I had a bit of a rocky start to my time at STU. Most people have a “gap year,” or a few, before they start university. I decided to have mine after my second year. I had no idea what I was doing.  I had a strong start in sociology, but enjoyed journalism through the classes I took with Phillip Lee and Mark Tunney.  Despite this, in my first years at STU, I was too nervous to write for the Aquinian. These seemed like professional and serious people, an entire world away from me. When I returned to school with strong encouragement from my family and co-workers at Guardian Ross Drug, things did seem a lot clearer—journalism and writing. When I started volunteering for the AQ, I still hadn’t figured out my beat. I volunteered for every section, allowing me to interview a diverse set of interesting people and experience new situations I never thought I would. From covering art show openings to championship games, I learned to have confidence in myself.  I applied to be a staff writer last year. When Fernanda called me while I was at work and offered me the sports editor position, I was shocked. After I said “what, wow” and a few moments of silence, Fernanda spoke up and said, “So, do you accept?”  Saying yes was one of the biggest moments in my writing life. Despite taking on the role, I still felt underqualified and nervous. What if I couldn’t produce for the section I was in charge of, let alone lead it?  Thankfully, Fernanda and Emilia are two of the best leaders a writer could ask for. With their guidance, I learned how to sniff out good stories that people would find interesting. They taught me how to pitch, write tightly and communicate my ideas clearly. From early Sunday morning layout to story meetings, they made you feel heard. I hope to emulate them as we head into the new academic year. To my fellow editors and writers from this year, thank you. Reading your work has helped me out so much as well. Being in a sports bubble, your writing has shown me how to keep up with the changing world around me.  I hope that my tenure produces a workplace with a welcoming environment and connections with the STU community.  I want to thank my mother as well for always being in my corner and supporting me, even when it was difficult at times.  See all of you in September! Liam Carleton Editor-in-Chief 2026-2027

I’ve never been the best at saying goodbye. I could write 2,000 words and still fall short of capturing my time as editor-in-chief of The Aquinian. In my opinion, no word in the dictionary could do justice to what this year’s AQ team accomplished. And that’s not an exaggeration, it’s a fact. Camaraderie. Joy. Passion. If someone asked me to sum up my time at The Aquinian in three words, those would be it.  As my chapter in Fredericton, New Brunswick, comes to an end, I am both humbled and honoured to have learned from The Aquinian and the experience it gave me, both inside and outside the newsroom.  I first came to Canada as an 18-year-old girl, still unsure of my place in the world, but with an insatiable hunger to swallow it whole. I left everything I knew behind, and I was ready to start my life, even if that meant building it from scratch. Four years later, I can say with certainty that I wouldn’t change a single thing: the journey that brought me here, the people I met, the work we did, and the moments we shared. Every step I’ve taken since my first year has been a leap of faith. I still remember the one who gave me the courage to pursue journalism. In this letter, I want to acknowledge the first person who believed in my writing before I did: Ms. Jane Longley, my English and literature professor in high school. Without her teaching and guidance, I would not be the journalist that I am today. I am eternally thankful.  Leading The Aquinian has been one of the most challenging projects I’ve ever taken on, and if given the chance, I would do it all over again without hesitation. I still remember calling my mom and dad to tell them I was the next editor-in-chief, and the nerves that came right after. “Get up, you son of a bitch, 'cause Mickey loves you,” my dad said over the phone, referring to the movie Rocky. I’d be lying if I said that line wasn’t in the back of my mind throughout this year.  Coming into this year, The Aquinian and its team were my anchor, my rock, and the light at the end of the tunnel. Every editor taught me different aspects of life, whether it was hockey scores, Middle Eastern politics, student concerns, or nostalgia. Each staff writer showed me the importance of discipline and the power of having a unique voice. The presence that we had on campus and beyond, without being a print newspaper, is something I am deeply proud of. Seeing everyone invested in amplifying student voices has been one of the most rewarding experiences during my time in university.  I want to thank Emilia, my managing editor, for being one of the hardest-working people I have ever worked with. Thank you for literally personifying calmness in the middle of a storm. This year, you helped me in ways you will never know, and for that, I can only say thank you from the bottom of my heart.  