of addressing deferred maintenance over eight years- no implementation had taken place as of the audit.
The Campus Renewal Fee, which is solely sourced from Students was placed on a temporary pause for the September 2024-August 2025 period. The CRE is charged at a differing rate depending on study status and course enrolment but was capped at a maximum $250 per student.
“Critical” Infrastructure Maintenance being deferred
MUN’s facilities condition index was ranked as “poor and nearing critical” during the audit period. The AG noted, “It appears based on our audit work that this rating may be inaccurate and in worse condition than Memorial has stated.”
From 2012 to 2024, deferred maintenance increased in estimated cost from $367 million to $481 million- approximately 31%, rather than improving over the 12-year period. Of this $114 million jump, $93 million was identified as “critical.” One sample found 27 out of 40 items as being beyond their recommended maintenance date– estimated at a cost of $22.1 million.
Exterior light infrastructure was costed at $208,000 and was “37 years past its action date when it was removed through reassessment.”
Growth of population and land use
Despite underutilized property, the AG estimates that MUN’s footprint accelerated from a size of 3.8 million sq ft in 2012 to 5.1 million sq ft in 2023; a 34% increase in land despite an estimated student population reduction of 1.4%for the same period. The AG also stated thatthe government freeze on MUN’s footprint “did not have a material overall impact on the University’s footprint growth.”
Classroom and Laboratory use
Classrooms were only utilized 40% of available daytime hours, with laboratories only being utilized 22% of the available hours.
MUN did not have standardized procedures for classroom scheduling.
Faculties were permitted to refuse the Registrar’s space utilization suggestions.
There is no identified committee tasked with monitoring classroom/laboratory scheduling.
19 courses with zero enrolment had space reserved for the 2024 Winter Semester.
A Tale of Two Science Buildings
Only 49% of space in the Core Science Facility was actively occupied by academic units- while only 11% was occupied by Faculty of Science departments.
Despite the $347 million CSF standing at twice the space of the older Science Building- no classrooms nor laboratories were shared, and the AG only measured a 16% utilization rate.
Space Management
No space audits were completed, despite the need to do so, and a failure to schedule them by Facilities Management between the period of April 2022 and March 2024.
Leased space management:
MUN is not aware of the amount of space it is leasing.
35 of 68 leases (a total calculated at $2 million) from the audit period had no documentation of explored alternative space options prior to agreeing to the $1.3 million worth of leased property.
No agreements were found for two buildings leased by the Marine Institute, from the government.
The Muse will continue coverage as this story develops.
In a letter to the Minister of Education obtained by the Muse via an access to information request, former Chair of the Board of Regents Glenn Barnes gives his perspective on the events that led to his resignation.
Barnes resigned from the Board on August 15th after an internal review found that he had violated its Code of Conduct. Barnes emailed the father of an alumna who sent him a letter requesting that Memorial divest from companies with ties to Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
The letter was part of a ‘click-to-email’ campaign organized by MUN Students for Palestine. In the email to the alumna’s father, Barnes said he was “telling parents that I know just what their kids are doing,” and that the student protesters “need to grow up.”
According to the former student, her father replied to Barnes to say that he should direct his comments to her and that it was not appropriate for him to send the email to outside parties.
“My first response was, I’m 35. I have two children of my own. I’m not a kid. And, certainly, neither are any university students,” said Becky Winsor, teacher and Memorial Alumna responding to the incident in an interview with the Muse in July 2024.
“I’m an alumni, so I’m not a current student, but for any person, community, student, alumni, whomever, it’s very concerning that someone in that position … would be tattling to parents of adult children.”
Barnes does not directly address this incident in the letter and has not spoken publicly on the issue.
Resignation letter received by access to information request
In the letter, Barnes says he was “saddened with the extent of personal and professional attacks on the leadership of Memorial and also those directed at me personally.” He does not give any examples of these attacks.
He says that he “was taught to be kind, to be honest, to put others ahead of yourself and to do what you can to help others. I was taught torespect others, to seek the facts first.”
“Sadly, this is in short supply in some areas related to Memorial.”
Nikita Stapleton, a member of MUN Students For Palestine, says that Barnes fails to take accountability in his letter.
“Barnes laments the ‘challenges facing MUN’ but takes no accountability for his own role in exacerbating them via his privacy violation and inappropriate response to public concerns,” says Stapleton.
In a response to the letter, Education Minister Krista-Lynn Howell said she regrets the circumstances that led to his resignation and thanked him for his contributions as chair.
The Muse contacted Barnes for comment but has not received a response.
Glenn Barnes started as Chair of the MUN Board of Regents in 2022 and first became a member of the Board of Regents in 2017. (The Gazette)
Barnes’ full letter is reproduced below:
“I was honoured to have been appointed in 2017 to sit on the MemorialUniversity Board of Regents. In October 2022 I was appointed as chair.Memorial has and continues to face challenges and great opportunities.
