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<p>Even a year ago, I didn’t expect to be here. Managing editor wasn’t even on my radar. When Giuliana and Aaron convinced me to take on the position last spring, I couldn’t have known how much I’d learn and how many good memories I’d make. I’ll warn you ahead of time, this letter will be [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Goodbyes are always hard, especially when The Aquinian has been my life for the past four years. I wish I could express in thoughtful, profound words what a beautiful experience it has been and how lucky I am to be blessed with such a responsibility.  But I’m not good at writing with so much sentimental [&hellip;]</p>

<p>St. Thomas University released its latest budget report, revealing a forecasted operating budget deficit of $380,400 for 2023-2024. This report contains financial and operational context that will help the President’s Advisory Committee construct the budget for the next fiscal year.  The operating budget “key issues,” as described during the university’s budget town hall on March [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Content warning: The following article contains quotes with xenophobia. From criminal and civil investigations to the invasion of Gaza and questions about their age, Americans will once again choose between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, each with their own political and personal baggage. The latest Siena College poll shows Trump leading 48 to 44 per [&hellip;]</p>

<p>In anticipation of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, migrant organizations in six provinces staged demonstrations denouncing the treatment of immigrants in Canada as part of #MigrantSpring. In Fredericton, the demonstration took place at the Conserver House on March 17 and focused on the rights of migrant workers. Participating [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Albert Banerjee, a professor at St. Thomas University, recently led a study on Mind-Body Medicine (MBM) through William Cook’s medical practice. The data from the study showed improved personal and professional lives for those who underwent Cook’s eight-week program at the Iris Centre in Fredericton.  Cook describes MBM as the efforts one may make in [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The City of Fredericton proclaimed March 21 as its first Anti-Racism Day following their 2023 Anti-Racism Task Force (ARTFF) final report. Among the recommendations highlighted by the ARTFF, they pointed out the need for the city to recognize and promote the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and hire a new employee [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Haider Mehdi visited St. Thomas University on March 18 as the next speaker in the strategic planning series. Mehdi brought ideas about the relationship between the liberal arts and STEM fields. Mehdi continued to tackle ideas about STU’s image and how to reinvent the liberal arts. He thinks that the way people think at STU [&hellip;]</p>

<p>On March 19, the Trudeau government endorsed the NDP motion calling for the recognition of Palestinian statehood after considerable amendments.  While the original motion, introduced by NDP MP Heather McPherson, directly stated the recognition of Palestine, the Liberals changed it so that Canada was to &#8220;pursue the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault visited St. Thomas University on March 11 to announce that New Brunswick homeowners would receive $20 million in pollution pricing returns through the Future Electricity Fund.  “This funding will go a long way in helping homeowners in New Brunswick improve their homes with energy-efficient upgrades as they get off [of] [&hellip;]</p>

<p>If you have walked around St. Thomas University, you have probably seen posters that read “Bombing hospitals is a war crime,” “Ceasefire now” and &#8220;If these were white kids facing genocide no one would remain silent&#8221; with a Palestinian flag at the bottom.   Initially created independently by a group of students, the posters displayed around [&hellip;]</p>

<p>St. Thomas University hosted a facilitated discussion session, part of phase one of the university’s strategic planning process. The session was run by Academica Group, a higher education research and consultation organization. The key discussion was around the “liberal arts” as a description for STU and how there can be misconceptions. A mix of 40 [&hellip;]</p>

<p>On Feb. 26, candidates for the St. Thomas University Student Union president and vice president of education roles asked and answered questions on student advocacy. As part of the campaign trail, the debate took place in the Dawn Russell Lounge, the first in-person election event since COVID-19. Related: STUSU restarted election results, voter turnout increased [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The St. Thomas University Students’ Union (STUSU) announced its restarted general election results on March 2, officially electing Ellie Namit for president and Ana Lucía Pavón for vice president education, the only contested positions.  The election saw a turnout of 24.2 per cent an increase from the 21.8 per cent on Thursday’s invalid election. The [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Content Warning: This article contains mentions of queerphobia and violence against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Illuminated only by the lights of flameless candles, on the stairs of Fredericton&#8217;s City Hall rested the photo of Nex Benedict, a Texas-born child who has united an entire community under grief and frustration.  Benedict was only 16 years old when [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The Saint John Human Development Council released New Brunswick’s 2023 Child &amp; Family Poverty Report Card highlighting that the child poverty rate in Canada increased from 13.5 per cent in 2020 to 15.6 per cent in 2021.  Randy Hatfield, executive director of the Saint John Human Development Council, explained that they use a Low-Income Measure [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The John Howard Society of Fredericton hosts the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) fundraiser walk every Feb. 24 to raise money for charities and shelters to combat hurt, hunger and homelessness. The crowd took to downtown Fredericton on Saturday evening and wore bright yellow, white and blue toques that embellished the snowflake symbol of [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Students who enjoy socializing at The Cellar Pub on campus will need to pay more next school year for their favourite alcoholic beverages, said operations manager Patrick Hanson.  “We are still trying to recover from COVID and the position our government put us in, dealing with that, we are nowhere near a recovery,” said Hanson. “This [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Elections reopened due to “human error” On March 1, the St. Thomas University Students’ Union (STUSU) explained that it had to recommence the spring general election due to a “human error.” Article 5 Section 3 of its by-laws establish that “Online polls shall be open at minimum from 8 a.m. the first day of voting [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Update: In a previous version of this article, The Aquinian noted that STUSU posted the results on the voting website. The CRO is the person who approved the results to be posted on Simply Voting, the website through which STUSU conducts its elections, explained vice president administration Ahmik Burneo. The St. Thomas University Students’ Union [&hellip;]</p>