To my successor, Liam, believe in your team and their potential. You can find stories in the most remote places. With an open mind and determination, the sky is the limit. Don't be afraid to take on new ideas, videos, and columns. This is now your publication, savour every moment of it.  To our readers, thank you for following The Aquinian this year. It's been one hell of a year, but the journey doesn’t end there. It’s because of you that we chase stories, no matter the time, day or place. You are the backbone of our publication.  Independent journalism still prevails, and transparency, accuracy, and integrity will continue to guide everything we do. To my chosen family in Fredericton, thank you for listening to me talk about The Aquinian for hours on end and for understanding my unpredictable schedule. Thank you to Lucia and Furzi, who have been there every step of the way, and now we’re ending this chapter together.  To my family and friends in Nicaragua, thank you for following my work and supporting me, even from thousands of miles away. Thank you for reminding me why I do what I do. Most importantly, I dedicate this year of hard work to my mom, my dad, and my brother. Te mando un abrazo fuerte hasta el cielo papi. Lo hicimos juntos <3 This was Fernanda Sánchez for STU Journalism.  Peace out,  Fernanda Sánchez Editor-in-Chief 2025-26

Stories: I have heard and repeated that word countless times throughout my life. The simplest definition that comes to mind is a narrative with a beginning, a middle and an   end.   But there is so much more to them.   When I was younger, I thought I loved books. I could read more than five in a week and still be thirsty for more. I could be up all night and feel like I had lived millions of lives in a few hours. The magic was in believing that I could experience anything, even if my body never left my room.    My dad often reminds me that those books are the one thing that brought me where I am today, and he is spot on. The hunger for adventure, the spark to master a challenge, and the desire to travel and see beauty in totally different experiences began under the light of my bedside lamp.   Stories, fictional or non-fictional, are what keep the world alive. A good story grounds you; it ignites feelings that you may have forgotten existed. It fuels your heart with excitement or tears it apart with sorrow and anger. A good story becomes part of you and makes you want to act on a specific topic.   I came to St. Thomas University knowing that I wanted to be a creative writer. I wanted to offer people the same thing books had given me all my life, and not for one second did I consider practicing journalism.   I realized little by little, as I wrote for The Aquinian, that journalism is one of the purest ways to get people’s stories out there, to voice their concerns, joys and dreams. Whether as a staff writer or Managing Editor, I learned to pour my heart into every article I wrote and edited for The Aquinian.   While I am not a journalism major, my time at The AQ will remain as one of the most valuable chapters my love for stories has ever given me.   Through the peaks and valleys of this role, my eyes have been opened to new possibilities in the world of writing, and I am beyond grateful for that.   In a world that seems to be collapsing at times, journalists have a unique power. They take their passion for storytelling to voice different perspectives across paper and multimedia.   All the wonderful stories we published wouldn’t be able to exist without our amazing editorial team.   I want to thank Fernanda, one of the most dedicated women I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with. To our long meetings and the little moments of joy and stress, altogether, that allowed us to build a team and put together unforgettable issues. I will remember our time at the AQ with pride and love.   I am also thrilled to see what’s next for this newspaper. I trust the new Editor-in-Chief, Liam Carleton and the new team to continue the legacy of the Aquinian. Your strengths and different personalities will be of utmost importance for your success.   Finally, I want to acknowledge the effort and commitment of our editors, Polina, Suzanne, Malachi, Liam, and Furzi; our staff writers, Brianna and Jennifer; and our volunteer writers, who have adapted to the fast-paced, demanding environment of The Aquinian. Cheers to you, because you are the ones who make all the difference.   Without further ado, keep on writing!   Emilia Alvear Managing Editor 2025-26