Memorial, and indeed post secondary institutions worldwide have beenand continue to be under pressure to reduce cost as the publicswillingness to finance such institutions and general fiscal capacitydeclines. Memorial has and continues to respond to that, however thatis negatively impacting programming and facilities.
There is an ever-present requirement to balance ensuring thatMemorial fulfills its mandate from and responsibility to the people ofNewfoundland and Labrador and to our students to provide a qualityeducation and carry out research that is vital to our society in a fiscallyprudent manner.
Memorial is ever evolving as society changes and we are tasked torespond to contemporary educational and research needs.I believe that as Memorial enters its second century it is at a point ofinflection as we must find ways to reshape the institution to meetcurrent and future need within several challenges.
Memorial has many challenges. The seeds of many were sown prior tomy being appointed as chair. I came into this role with a personalmandate to do what I could to make Memorial a happier place, a morepositive place to work, learn and research. I believe that in part that hasbeen achieved.
I have worked to lead in a reshaping of our fiscalapproaches and started a reshaping of the institution as a whole torespond to contemporary and future needs of our people and societywithin the area of the mandate of the Board of Regents. There is muchwork that remains.
Sadly, progress has been and continues to be slow. There have beenhowever many successes such as the masters degree in ArtificialIntelligence, and the masters in Social Enterprise. Memorial work inbeing great equalizer – of leading society in respect for all cultures,in equality for all persons is commendable.
The leadership of Memorial continues to manage relentless challengesfrom within and externally. There has been a constant line of major filessince I became chair that have and continue to take attention awayfrom our core mandate as an institution and slow down progress inmoving Memorial forward.
Memorial, the people of our province andour students in my view are not being well served when attention is sofocused on so many agendas and biases.Universities are places of free thought and expression within the rule oflaw, good taste, honesty and respect for others.
I sure everyoneassociated with Memorial guards this right. The day free expression isthwarted would be a sad day for our world. Sadly, this is already thecase in some parts of the globe.
I am saddened with the extent of personal and professional attacks onthe leadership of Memorial and also those directed at me personallywhich have been based on inaccurate information and incorrectassumptions. I was taught to be kind, to be honest, to put others aheadof yourself and to do what you can to help others.
I was taught torespect others, to seek the facts first. Sadly, this is in short supply insome areas related to Memorial.I have worked very closely with the leaders and administrators atMemorial every day. I say without any hesitancy that each and everyone of them is the finest that I have ever worked with. We arefortunate to have such a highly skilled, talented and dedicated group.
These people are not nine-to-five people. They work nights, weekendsand holidays on a regular basis. They are always available. They give upvacations, many gave up their Christmas last year, and most recentlyseveral weekends dealing with recent protest challenges.
Seniorleadership have been the recipients of terrible comments from thosewho seek to advance their own causes. These were completelyunwarranted.
It is unfortunate that so much attention, time and effort is focused onthose at many levels of Memorial who seek to advance personal biasesand causes which do negatively impact those who wish to work andlearn in a comfortable environment.
Express views yes, but please dorespect others views and right to lead, work and learn.
I am precluded from speaking about Board of Regents activities.However, I feel that I have little choice but to ask you to seek a newchair of the Board of Regents.
I do this with a heavy heart. I was honoured to be appointed to theBoard of Regents and then its chair. However, the relentless nastycomments and actions have led me to this decision.
I wish Memorial, its students and in particular its senior leadership andadministrators every joy and success in the future. Memorial is a critical institution to our province; it deserves the full support of every citizen.“
Response from Minster Krista Lynn Howell:
“On behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, thank you for your correspondence earlier today submitting your resignation as Chair of the Board of Regents at Memorial University.
I appreciate the information you provided in your correspondence and acknowledge thechallenging times of change facing our university and its leadership team.
I regret the circumstances that led to your resignation and would like to thank you for your work and contribution to the university during your time as Chair.”
Since 1950, dedicated student journalists at Memorial have reported on campus affairs, community events, politics, controversies, local entertainment – you name it.
This Week in Muse History series highlights notable articles and topics reported on by past students to celebrate 75 years of The Muse. This series also gives insight into student issues of the past – they are not as different as you might think.
(Lee Hurley/The Muse)
On January 27, 1964, The Muse reported on the “feud” between Canadian Union of Students (CUS) President David Jenkins, and MUN student union representative Ian MacDonald. The two argued when Jenkins visited MUN, as MacDonald echoed student concerns about not seeing action from the CUS that justified the annual fee of 60 cents per student.
Similarly to conversations in 2025 surrounding Memorial’s recent audit, MacDonald was worried the student’s money was being mismanaged, and expressed frustration about Newfoundland not seeing positive effects of the CUS’s actions – especially compared to other provinces.
