Student Life

Hey Pitches! Pitch List is Up!

Contribute to Volume 58 , Issue 2! Either in the form of writing an article, short story, a comic, or even a video essay, film and animation!

Innis Herald Masthead

Reserve your pitches by Midnight on Monday November 14 via Form for Pitch Pickup: https://forms.gle/tpY6vTvchhEGWqhK7 Submit your pieces by Midnight on Monday November 21

STUDENTS AND SERVICES (100-700 words

Student Life (Call for Photographic Pieces, Written Work, or Video Visions) 

  • Student Stories: Anecdotes and randomness 
  1. The Spirals of Finals: Do you feel burnout? Do you have study tips? How is your midterms season going or how are you handling exams — honestly?!
  2. Are Food Trucks Worth the Good Bucks: Around UTSG, you are bound to see a food truck operating from Sid Smith to Bahen. Thoughts on the money laund- oops!… I mean the infamous pasta truck? Thoughts on the immense pollution along St. George Street? Thoughts on one specific food truck or every single food truck?
  3. Reading Week and Winter Break: Team studying or partying ftw? Travel time or time to stay home? How do you unwind and why is a week of break or a couple of weeks of break essential for and important to students?
  4. The Mystery of Massey College: Have you ever tried walking into Massey College’s courtyard, only to get escorted out by the front desk receptionist? (I have). Are you bold enough to go exploring it? Tell us anything and everything you know about this small, exclusive grad-only college (did you know they dress in Harry Potter-esque robes for dinner?). What’s all the history and prestige behind it? You could also use the topic as a jumping-off point to explore how “tradition” (and a bit of pretentiousness) is firmly entrenched in UofT’s culture – is it important to preserve tradition at UofT, or is it simply a relic of a bygone era? Is it harmless fun, or are there negative effects?
  • CINSSU: Shoutout to ITH, updates about CINSSU, and the December or January FFF schedule
  • ICSS: Promotions and events 
  • Club Space: Posters and announcements
  • IRC: Residence life ads
  • The Innis-ider: We are searching for people to cover stellar happenings around Innis as well as the broader city. Contribute a short summary of what went down or contribute a long write-up of descriptions, opinions, and maybe even interviews. This edition calls on those who can cover any specific Innis events

i. consider: Innis Orientation Boat Party, Community Wellness Therapy Dogs, ICSS Maskerade

School Services (Call for Photographic Pieces, Written Work, or Video Visions)

  • Campus Opportunities – Accessibility Services registration, mental health support navigation, First Year Council, University of Toronto Students’ Union… Share some services
  • Exam Reminders – Petition of deferred exams, exam & assessment schedule, exam toolkit… Share some services

(TAKEN) Statement of Support: In Solidarity of Strikes — CUPE education workers are striking as the Education Minister is condemning Bill 28. In an unprecedented attack on democracy, Ford and Lecce are using the notwithstanding clause to force unionized education workers back to work… Share an urge for everyone not to cross the picket line

SERIOUS AND SOURCES(500-700 words)

Arts and Culture (Call for Photographic Pieces, Written Work, or Video Visions) 

  • Marvel’s Phase 4 — Multiverse Saga, Oscar Isaac, Wakanda Forever, and Everything in Between: The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), alternatively the Wong Cinematic Universe (WCU), has once again expanded. During early September, fans at Disney’s D23 Expo officially said goodbye to the Infinity Saga and learned about the Multiverse Saga — Phases 4-6. Phase Four in particular and its releases such as Loki and Spider-Man: No Way Home are done… but what’s next for the MCU? What’s current for the MCU? Is Marvel Phase 4 good or is it bad? Is Marvel dead or only getting started?

i. consider: the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever out November 11 whether it be in relation to the late Chadwick Boseman, the MCU timeline, box office results, beyond, or a combination of all 

  • I Indulge In…: We all have guilty pleasures, what’s yours? Beyond its pages, has a novel captivated your attention? Behind its sitcom laugh track, had a show impacted your emotions to a great extent? Because of its lyrics, have songs on an album felt as if they compiled a soundtrack to your life? From personal experience, an animated humanoid horse was the reason I started therapy (shoutout BoJack Horseman) and I can write essays about my connection to the series (red flag, I know)… What is your personal experience and what do you connect to?
  • Criticism, Compliments, and Conversations: The TV and theatre or movies and music fields are constantly changing and we want the details about the most special happenings within the scene! Whether it be about that one play you watched or those problematic Netflix releases, fill us in.

i. consider: exploitation off-screen for the sake of on-screen content (looking at the both of you Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and Blonde) 