Tommie Charlee Connors holds up the design for her CCAA Women's Basketball Player of the Year ring. (Submitted: Charlee Connors) A member of the St. Thomas University (STU) women’s basketball team has been named the top player in the country for the first time. Fourth-year post Charlee Connors was awarded the 2026 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Basketball Player of the Year.  “It’s definitely very surreal,” said Connors. “There’s obviously so many incredible and talented athletes across the entire country. So to be named the player of the year was just absolutely incredible. It's kind of something that I find hard to wrap my head around.” She said that she was surrounded by her teammates when her name was announced. They were all cheering her on as she walked onto the stage to receive the award. “They were screaming— I've never felt so loved by a group of people before in my life,” she said. “They just were all so happy for me and coming down from the stage I was immediately greeted by all 15 of them giving me a big hug and just being so excited for me.” Connors averaged 14.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game this season. She also had the league-best 81.9 free-throw percentage.  Due to a shoulder injury, Connors missed multiple games this season as well. “I'm a pretty physical player, so I don't really know if there's many times I'm not feeling some sort of pain cycle,” she said. “Whether it’s like a twisted ankle or my shoulder, I've had multiple severe concussions and whiplash and so those things build up for sure.” The Tommies had a near-perfect year. They only lost one game during the regular season, before going on to dominate the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association Championship. Connors believes her success this season came from the chemistry between her and her teammates. The majority of the group have been playing together for the past two seasons, having only lost one member from last year. “They're the ones who are pushing me every day at practice,” she said. “They're the ones who at our team workouts, they're adding weight. If I don't think I can lift heavier, they're the ones who tell me I can. They're just so supportive in every aspect, both in basketball and school.” Connors celebrates with her teammates after it was announced she had won the award. (Submitted: Charlee Connors) Along with her performance on the court, the award reflects the player’s commitment to academics. Connors has a 4.2 GPA, along with being on the Dean’s List multiple times. She and her teammates study together constantly and help each other if someone is struggling in class. Her coach, Fred Connors, agrees that the award is something she couldn’t have accomplished without her teammates.  “It’s something you can’t win alone,” he said. “As a group, they helped her through challenges this season. It’s really hard to wrap my head around where we have so many outstanding players in this program.” Leaving STU this year, Connors believes that she would be nothing without the athletic staff that supports her as well. “Having the moment, just seeing my teammates running out to the floor, everyone hugging, like I was able to run up … my entire family was in the crowd,” she said. “It's probably going to stick out in my memory.”

The Grad House is known to students, professors and loved ones in the Fredericton community. (Credit: Jennifer William) Before it was a bar, it was a home. Before it was a home, it belonged to a poet. 676 Windsor Street has been many things: a writer’s residence, a research centre and Windsor Castle. Today, most people just call it the “Grad House.” But whatever name you give it, the feeling inside stays the same, as if you’ve stumbled into somewhere you’re allowed to just be . Alden Nowlan lived here first. He was a New Brunswick poet and writer-in-residence at the University of New Brunswick from 1968 to 1983.  Matte Robinson, chair of STU’s English department, has been coming here since he was a graduate student himself, back when the space formally opened in 2003 and entry required signing in non-grad-student friends at the door. “I used to joke that this place used to belong to Alden Nowlan, who had very famous literary soirees here,” Robinson said, glancing around the room. “Now that it’s a bar, there’s a lot less drinking going on.” When Nowlan passed away, his wife, Claudine Orser, made the house available to graduate students, a deliberate extension of what it had always been: a place for conversation, camaraderie and ideas.  The renovations that converted it into the Graduate Student Association’s home and bar were completed in October 2003. According to Krista Harris, executive director of the Grad House, the spirit never really changed. Harris has worked at the Grad House for fifteen years, starting behind the bar at the Alden Nowlan House before working her way up. She knows this place just the way anyone would remember their childhood home.  “I feel enriched by the people I get to interact with every day,” she said. “Even if it’s just making eye contact or asking someone how they're doing, all the way up to major problem solving.” The crowd here doesn’t sort neatly. There are grad students, undergrads, STU and UNB professors and poets.  