MUN’s student union proposed the idea of slashing the annual contribution from $2 000 total down to $300. This would result in MUN losing their vote at the national CUS congress, which MacDonald wasn’t averse to, because he thought that Memorial’s vote didn’t hold much weight. After some consideration, MUN remained with the CUS despite the student union’s concerns.
(Lee Hurley/The Muse)
On January 28, 1972, The Muse wrote about labor relations issues affecting the cleaning company Sanitary Cleaners Ltd. that MUN hired to tend to Paton College.
This was when residence buildings were still segregated by sex – male cleaners would clean the men’s residence, and female cleaners would be responsible for the women’s residence. The company, however, was only paying female employees $1.10 per hour, and male employees $1.45–$1.65 per hour.
A new law in the Human Rights Constitution at the time stated that women should have “equal pay for equal work,” but the vague definition of what counts as “equal work” was a loophole for companies to pay women less, and discriminate based on sex.
Female employees of Sanitary Cleaners Ltd. decided not to comment on the matter – it seemed like they just wanted to get their work done and leave, but either way, the pay discrepancy was unethical. Newfoundland mandated a same-pay scheme a few years later that prohibited discrimination based on sex.
(Lee Hurley/The Muse)
On January 30, 1997, The Muse covered a rally protesting rising tuition fees and government cuts to provincial education programs – sound familiar?
Both MUN and CNA students came together to protest at the confederation building in hopes of their demands being heard. The protest, however, did not see as good of a turnout as previous years. 1995 saw a significant turnout, with 5000 students coming out to protest too-high tuition fees. The “Emergency Student Loan Fund” dried up in record time, leaving students in bad financial standing without any loan forgiveness. There was also a significant increase of students going to the campus food bank, unable to afford groceries, similar to many student’s reality in 2025.
On Saturday afternoon, a small group of cyclists from the MUN Bike Hub took the first ride of the semester. With scenic views, postcard-worthy landscapes and the breeze on your face as you whizz by, it is the perfect way to unwind and explore the Quidi Vidi Harbour. From avid riders to beginners, it was a great day to enjoy the outdoors. With high spirits, safety lessons and brief introductions, the adventure began at 2 o’clock from Queen’s College.
The route was quite easy (and mostly downhill). It took us across Rennie’s River, parallel to the Rennie’s Mill trail (we were on the road), along the north side of Quidi Vidi Lake, and eventually out to scenic Quidi Vidi Harbour, in time for a traditional music performance at the wharf. Afterwards, some of us visited the artisan’s market and went for refreshments. One by one we departed and headed home.
Rennie’s River. (Photo by Otis Crandell.)
Some quotes from participants.
“The obvious step up from being passionate about something is having people to share that passion with. With MUN Bike Hub’s first excursion to Quidi Vidi, I felt part of a community not just excited about bikes and riding, but also about the cause of building greater cycling infrastructure in urban spaces. The bonus was exploring what the city has to offer, while riding together!“ -Ayon, a second-year doctoral student at MUN.
“No view is as beautiful as the one from a set of handlebars with friends. We had a great ride around town in a pace, where everyone was able to follow along. I’m already psyched about our next group ride and hope we are gonna be even more people enjoying the nature of St. John’s.“ -Markus, foreign exchange student at MUN.
“Riding through the streets of downtown St. John’s and onto Quidi Vidi village was exciting for a new biker like me. I very much recommend it!“ -Modeline, resident of St. John’s and new cyclist.
Some of the group at Quidi Vidi Harbour. (Photo by Otis Crandell)
The winter semester is here, and student life is back in full swing. It’s easy to miss what’s happening on campus, but don’t worry, we got you covered. Here is what is on the go this month:
Thursday, January 9th
Food on the Move, the Loft (UC-3013), 11am-2pm: Food First NL will bring locally sourced veggies for purchase at affordable prices.
Trivia Night, The Breezeway, 8pm (19+): Compete for prizes in a battle of wits. Test your knowledge of pop culture, geography, music, and more!
Friday, January 10th
Henna Tattoos, the Loft (UC-3013), 12pm-2pm: Get a free henna tattoo, hosted as part of MUNSU’s Winter Welcome.
Cafe Concert: A Random Act at Memorial, UC Food Court, 12-12:30PM: Watch a lunch time performance from a fellow MUN students, hosted by the Student Experience Office.
Second Stage: Becca Bartlett/Dogfish/Book Club/Twin Brooks/ The Fencesitters/Breadclip, Second Stage (268 Water Street), Doors open 6pm (All Ages, $15/PWYC): Check out this packed line up for a show at Second Stage, a dry venue for all ages.
Sea-Hawks Women’s Volleyball Game, The Fieldhouse, 7pm: Cheer on the MUN Sea-Hawks as they face-off against the Saint Mary’s Huskies.