  • Steve Lacy’s Tour: By now, you’ve probably seen videos [1] [2] [3] of Steve Lacy’s tour circulating around. Given that his song blew up on TikTok, many concertgoers seemed to only know the chorus of his song, “Bad Habit”. This annoyed people on the Internet, with some saying that fans who only knew one song sold out the shows, leaving more “dedicated” fans without tickets. Is going “TikTok-viral” more beneficial or detrimental to an artist? Does it give them a wider, but less dedicated fanbase? Give us your hot takes!
  • Let’s Talk about Whole Lotta Red*+!: December 25, 2020 was a day which will live in infamy (the day Playboi Carti released his third album, Whole Lotta Red). Initial opinions were divided, with some people hating it and some people proclaiming it as an instant classic. How does it hold up two years later? Is its wildly experimental sound outdated and jarring today, or has it pushed the boundaries of rap as a genre? This album has been heavily memed – do people take it less seriously as a result, or has its meme culture greatly contributed to the album’s success? Do you believe it’s a modern classic?

i. consider: flip the narrative and focus entirely on Taylor Swift as an artist rather than a focus on Jack Antonoff as a producer 

Sports (Call for Photographic Pieces, Written Work, or Video Visions)

  • Physical Activity is a Must – Do you know someone who sighs after one flight of stairs? Do you know someone who is an intense gym bro? Are you one or the other… possibly both? Let’s take a look at sports at U of T

i. consider: the Athletic Centre and its offers, recreational sports on campus, intramurals with the college, the MoveU program

  • FIFA World Cup 2022 — Qatar: The FIFA world cup is finally happening! Soccer fans worldwide are excited for this event, but more specifically Canadian soccer fans! It has been years (decades actually) since the Canadian team qualified for the FIFA world cup and fans across Canada are anticipating the games. However, the teams that Canada has been drawn up against are tough opponents and the chances of whether Canada will qualify for the semifinals is wavering more than ever. Let’s take a look at the past history and achievements of the Canadian soccer team. 
  • Raptors Rewind: 2022-23 is the 77th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA) as the regular season began on October 18, 2022. From Juancho Hernangomez to O.G. Anunoby or Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam, the Toronto Raptors Roster is quite a lineup — special shoutout to Scottie Barnes and of course coach Nick Nurse. What do the players have in store this season? What has the team accomplished thus far? Let’s take a look at the latest storylines, analysis, highlights, scores, and more.
  • Overestimating, yet Underachieving Maple Leafs: The Leafs won their last championship in the 1966–67 season and have now entered their 54-season drought between championships with the 2022–23 season. Congrats to the Leafs — they have had the longest drought in league history as they surpassed the previous record held by the New York Rangers. Let’s take a look at the NHL accomplishments, or lack thereof. 

Politics (Call for Photographic Pieces, Written Work, or Video Visions) 

i. consider: relation to recent news (tackling the topics of U of T ranked 2nd in the world in first-ever QS sustainability, the oil protest by climate activists who threw soup over work by Van Gogh, promises of COP27 as of November, and so on)

Science and Tech (Call for Photographic Pieces, Written Work, or Video Visions) 

  • It’s Not Rocket Science… or Is It?: Let us review the science field and take a peek at what scientists have been up to. Cover this story to examine notable scientific updates (and show off your knowledge). 

i. consider: the animal ecosystem and species endangerment, new NASA exploration, spread of illnesses

  • Life in the Digital Age: Let us review the technology field and take a peek at what the industry has been up to. Cover this story to examine notable technological updates (and show off your knowledge). 

i. consider: Elon Musk now in control of Twitter (to Tumblr we go) with new site revamp, artificial intelligence, toxicity of social media

CREATIVE

CREATIVE

Artwork (Call for Photographic Pieces, Written Work, or Video Visions)

  • Comic — Produce a panel and story-tell via a strip of illustrations 
  • Photography — Shoot and send your original pictures be it scenery, portraits, wildlife, or whatever else may catch your eye

i. consider: reach out and offer to capture an image of request by the Masthead for one of the E2 pieces

Literature (Call for Photographic Pieces, Written Work, or Video Visions)

  • Poetry 
  • Short story
  • (TAKEN) Personal essay
  • Satire 
  • Fiction

INTERACTIVE

Small, Simple, and Somewhat Stupid Submissions – The Herald wants to listen to what you have to say

  • Less than 50 Words – Describe what Innis’ new and improved expansion project should include and why the college should have such in its blueprint plans
  • Quote of the Month – Comedic college student quote(s) by students for students

Puzzles — Creations for the community to solve

  • Crossword
  • Wordsearch
  • Sudoku
  • Series of riddles and jokes

COLUMNS (NO MIN.-700 words)

  1. What’s Cookin’: Recipes  
    1. What’s Cookin’: Winter Edition: Winter is approaching and with the freezing weather, what better way to stay warm than cook up some recipes that will warm your heart, soul and body. With recipes from a variety of culture, not only can you stay warm, but you can also expand your flavour palette and try new food! Don’t worry, these recipes won’t be Gordon Ramsay level difficulty, in fact, they will be easy and simple enough for you to make at home! 
  2. Changemakers Corner
    1. From its founding in 1964 to its standing in 2022, Innis College is largely defined by its members — the powerfully influential and influentially powerful staff and students. Within Innis, there are countless individuals who have done, are doing, or plan to do incredible work both inside and outside of the U of T campus. This column strives to highlight and celebrate such work. Whether they are faculty, alumni, or students, conduct an interview and write a profile on someone who you believe belongs in this “hall of fame”. Contribute to the end of the first semester by lifting up our community!
  3. What’s Hot, What’s Not
    1. Is it in, is it out? Is it a hit, is it a miss? The effect of cancel culture and its consequences are real and live in the flesh. These side by side lists tell us a series of words about how we will look, act, and have fun tomorrow. Keep up! 
  4.  Letters to the Editor 
    1. Dear Reader,