Kerstyn Dobbs, a biology PhD student, has bartended at the Grad House for four years. She watches the room shift across a single day, morning students bent over laptops, coffee cups going cold and then by late afternoon, something looser. Professors filter in around 4:30, the energy unwinding. “If you’re going to the library, you’re going to study,” Dobbs said. “You’re not getting to know each other in that setting. But here, I know a lot of people meet people … they become friends. That's not something you necessarily get anywhere else.” As an Earth sciences researcher, Robinson agrees. Over shared coffee and drinks at a wooden table, unexpected friendships have sprouted. A common ground between English and Geology. “This is one of the few places on campus where you can expect to go in and have an intellectual discussion about just about everything,” said Robinson. “It’s one of those spaces you really need to have on a campus.” According to Harris, spaces like this are shrinking across campuses and across the country. After the pandemic shuttered the Grad House for months, reopening felt different. The instinct to gather had to be relearned. They started serving coffee as a practical decision, but also as an invitation. “If you build it, they will come,” Harris said, quoting her brother’s favourite movie. “We thought: if we get really good coffee here, we’ll have a really good community here.” The coffee is roasted by Ron Whitney, a longtime Fredericton resident who sources beans from cooperatives around the world. However, what the Grad House offers, really, is permission. Permission to sit without an agenda. To talk to a stranger. To be a grad student studying asphalt and end up at the same table as an English professor. “You learn something every day from somebody you meet,” said Harris, “because somebody’s studying something different all the time.” Orientation is her favourite time of year. She said she loves watching people arrive fresh off days of travel, not yet knowing a soul and find their way to a table. Suddenly, an afternoon that doesn’t feel quite so lonely. When asked what would be lost if the Grad House closed tomorrow, Dobbs didn’t hesitate. “The community,” she said. “It would be very devastating to everyone who frequents here every day.” For Robinson, it’s about the campus spaces that exist outside of structured department meetings and lecture halls. Places where the agenda is just people and not a community. “Campuses are supposed to be, more than anything else, places where scholars can sit and talk,” he said. “Outside of a strictly business space.” Outside the window, Windsor Street carries on. Inside, someone is working, another person is laughing and the rest are meeting people they didn’t know an hour ago. The best-kept secret on campus is hiding in plain sight.

Maybe all we need is to put our goggles on, roll down the window and believe. (Credit: Malachi Lefurgey) We live in a world that has no magic. No unicorns, sorcerers, giants, talking animals (except that one bird) and no yellow brick road with a wizard who grants us wishes.   We live in a world with taxes, parking tickets, exams, assignments, road rage, prisons and having seven pairs of the same colour of jeans in our closet.   But, if we truly look for it, behind the grey clouds, stinky sulfur, four essays and weekly garbage days, we can see and pick out the beautiful moments that can create a life full of wonder.   Growing up, we’re always on the hunt for more. When you're a kid, you want to be a teenager, teenager to adult, then adult to retired senior.  The simple idea that if we were older, wiser and just a little more confident, all would have worked out.   I couldn't help but wonder, does it ever stop? The wanting, the constant attempts at leveling up, deciding what we want, family, marriage, apartment or house?   As young adults, we think back to how our parents used to live their lives. It seems our parents were a lot more accomplished than we are. But were they happier?  Buying a house, having children right after high school, renovations by hand, doing it all. But is there that feeling of euphoric joy in your soul while painting a kitchen cabinet?  Do we just lose the feeling of “living” when we get older? Or is painting a kitchen cabinet truly that fulfilling?  “I’m just a young little hoe,” said Anna-Leah Simon, whose mother had her at 20.    As Gen Z, we are no longer chained to the idea of tradition. Willing to break the rules to feel free and have the magic be in the cusp of our hands.   And if that freedom comes in being a “little hoe,” I'm already there with her.   But once in a while, our rooms get messy, the garbage piles high, dust collects on our nightstands, the food in our mini fridge is mouldy and our anti-anxiety medication is somehow gone.   Nevertheless, just like Raye sings in her newest song “Click Clack Symphony (feat. Hans Zimmer),” “Though this season of her life had been cold, lonely and tough ... she had learned a beautiful lesson ... that maybe everything was going to be alright.”   Maybe Raye is right in reminding us that there is no “riding shining armoured knight.” It is  our  job, in a magicless world, to go out and find the magic that creates that euphoric feeling.   Maybe the magic is in the unwarranted long drives for gas station milkshakes and then coming home to make the bed with the person you love, while he goes to check on his pizza pockets and Ribs by Lorde plays in the background.   Or it's your mom buying a new “Welcome” mat, or a new chair that “swivels, rocks and reclines.” Maybe the magic is just seeing her reaction when she's showing it all to you on FaceTime.   The magic can truly be anywhere; all you really have to do is look for it.