Students performing at a Random Act of Memorial (MUN)
Anime Movie Night: Childhood Shows, Science Building (SN-2109), 7:30pm: Hosted by Anime Film Society.
DJ Night, The Breezeway, 8pm (Free, 19+): Listen to local DJs at the campus bar, hosted as part of MUNSU’s Winter Welcome.
Saturday, January 11th
Sea-Hawks Women’s Volleyball Game, The Fieldhouse, 1pm: Cheer on the MUN Sea-Hawks as they face-off against the Saint Mary’s Huskies.
Internal Structure of the Brain: Owen Finn Band/Michael Shallow/The Ames Window, The Ship Pub, 8:30 (19+, $10): Join MUN Psych Society for a night of rock, folk, and “sponataneous expressions of joy.”
Monday, January 13th
Games in the Loft, UC-3013, 11AM-3PM: Join MUN Tabletop Games Club for board games, hosted as part of MUNSU’s Winter Welcome.
MUNday Funday, 3rd Floor UC, 12-3pm: Table games, face painting, rock painting and Laser tag with Frontline Action, hosted by the Student Experience office.
The Muse Team Open Meeting, the Council Chambers, UC-2001,4-5pm: Interested in joining the Muse? Would like to contribute? Come to our open meeting and learn how to get involved.
Coffee Night Social: Board Games, UC Food Court, 6-8pm: Pizza, board games, and social hosted by MUN Board Games Club and the Student Experience Office.
Sea-Hawks competing against Dalhousie (Udantha Chandraratne)
Tuesday, January 14th
Clubs and Society Fair, UC 3rd Floor, 10am-2pm: here are over 100 clubs and societies on campus, find out what one piques your interest at this tabling event hosted by MUNSU.
Conversation with Professors and Student Leaders, UC 3rd Floor, 1-2pm: Ask questions to panel of students and professors, hosted by MUN’s Student Experience Office.
Grocery Shuttle, Global Learning Centre, 5pm-9pm: MUNSU’s free shuttle service to and from Sobeys on Kelsey Drive. Departs every 30 minutes.
Gaming Night, The Landing (UC-3015), 6-8pm: Join Smash NL, Sandbox Gaming, and the Student Experience Office for a night of video games (and pizza).
GSU Winter Welcome and Club Fair, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation (IIC), 6-9pm: Join the Graduate Student Union for a tabling event at the Bruneau Centre.
Wednesday, January 15th
Poetry Open Mic, the Breezeway, 1-3pm: Aspiring and veteran poets alike are invited to showcase their work at the Breezeway. Hosted as part of MUNSU’s Winter Welcome.
“Do you wanna build a Snowman?,” QE II Library Green Space,1-2pm: Join the Student Experience Office in front of the library to build a snowman.
Open Mic Night, the Breezeway, 8pm (19+): Sing karaoke, try out your stand-up, or just enjoy the show.
Thursday, January 16th
Beading Workshop, the Loft (UC-3013), 12-4PM: A free workshop where you can learn how to bead, hosted as part of MUNSU’s Winter Welcome.
Trivia Night, The Breezeway, 8pm (19+): Compete for prizes in a battle of wits. Test your knowledge of pop culture, geography, music, and more!
Friday, January 17th
Calatheas Plant Sale Pop-Up, The Loft, 11AM-3PM: Need some green in your apartment? Come by to shop for plants from Calatheas.
Winter Tent Gathering, Grounds of Juniper House (208 Elizabeth Ave.), 11AM-2PM: Hosted in partnership with First Light St. John’s Friendship Centre, Memorial Student Life and the Indigenous Student Resource Centre. Winter Tent Gathering is a time to welcome Indigenous students, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, staff and faculty back to campus for another semester.
Cultural Fashion Show, The Landing (UC-3015), 1-3pm: Join the Student Experience Office for this event that “showcases the rich cultural diversity on our campus.”
Anime Movie Night: Ghibli Night, Science Building (SN-2109), 7:30pm: Join the Anime Film Society for a night of Studio Ghibli movies.
Silent Disco, the Breezeway, 8pm ($5, 19+): MUNSU brings back this popular night where you can dance with headphones synced up to your choice of live DJ.
Past cultural fashion show participants pose in the landing (MUN)
Monday, January 20th
The Muse Team Open Meeting, the Council Chambers, UC-2001,4-5pm: Interested in joining the Muse? Would like to contribute? Come to our open meeting and learn how to get involved.
Don’t Get Mad – Get Organized!, St. John’s Farmers Market,7-9:30PM: Join Equal Voice NL for a gathering on taking action in community, with panels featuring local women and gender-diverse leaders. Registration required.
Tuesday, January 21st
Grocery Shuttle, Global Learning Centre, 5pm-9pm: MUNSU’s free shuttle service to and from Sobeys on Kelsey Drive. Departs every 30 minutes.