This is your opportunity to write an open letter to me, the Editor of the Innis Herald. Pitch your latest big idea. Share a fun anecdote. Tell me about a book you just read or a new recipe you failed to follow. Write a love confession, or an angry rant. Send me a joke you found funny (or didn’t find funny). 

Roommate almost burn down the house? Tell me about it! Make an interesting observation on campus? Tell me about it! Have an incredible obsession about racoons and want a platform to express your love for the fuzzy friend-shaped fauna? TELL ME ABOUT IT! 

Shower us in praises or give us some not so constructive criticism. Tell us what else you want to see in the Herald, or maybe even what you definitely don’t want to see more of. Ask me a question (only if you don’t want a sincere response).

I am very bored. Please write to me. Please. I am very bored.

Love,

Your Absolutely AMAZING Editor

PS: Please deliver all written letters, signed and sealed, to room 108 at Innis College while Electronic Letters (aka emails) may be sent to exec.herald@gmail.com

  1. Hear with Herald 
    1. Wake up babe new playlist just dropped. This column connects the community through beats, lyrics, and songs. Themed playlists are a must and for this edition, such can include finals, snow, exams, holidays, etc. 
  2. Taste Test Time (TAKEN)
    1. If you crave a guilty pleasure and need a sign to give you the go ahead to order it, look no further. Do you enjoy a certain drink or a specific food? Are you willing to travel around to different franchises in order to taste along with test flavours as well as spots for such a certain drink or food? This column ranks a drink or food of your choice — judge the yumminess, aesthetic, price, all of them in combination… your call! 

ONLINE

Video Essay/Film/Animation Pitches: VIDEO SUBMISSION FORM *video submissions are encouraged, but a written piece will be accepted too and vice versa

  1. Campus’ Red Carpet: Within the past few weeks since school started, students (especially first years) have raised the standard of “university outfits”; no sweatpants nor sweatshirts here! In this pitch, we ask you to explore the fashion here at U of T through video interviews. What outfits have you noticed that you liked? Would you ever dare to wear such “Pinterest” inspired clothing? (Be sure to obtain consent if you include students in the video). 
  2. Fall Film: When I think of fall, I think of death and rebirth; coffee, pumpkin spices; sweaters; and a bunch of books as the rain pours outside. This interpretive pitch calls for you to create a short film which conveys the theme of fall. You may use these previously listed images, or create your own. 
  3. Bill C-11: Canadian Youtube?: In case you are unaware, Canada is currently in the process of passing Bill C-11 — a bill that seeks to expand the Canadian Government’s control and amplification of Canadian content from the radio and TV into what we watch and create on Youtube — a site that is arguably full of freedom as we know it. Canadian Youtubers such as  J.J McCullough  have voiced concerns about the issue. On one hand, do you think the government of Canada should dictate what is considered “Canadian Content” on platforms? On another hand, should Youtube remain as a free platform where Canadian youtubers grow their audiences based on merit? 
  4. Film Critic: This year has brought an interesting mixed bag of films. Here is your chance to compose a review on one film you viewed that was released this year and offer your opinions. Be critical or be complemental. 
  5. TedTalk Parody: We all know what a TedTalks is, whether it be an intellectual one, a comical one, or a heartfelt one. But for most TedTalks, they deal with serious topics ranging from Climate Change to Poverty or Cancer etc.We call on you to perform your own TedTalk, but one that lightens up the room a bit as it is a parody. Take a silly, but argumentative debate (ex: pineapple on pizza) and make a TedTalk about it! 
  6. The Tutorial: Create an educational tutorial or documentary style video about any topic you wish, whether it is a very specific niche, a unique talent, or simply an interesting statement you learned in your lecture! Share the knowledge (regardless of its usefulness if any). 
  7. Commuter Vlog: The commuter population tends to not be at the forefront of attention especially when it comes to the return to school. With this, we will consider the number of train/bus/streetcar rides or transfers we must overcome to get to our destination: campus. In this video pitch, take us along in a vlog showcasing a day in your life. 
  8. Cinema Studies Submissions: Hey upper year Cinema Students! This pitch is for you to show off your directing skills! If you worked on a short film as an assignment for your program, or expanded your own personal portfolio, and wish to publish them, feel free to submit! The only limit is your imagination (and a 1 hour cap). 

Nothing catches your eye? Pitch something original in the Google Form option. Happy Creating and Happy Recording!