As a new year starts, we look back at the most popular articles of 2015 with our readers at George Brown College. From campus news to crime, Drake at frosh, student athletes and activists and, of course, a major snowstorm when the college didn’t close.
1. Man wanted for armed robbery near St. James campus and sexual assualt downtown arrested in Montreal
Students and staff at George Brown College were vigilant after the news that Toronto police were searching for a man wanted in connection to an armed robbery at a restaurant near St. James campus and a separate sexual assault with a gun downtown. George Brown College’s public safety and security department issued a rare safety alert warning students after we published the story and it was widely shared on social media. We updated it a number of times as it developed and it ended with the arrest of Brennan Wayne Guigue in Montreal.
2. Men’s volleyball captain Dart Jackman makes an impact
Huskies men’s volleyball captain D’Artaniel Jackman takes his role of being a mentor for the younger players seriously. And don’t tell him that volleyball is a less demanding sport than basketball.
3. Drake surprise guest at frosh concert
Hip-hop superstar Drake gave George Brown College and Ryerson University students a start to the school year that won’t be forgotten anytime soon when he made a much-rumored surprise performance at the Parade and Concert 2015.
4. SA board replaces executive director in secret meeting
The Student Association of George Brown College, which publishes The Dialog, had a shake up of senior management as the executive director Antoinette Davis was replaced amid claims that she had launched unspecified legal action against the student union.
5. Sexually assaulted: students share their stories
Two students of George Brown College tell their stories of sexual assault and harassment on campus and how the college responded when it was reported.
6. Job hunting mobile app rewards users with cash
Two George Brown College students, Jerry Gou and David He, developed a mobile app that works to connect students with employers and has a unique incentive: a cash bonus.
7. George Brown to introduce $500 deposit fee
George Brown College introduced a $500 deposit fee for students this year after the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities changed their policies on deferral fees. Student leaders at George Brown were critical saying it created a barrier to education for people who couldn’t afford to front the cash.
8. Student Spotlight: Jessica Crawford breaks the stigma of mental health
Jessica Crawford is a powerhouse advocate for students with mental health issues. She was the president of the George Brown Canadian Nurse’s Student Association, formed a campus chapter of Jack.org and helped co-ordinate the first Mental Health Awareness Week at George Brown’s Waterfront campus last year.
9. George Brown College remains open after heavy snowfall
It seems like every year there’s a big snowstorm that shuts down most of the city, but George Brown College remains open as dozens of individual classes are cancelled. As you might have guessed, some students got a bit frustrated and vented on social media about it.
10. Mature students should get Ontario tuition grant
The Ontario government’s most significant financial aid program is a 30 per cent rebate on tuition, but mature students don’t qualify for it. Tina Todaro, a mature student and The Dialog‘s assistant editor in 2014-15, takes apart why that policy should change.