Wednesday, January 22nd
MUNSU Board Meeting, Council Chambers (UC-2001), 5-7PM: Open to any undergraduate student.
Thursday, January 23rd
MUN Students for Palestine Info Night, Arts and Administration Lobby, 5PM: Learn more about the campaign for divestment at this information session.
Friday, January 24th
Anime Movie Night: Winter Season Sampler, Science Building (SN-2109), 7:30PM: Join the Anime Film Society for sampling of anime showings.
Sea-Hawks Women’s Basketball Game, The Fieldhouse, 6PM: Cheer on the MUN Sea-Hawks as they face-off against the Saint-Mary’s Huskies.
Sea-Hawks Men’s Basketball Game, The Fieldhouse, 8PM: Cheer on the MUN Sea-Hawks as they face-off against the Saint-Mary’s Huskies.
Saturday, January 25th
Sea-Hawks Women’s Basketball Game, The Fieldhouse, 6PM: Cheer on the MUN Sea-Hawks as they face-off against the Saint-Mary’s Huskies.
Sea-Hawks Men’s Basketball Game, The Fieldhouse, 8PM: Cheer on the MUN Sea-Hawks as they face-off against the Saint-Mary’s Huskies.
Sunday, January 26th
Coastlines and Coffee, Signal Hill Campus, 11AM-1PM: Join authors Marjorie Doyle and Willow Kean for a conversation with Angela Antle. Register here.
Monday, January 27th
The Muse Team Open Meeting, the Council Chambers, UC-2001,4-5pm: Interested in joining the Muse? Would like to contribute? Come to our open meeting and learn how to get involved.
Tuesday, January 28th
Grocery Shuttle, Global Learning Centre, 5pm-9pm: MUNSU’s free shuttle service to and from Sobeys on Kelsey Drive. Departs every 30 minutes.
Friday, January 31st
Anime Movie Night: Early 2000s Anime, Science Building (SN-2109), 7:30PM: Join the Anime Film Society and Memorial Arts Religious-Studies Society for sampling of anime showings.
Sea-Hawks Women’s Volleyball Game, The Fieldhouse, 7pm: Cheer on the MUN Sea-Hawks as they face-off against the Acadia Axewomen.
I hate breaking rules. I’ve never even received a speeding ticket. Imagine my surprise to find myself with a court date this week to enter a plea after I got arrested on my university campus.
For anyone who hasn’t been following the news on local rabble-rousers here are the Cliffs Notes: MUN Students for Palestine (MS4P), which formed in May 2024, demanded that MUN disclose and divest from any investments complicit in the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people. MUN declined to do so, which sparked students to start a two-week outdoor encampment followed by a four-week indoor occupation of the Arts and Admin building.
This pressured MUN to disclose over $7 million (now updated to more than $15 million) invested in complicit companies, including weapons manufacturers that sold arms to Israel. Our student occupation continued until MUN sent police to shut down the protest on July 5th. I and two other students were arrested and charged with petty trespassing. We have a five-day trial set for mid-June. We continued our protest in a decentralized way, but ultimately MUN succeeded in using police to reduce the effective pressure we could apply.
Here is some background information to help you contextualize my experience. I am a white Canadian student. I have never been involved in university student politics before this. I am an anthropology grad student, and although many of my classes deal with unmasking systems of oppression and colonialism, I have been privileged enough to deal with these issues in term papers rather than being confronted with them in my personal life.
First, let me remind you of the statistics about the Genocide in Palestine. In July of 2024, contributors to the Lancet, a peer-reviewed medical journal, had this to say about death tolls: “In recent conflicts, such indirect deaths range from three to 15 times the number of direct deaths. Applying a conservative estimate of four indirect deaths per one direct death to the 37, 396 deaths reported, it is not implausible to estimate that up to 186, 000 or even more deaths could be attributable to the current conflict in Gaza.” This was published 5 months ago.
In April of 2024, a month before we set up our encampment, the UN published a press release stating experts were gravely concerned about the targeted Israeli attacks on educational infrastructure in Gaza, including the destruction of 13 public libraries, and 195 heritage sites. In November 2024, UNICEF published an article which said there were two attacks per day on schools in Gaza in a single month.
I sometimes pick up substitute shifts at the public libraries here in town. By chance, my last shift at the library before the encampment started was working during toddler music time. One boy was too shy to join the group playing instruments but whispered the right answers to his mom from his place hiding behind shelves on the other side of the room. Every time I see the statistics about the attacks on public libraries in Gaza, I think of that little boy.
LESSON 1: The situation at MUN is much worse than you think!
Sorry to be a downer but yes, really, it’s worse! MUN has not only refused to acknowledge that there is a genocide happening but has insisted on complete “neutrality.” In a May 24th meeting MUN President Bose said the University could not take “a political stance” because they have a responsibility to accommodate “multiple viewpoints.” Investing in companies actively providing weapons used by Israel in genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity doesn’t exactly feel neutral to me.
