Whatever I was anticipating when I applied to work as a co-op student at the Varsity, it was not this. I had hoped to find a newspaper that was a powerful voice, a paper that gave student’s lives direction. I found a paper that is looking for direction. If I had wanted to be party to poetic ass-kissing, I would have gone to the Toronto Sun. But my term here runs until April, so I guess I will have to bear it.
I will have to ignore the fact that the Varsity “Arts and Culture” section is sorrowfully incomplete. (Every fifth issue seems to analyze a cartoon
—The Family Guy, Bugs Bunny, The Simpsons. Surely on a university campus there must be more significant cultural events to examine.) I will forget that articles condemning corporatism and capitalism grace most issues, in spite of the fact that the paper is riddled with advertisements (for big businesses like the university, among others). No one is perfect. I will even overlook the staff—predominantly white males, clean-cut and preppy—who are here writing articles about the struggles students from middle and low-income families face. (And with what understanding, too!)
But it will be most difficult to ignore the timidity with which this paper tackles issues. The incredible docility of these few students who have the privilege to be heard above the din is truly amazing. It isn’t difficult to see that the Varsity is light on opinion of any kind, never mind that which may be controversial. In this paper, the usually hallowed editorial/opinion section is nearly non-existent, and the editor seems intent on avoiding the issues with which students at the university level should be most especially concerned.
The most glaring example is doubtless the tuition hike, which, despite its excellent coverage from January 7 to the present, has not been addressed by the opinion writers in any great detail or with any great passion. Why not? These people are students at one of the country’s largest campuses and played a huge role in national protests February 6. Sure, on February 11 an open letter to the president was printed, but it was pathetically sedate at best. I found myself terribly unconvinced.
In the way of opinions there was “Get the word out on tuition,” but even this danced around the issue, and ended with a disheartening plea for someone else to solve every student’s problem. Yes, I came to the Varsity expecting a rebellious journal which printed in the vivid colours of emotion and outrage. Not the dull black and white of journalistic responsibility and disassociation. I guess I have my work here cut out for me. Maybe these writers—who are, don’t get me wrong, talented, intelligent, and professional—just need a reminder, someone new to stir things up. I’ll give it a shot.
Jen Little is the Varsity’s latest high school intern. She is a grade twelve student at Birchmount Park and she will be in and around our offices until the middle of April. Reading and reviewing the paper was her first assignment. Living with the paper will be her greatest challenge.