The St. Thomas University International Students' Association (STUISA) hosted their annual Multicultural Fair on Saturday, March 21, at the Kinsella Auditorium in Margaret Norrie McCain Hall. (Credit: Ana Laura Román) The St. Thomas University International Students Association (STUISA) held its annual multicultural fair on March 21. The event celebrated the diversity of culture in the student body through its talent and fashion show, food fest and a newly-added prom night. Jon Kenneth, the Asian ambassador of STUISA, promoted admission and recruited volunteers to make the food fest dishes. He also pitched in his own spring rolls and chocolate rice porridge. This was his first multicultural fair. “I love big events, I’m a social person and I just like meeting new people at the same time … a week ago, they had us record [Instagram] reels for the promotions and it was really fun,” he said. Due to preceding ticket sales, the team was uncertain of what the final attendance turnout would be, resulting in a pleasant surprise when the event took place. “What I enjoyed was cooking and serving and seeing lots of faces,” he said. “I’m glad many people came, many of us weren’t expecting that.” Aleena Naveed, a second-year student at STU, cooked two Pakistani dishes for the fair, one being a chicken sheekh kebab and the other being rasmalai tres leches cake, a South Asian and Latin American fusion.  Like Kenneth, this was Naveed’s first multicultural fair at STU. “I wanted to represent our continent. I knew we didn't have a lot of people from here, so I wanted to be one.” Sochane Campbell, a fourth-year student from Jamaica, attended the fair to represent her culture in the fashion show. Previously serving as the Caribbean ambassador, she has made a point to never miss a year. “I've always reminisced on my first year at STU and the multicultural fair, that's the first place where I felt a sense of belonging,” she said. "I felt like I have a community and a place where we all can, [for] one night, bring our cultures together,” she said. Princess Obot, vice-president of STUISA, first attended the STU multicultural fair in her first year back in 2022.  In her second year, she volunteered, working up to the position of African ambassador and pitching in for last year’s fair. She still fondly remembers her first experience. “I didn't really know that many people … the vice president at the time made me feel so welcome … going to the multicultural fair just seemed like such a different experience from what I'd seen over the couple months that I'd been at STU,” she said. “I saw my culture being represented.” The fair was first discussed during STUISA’s first meeting in September, with concrete planning beginning in March.  Obot worked alongside Mishael Robinson, president of STUISA, to delegate tasks and help volunteers if needed.  She was also responsible for the planning of the prom night in partnership with UNB’s international student association, marking the first year the event had taken place. Obot said she got the idea from the annual winter formal held by the St. Thomas University Students’ Union. “We wanted to do something that is the same tune of the winter formal, but more for international students and also taking [into consideration] the fact that a lot of international students didn't do prom … for me, where I come from, prom isn't really a big thing. We just saw it on Western TV.” While the turnout was lower due to the novelty of the event, Obot hopes for it to return in the future. Last-minute volunteer cancellations created challenges for Obot and Robinson in organizing the event, with the two working together to find solutions. “We think a little bit alike and Mishael is really smart, so whenever there's an issue, she's very quick … I feel like that's something that a team needs.” Despite the challenges, Obot enjoyed being involved in the planning. “STUISA tries its best to do little events here and there to accommodate different cultures,” she said. ”But I feel like the multicultural fair specifically is something that actually brings all those different cultures together.”