In a June 13th meeting, we asked if MUN could acknowledge the fact that the International Court of Justice had ruled that there were plausible grounds to find Israel has been committing genocide. Dr. Jennifer Lokash, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) Pro Tempore, said they would not be including the word genocide in a statement. In fact, she had read the ICJ report and thought it was more nuanced than that. The report in question notes that “In the Court’s view, at least some of the acts and omissions alleged by South Africa to have been committed by Israel in Gaza appear to be capable of falling within the provisions of the [Genocide] Convention.”
Investigators with extensive experience in the area have reached different conclusions than the MUN admin. Medicines Sans Frontieres (MSF), have published statements illustrating the situation “For more than a year, our medical staff in Gaza have witnessed a relentless campaign by the Israeli forces marked by massive destruction, devastation, and dehumanisation.”
Although MSF acknowledges they lack “legal authority to establish intentionality,” they have noted “the signs of ethnic cleansing and the ongoing devastation – including mass killings, severe physical and mental health injuries, forced displacement, and impossible conditions of life for Palestinians under siege and bombardment – are undeniable.” Amnesty International recently published a report which “assesses allegations of violations and crimes under international law by Israel in Gaza within the framework of genocide under international law, concluding that there is sufficient evidence to believe that Israel’s conduct in Gaza following 7 October 2023 amounts to genocide.”
In a June 18th meeting, MS4P was allowed to present to select representatives of the Board of Regents. Chair Glenn Barnes helpfully peeled back the progressive university mask to let us know, at the end of the day, MUN cares more about making money than if they are actively contributing to the brutal slaughter of civilians when he said “Our job is to make sure we have investments that have the best return… You have to sort of avoid getting too deep into subjective viewpoints.”
But enough rehashing meetings! Boring! I don’t have Twitter or Reddit, so I luckily didn’t really have to see any of the shitty comments left about me – some of my comrades weren’t so lucky. I can name half a dozen or so fellow protesters in the student movement and community who have received death and rape threats that are so vile I’m not going to quote them.
Sometimes they would be littered with racial abuse or graphic details about harming their family members. A student protester was even physically assaulted during an off-campus march. One delightful individual liked to loiter around the encampment and film us while asking if we support baby murder. Nope! In fact, we are ardently protesting against the killing of children and MUN’s investments in corporations that enable it.
Three of the Pro-Palestine student-protesters on the night of their arrest (Submitted)
These incidents were upsetting to protesters, but fail to encapsulate the systemic quality of the repression of the protest. This is only the first lesson, so I’ll skip right past the misleading or outright false claims to media, the constant weaponization of safety discourse, the code of conduct breach and the subsequent resignation of Glenn Barnes, and get right to the fabrication of threats against students.
Picture this, it’s 7:33 AM on a delightful sunny Monday morning, and you and three of your sweet comrades are writing informational messages in chalk on the sidewalk in front of the Art and Admin building. Kesha is blaring from a small Bluetooth speaker (come on, you’re doing radical chalk messages. You need background music). A Campus Enforcement officer approaches and tells you that you should be careful with your chalk messages because individuals have told him they’d break your “effing” neck if they caught you at it.
How do you feel? Concerned he’s using alleged death threats to sanction our messages instead of, say, getting the person’s name or writing an incident report? Me too! So we checked with the Student Liaison Ailsa Craig and Chief Risk Officer Greg McDougall (recently ‘restructured’ out of MUN under mysterious circumstances) who told us no report was filed because there was no credible threat.
Right. But a kettle in the lobby was so dangerous it warranted confiscation by CEP, and when I leaned a poster against a wet floor sign (the floor was dry) it warranted an incident report. As part of a separate RNC case, the CEP officer first said to the police that we were exaggerating or misunderstanding what he said. When presented with an audio recording of the conversation, he admitted in a statement to police that he had fabricated the threats. To our knowledge, no action was ever taken to address this.
Myself and another student filed complaints with the Human Rights Commission. Our claim was dropped because according to them, we could not prove that the purpose of the fabricated threats was to intimidate us specifically due to our political opinions. No matter where we turned, or what avenues we took, or which officials we appealed to, in every instance, the responses were demoralizing and disillusioning. Our first court date was mysteriously a month earlier than was stated on the docket, switched at 4 pm on the day before we had to be in court without any notification. We have had radio silence from MPs and the Minister of Education.
This is all part of a larger pattern of intentional and widespread repression of Palestinian solidarity groups. A recent statement by a UN Special Rapporteur draws attention to the issue, who said that “the brutal repression of the university-based protest movement is a profound threat to democratic systems and institutions.”
