It’s hard to believe that it’s already that time of the month again where I sit down to update you all on what’s been happening at The Baron!
At the beginning of the month, I heard someone describe November as a version of Thursday but as a whole month and I kind of chuckled and thought it was a good point, but November proved me wrong on that front!
I feel like I blinked and the month was over. Part of that had to do with The Baron pausing publication over reading week. I hope you all had a productive, yet relaxing reading week. I went home to visit some of my friends and family and returned with a fresh mindset to attack my school work head on and continue to publish great content at the newspaper.
Campus life
Following Remembrance Day, we decorated the office to start getting into the holiday spirit. Located on the second floor of the student centre, our office has proven to be a great spot to meet other students and get to know more about activities and issues in student life. I hope our holiday decorations can bring some joy in the midst of the chaos of the last few weeks of the semester.
I, alongside Baron staff attended the UNBSRC’s Holiday Ball this month. It was great to see students dressed up and enjoying the night in the beautifully decorated Market Square.
The SRC also announced that a pool and foosball table were purchased for the Whitebone Pizzeria. The Baron office is located on the same floor as the pizzeria and it’s been great to see so many students around. Furthermore, it’s been amazing to see campus life slowly return to UNB Saint John following the last two years under lockdown measures.
I encourage you all to take advantage of things like the activities in the student centre such as the foosball and pool tables and arcade in the student centre, or go on a walk on the campus trails during this crazy season of deadlines and exams. It is important to prioritise your mental well-being in order to succeed in your courses!
The Canadian University Press
I also attended the Canadian University Press (CUP)’s Annual Equity Workshop this week. The workshop taught me a lot about racialised minorities in journalism and how to better lift their voices in our press. There was great discussion on how to address systematic inequality in media.
It was also announced this month that CUP’s annual conference will be returning in person in February 2023 and will be taking place at McMasters University in Hamilton, Ontario. The Baron’s Office Manager, Tamara Holmes and I will be attending it in the New Year. We’re very much looking forward to receiving more education on the world of university presses and meeting our fellow peers from other university presses.
Content this month
This month was busy in politics with Kris Austin being appointed to a committee on the Official Languages Act, a missile landing in Poland amidst the Russo-Ukrainian war, and discussions on healthcare in New Brunswick.
We continued our weekly poetry series by the amazing Melanie Clark and were fortunate enough to receive a poetry submission by a COM X intern as well.
The Baron also covered as mentioned above, the Holiday Ball that the SRC hosted and sat down with SRC VP External Ridhima Dixit. We also highlighted research being conducted by UNB sociology professor Dr. Eric Weissman.
The Baron is hiring!
We are currently hiring for the position of Copy Editor. For more information check out the picture below!
We will also be looking to hire on a few more Staff Writers in the New Year, so keep your eyes on our social media accounts for more info in the near future!
Wrapping up 2022
The Baron will pause publication on the last day of classes which is December 8, to the first day of classes in the Winter 2023 term which lands on Monday, January 9. That being said, this will be my last Letter from the Editor of 2022. I’ve really enjoyed writing these and catching everyone up monthly on what The Baron has been up to.
Furthermore, I’ve very much enjoyed this position as Editor-in-Chief. I want to thank the Board of Directors again for choosing me for this job and for the support from The Baron’s staff. Thank you to all of those who have read these monthly pieces and for your continual support of the newspaper.
I want to emphasise the importance of students connecting with The Baron when they want us to highlight things involving students! I am always available to chat via email at editor@thebaron.ca or pop your head in the office whenever the door is open!
We are your newspaper after all and are here to serve students!
I wish you all the best as we head into exam season and a relaxing time with your family and friends this holiday season!
-Emily Wheaton