Julie McCann's Camayak portfolio

Food insecurity during the pandemic puts students' health at risk

The Food Cupboard operates as an emergency food source for students in financial distress, offering a three-day supply of food once per month as needed — Photo credit: Jessica McCabe

The Algonquin College Food Cupboard saw an 84 per cent increase in the number of students being helped in January 2021 compared to January 2020, according to Jessica McCabe, Students’ Association Food Cupboard coordinator. Specifically, 105 individuals sought support, up from 57 the previous January. “In the September 2019 to August 2020 time frame, 620 students were helped compared to...

Brian Fraser's friends and colleagues remember his passion for helping

Brian Fraser, left, would visit Algonquin as a working grad to guest lecture for classes in the radio broadcasting program. — Photo credit: Provided by Dan Mellon

Brian Fraser, a former technical producer for The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll on 580 CFRA and an Algonquin College radio broadcasting graduate, died Thursday, Feb. 25 after a two-year battle with leukemia. He was 26. Fraser used his struggle with leukemia to raise awareness about the importance of donating blood, using his following on social media to spread the...

AC Dog Squad still helping out one student at a time through social media

Ricky, a husky, boosted students' morale when he visited them on campus before the pandemic.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the AC Dog Squad was formed as a mental health resource for students and staff in need of a furry pick-me-up while participating in events or simply roaming the college halls. Although the squad is not active on campus just now and are working from home, they have kept their fans up to date on their...

By Cedfrei Sarmiento (Julie as adviser) + 3 others for Algonquin Journalism - 4 min read

Balancing classes and a baking business is hard work - with sweet results

Laura Palmer is no stranger to the business atmosphere as she begins her own. — Photo credit: Photo supplied by Robin Lewis-Palmer

While many small business owners have had a rough year dealing with COVID-19, Laura Palmer's new baking business in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. tells a different story. Palmer, a student in Algonquin's food and nutrition management program, started her own baking business called Laur's Kitchen in June, where she bakes her pastries and desserts at home and sells them through...

Celebrating Black History Month in the past, present and future

Deena Hassan, one of the BIPOC club leaders, started the club to create a safe space for Black, Indigenous and people of colour students.

For Deena Hassan and Grace Grant, Black History Month may be a time to acknowledge Black culture and the important figures that have contributed to our society, but it’s also important to recognize that these conversations should be happening year-round. “Quite honestly, that should be standard beyond the month of February,” said Grant. This past year, a more concerted effort...

Mood Check: What do students have to say about their winter activities this year?

Although winters in Ottawa are snowy and cold, for some the season is also a time to enjoy outdoor activities with loved ones and friends. However, COVID-19 restrictions have made this year's winter activities a little different with maintaining social distance and following certain rules. On Monday, Feb. 8 and Friday, Feb. 19, Algonquin Times reporters asked students on campus...

Campaign kicks off for board of governors election in March

Building C at Algonquin College, the headquarters of the Board of Governors. — Photo credit: Andrea Sternberg

The Algonquin community is set to choose student and academic staff representatives for the college's board of governors. Students and Algonquin academic staff will be able to vote online through ACSIS starting March 10. The campaign for the student and academic 2021 board of governors started on Feb. 16. The Algonquin College board is made up of 16 members, four...

Club life continues during the pandemic

Deena Hassan, the Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour Student Society club leader has created a safe place for members to speak about their stories.

Although Algonquin clubs are facing challenges with COVID-19, through patience and Zoom they've still been able to provide a place for student communities to enjoy each other. But new situations come with new problems. “It's been difficult to connect to the Algonquin college community to get students to join the club because everything is now online," Deena Hassan, club leader...

Skills and passion can be used to earn a livelihood

Kyle Cooke attends college while working at his home studio as his side hustle. — Photo credit: Mohit Kumar

When Kyle Cooke, an Algonquin music industry arts student, first started mixing beats in his basement at the age of 17 living in Gatineau, he realized he didn't just want it to be his passion: he wanted it to be his profession. “Love for music was always around," said Cooke, now 26. "But when I heard "Make It Rain," that’s...

Students' Association hosts its first online chess tournament

Chess, usually a game played over the board, was played online for the SA's event. The position on the board pictured here is the queen's gambit declined. — Photo credit: Julien Bernier

The popularity of the Netflix show The Queen's Gambit lead Allison Barnes, the events programmer for the Students' Association, to host the SA's first-ever online chess tournament on Feb.11, 2021. The four-hour afternoon tournament was hosted on the popular chess website Chess.com. The format of the tournament was arena-style, where players could come and go as they pleased. The tournament...