LESSON 2: MUN Administrators failed to show leadership in the face of a genocide
It seems as if leadership positions are seldom held by ‘leaders.’ Memorial University administrators would rather continue funding a genocide than take a principled, and arguably more neutral, stance by choosing to not be invested in weapons manufacturing. They said that choosing divestment would be a political stance, something inappropriate for a university.
In their own words, the complicit direct investments of the pension committee made up “less than one-third of one percent” of the total pension fund. That money could be moved into a different sector with similar returns, but on July 11th, the Board of Regents voted to instead retain those investments. During the South Africa anti-apartheid movement, MUN also made the sickening choice not to divest, and offered up many of the same excuses of fiduciary responsibility and the need to refrain from political statements.
Article from the Muse archives after MUN Board of Regents rejected calls for divestment from apartheid South Africa and Chile (DAI/The Muse)
In the first meeting we had with MUN admin, as multiple members of admin donned pride merchandise, we pointed out that supporting LGBTQ+ pride initiatives is also a political stance. Rhea Rollman’s bookA Queer History of Newfoundland has some interesting insight on that front. In 1990, MUN was considering hiding security guards in bathroom ceilings to catch gay students. Just before that, UBC refused to allow the ‘Gay Olympics’ to be held on campus, for fear of UBC becoming associated with homosexuality. The president justified this choice by saying “One doesn’t want to have an informal identity with an issue of such controversy… I don’t think the university is the place to make political statements.” That sure sounds familiar! From East Coast to West Coast – different issue, same flimsy excuse. A cowardly reluctance to stand up for human rights is justified by suggesting it would be too political.
The people in the leadership of these institutions serve to uphold the power of the colonial systems that these institutions are founded on. Their ranks are swollen with self-proclaimed equity champions who clam up when doing the right thing means standing up for something that isn’t yet popular or profitable. Across the country, universities chose to use police to repress their own students rather than divest from weapons manufacturers.
To make matters worse, MUN didn’t even seek their own injunction, but blindly relied on the University of Toronto decision – a legal ruling for a different institution, different form of occupation, and different province. Heidi Matthews, a legal scholar, described this decision as “absolutely disgusting” and “disturbing” in a CBC interview this summer. In our meeting with Board of Regents representatives, MUN’s lawyer informed us that MUN consulted with other universities and took decision-making cues. If all of your friends were funding war crimes, would you?
LESSON 3: Community is everything
The protest would have been impossible without networks of community support. During the active encampment and occupation, we were fed every day by a community meal train. We received a few hundred dollars in donations from community members but we turned down thousands. We encouraged folks instead to donate directly to mutual aid for Gazans or to amazing medical teams like Glia.
Still, every day, we would receive emails, messages and visits from people eager to contribute however they could. We made it through 45 days of continuous protest. The messages of solidarity were just as crucial as the food and tents. People donated time to give teach-ins. We helped each other maintain perspective and drive. Two of the weekly marches which usually took place downtown were moved on campus. Older and more experienced activists helped us with organization and offered morale, wisdom, and Georgestown Bagels.
When the police arrived, I put on sweatpants over my shorts, and a sweater, despite the heat of the lobby because we’d been warned it was cold in jail. We did not know if we would be arrested, or even held for the night or over the weekend. There were other students present who were more vulnerable than myself. They were able to avoid arrest but were nonetheless forced to confront armed police officers. The RNC was already on site before CEP even mentioned the word trespass or told us police had been called.
The police directed two CEP officers to grab my friend, and each took an arm physically removing her from the lobby. A small woman in a red skirt, surrounded by bulky dark uniforms. I felt my first and only acute stab of fear. It wasn’t the arrest itself I was scared of, but the idea of being separated from my community. I can vividly remember them leading her out through the wooden doors plastered with photos of Palestinian children.
Student protester being led away by CEP to be arrested by RNC. (Submitted)
I was next, and I remember that only one of the CEP officers actually grabbed me, the older one, proud and clearly inflated with his own sense of self-importance. The other one didn’t touch me but just marched alongside, hesitant and self-conscious, half reaching for my arm. I hoped he was ashamed.
In the hallway, an officer processed me, telling me that I was under arrest, and reading me my rights and charge. CEP interrogated me on what classes I was registered in, in what felt like an effort to find out if I was secretly a non-student imposter. When the police and CEP were done with paperwork, they led me out of the hallway through a side door I had forgotten about in the blur of my newfound criminality.
Officers opened the door to send me out, and immediately two community members began berating them for the shame of arresting students and doubling down on supporting genocide. As they let me out the door, I felt like a dazed cod fish in a catch-and-release program, still clutching a picture of a murdered Palestinian school teacher. I hadn’t expected anyone to be at that door, and I immediately felt so grateful and safe. Weeks after the arrests, a different comrade told me that when they saw us getting arrested, it made them cry.
The moments that stood out to me the most from the arrest and aftermath were about the people around me, and how important we are to each other. We feel so much rage and sadness and fear. We talk about it in grief circles. We also talk about how all of the rage and fear and grief and need to do something comes from the love we feel for our fellow human beings, here, in Gaza and everywhere.
LESSON 4: Solidarity Now
Links between groups working for liberation are key for the success of all of our movements. The leaders of institutions that are currently committing or supporting genocide have unified and widespread tactics for repression. We need unified and widespread resistance. During the MUNFA strike, the community and students pulled together to support the striking professors. For us, support was instrumental in achieving any of the progress that we did. Recently, we showed solidarity with striking CUPW workers. Our local movement is part of a larger global call to end the ongoing occupation and genocide in Palestine. There are hundreds of similar on and off-campus groups across the world, and our strength comes from solidarity.
If you’re involved in any kind of activism or community group, start thinking about how you can build connections and work with others for collective liberation. If you’re not involved yet, it’s so easy to start today. The most radical action I’d taken before May was citing Karl Marx in my homework. Although I’m still new and still have so much to learn, one thing I do know is that our community is full of people who care about each other and want to try to make the world a better place.
They are ready to welcome others and share their knowledge. It’s as easy as picking out one event this month to go to. If you are a student, we have been doing Food not Bombs pop up lunches in the University Centre food court every Tuesday – a perfect chance to chat. Your contribution matters as part of a greater process of building community unity. I think the most important thing I’ve learned through this experience is the value of those community networks and connections. The people united will never be defeated.
LESSON 5: Every little bit counts
As some people have pointed out (looking at you HSS Dean’s Office), MUN divesting their paltry $7 million will not bring back any of the people who have been killed. Despite those helpful words of encouragement, what we are doing does make a difference.
More people than ever before are aware of the injustices occurring, and taking actions to try to stop it. Slowly, the tide of public opinion seems to be turning. Canada has begun voting in favour of Palestinian human rights at the UN. Universities, colleges, townships and other organizations are beginning to make commitments to divest. Student and Faculty Unions, including those here at MUN such as MUNFA, TAUMUN, MUNSU, and GSU have passed motions and published statements in favour of divestment. Locally, the St. John’s Pride Board has committed to supporting the BDS list.
I cried in public at their AGM when I realized divesting really was as easy as passing a motion and forming a committee. Companies on the BDS list are taking sales hits, and some have already divested due to the sustained pressure. Every small choice contributes to the global movement against Israel’s crimes.
Let’s revisit Lesson #2. The leadership of MUN (and just about every institution like it) are cowards. If they are going to take a useful, ethical stance, it will be because they are forced to do so through public pressure. I think this holds true across the board. When Glenn Barnes violated the Board of Regents Code of Conduct, it was reported to the University Auditor and the Minister of Education, but no action was taken (revisit Lesson # 1). However, when the media and public picked it up, the university launched an investigation that led to his eventual resignation.
Now I have to be moralistic and insufferable for a second. Sustained economic, social, and political pressure is necessary for meaningful change. That means you too should take stock of how you can contribute. It can be going to rallies, or workshops or fundraisers (check out @palestine_action_yyt for events). It could mean joining local Palestine solidarity organizations. It could mean skipping Chapters and Starbucks in favour of local options.
Send a letter to your MP. Email Neil Bose (president@mun.ca) and the Board of Regents (tinas@mun.ca) to let them know you think it’s shameful for our institution of higher education to be invested in weapons. Start asking where your pension money is invested and demanding your workplaces and unions divest. Since May, we’ve achieved a lot, but there is still so much work to be done. Lend your voice to the fight against genocide today.
Got an opinion? Submit an Opinion Piece or a Letter to the Editor to the Muse.
The Memorial Sea-Hawks won the Men’s AUS Curling Championships at the Mayflower Curling Club in Halifax, Nova Scotia, this past weekend. It was the first time since 2017 that MUN had won the AUS Curling Championship, and the first time since 2023 that a men’s team from Memorial participated.
The Sea-Hawks went 4-1 in the round robin, their only loss was to six-time defending champions Dalhousie Tigers in Draw 2. Nonetheless, the Sea-Hawks still managed to finish first in the round robin standings and get a bye straight to the championship game, where they faced off against the University of New Brunswick Reds, who were looking for their first win since the tournaments inauguration in 2015.
Memorial Skip Simon Perry won AUS Male Athlete of the Week. (Eduardo Ibarra)
The final between MUN and UNB was a close thriller, with MUN pulling out on top 6-5. The Sea-Hawks got off to an early 2-0 lead, before the Reds rallied to score in three straight ends, going up 5-2 after five ends and putting the Sea-Hawks in a hole. The Sea-Hawks answered back and scored in three straight ends, and rallied to win the 2025 AUS Championship.
The Sea-Hawks have now earned the opportunity to participate at the 2025 USports Championships held in Lethbridge, Alberta, from February 24th-28th, where they will compete against the top university teams from around the country.