Course registration is officially open and different programs at STU don't offer enough options to students. (Credit: STU communications) As students log in to STU's self-service to register for the coming year, many find themselves adding courses to their schedules that don’t interest them. Course registration for the 2026-27 academic year opened to students on March 17, giving them the chance to review and choose courses for the upcoming year. Ambar Vasquez, a second-year student double-majoring in digital media and creative arts and communications and public policy, said the problem is a lack of courses. Vasquez, a full-time student who works part-time, is concerned about how her schedule will look for the upcoming academic year. “This year, while looking at course registration, I noticed they cut three of the communications classes I wanted to take. I have been planning my courses since I started at STU.” She said the cuts leave her with only three courses for her second semester and she cannot take more because either they are no longer offered or are scheduled too late, which would prevent her from working her part-time job in the evenings. “I’m struggling to fill up my schedule and also complete my major requirements, because not enough credits or hours are offered. I don’t think there are enough professors to teach during the day,” said Vasquez. Jamie Gillies, chair of the journalism and communications and public policy department at STU, said he is well aware of the challenges students encounter. “We’ve been unable to do any hiring because the university continues to have a hiring freeze,” said Gillies. Despite this, Gillies said there have been no cuts to the actual number of communications classes. Gillies plans to expand the digital media program, adding that the program is still considered an “interdisciplinary major” and not a “full major.” “I really believe in it and I think the students are getting some great classes from the part-time faculty,” he said. “It’s just the reality of wanting those courses taught by professionals. If we had people who could teach it during the day, we would.”  Gillies said the limitations on what courses STU can offer are “frustrating,” but he is not willing to offer a course “with somebody who’s not qualified.” He said he’s happy to help any student with concerns about completing their interdisciplinary major requirements and invites them to contact him directly.  “I apologize to those students who do have to work and it makes it really difficult to try to complete that degree.” Students say the fine arts program with a concentration in music lacks professors. (Credit: Isabella Pacheco) Landen Cornier, a second-year student pursuing a fine arts degree concentrated in music, has also had trouble fulfilling his major requirements because of a lack of professors in the program. “I think it is trying to be more than it has the capacity to be sometimes. Realistically, we have about three instructors,” he said, adding the program is “understaffed.” Cornier said there is almost no way to obtain a fine arts degree focused solely on music. “I would prefer to have enough courses to take my entire major or honours,” he said. While reviewing next year’s class proposals, Cornier noticed two courses were added to the fine arts program. However, the structure remains the same as every other year. “It’s always those two tonal classes, intro to music theory and music practice. So if you are looking for something else, there’s really not a whole lot of opportunities and variety.”

New Brunswick Finance Minister René Legacy presented the provincial budget on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ron Ward) New Brunswick’s record deficit is prompting changes to post-secondary education as the province freezes funding to universities, colleges and directs institutions to find internal savings that won’t be passed on to students. The 2026-27 provincial budget forecasts a $1.3 billion deficit, mainly due to increased health care and social services spending. The government is freezing operating grants to post-secondary institutions at $307.8 million, which amounts to a funding reduction after accounting for inflation. Post-secondary Education Minister Jean-Claude D’Amours said universities and colleges need to take more responsibility for managing costs by reviewing their programs. "Everyone needs to look at themselves in the mirror and this is exactly what I asked the colleges and universities to do," said D’Amours. He said the review should include identifying programs with low enrolment and evaluating whether they meet provincial workforce needs. "When you have two, three, four, five students in a program, we need to realize at some point ... is it really what we need?" he said. D’Amours said that decisions about potential cuts should come from the institutions themselves, not the province. "It’s not for me to decide, it’s for them to do the evaluation and ongoing verification," he said. The funding freeze comes as overall provincial spending on post-secondary education rises, but not in ways that will benefit university operating budgets.  The Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour will spend about $779.6 million in 2026-27, with roughly $554.9 million relating to post-secondary education programs. That funding includes student financial assistance and administrative costs, but not increases to institutional grants. About $58.9 million is earmarked for student financial assistance and more than $36 million for post-secondary relations. While those figures represent continued investment, they do not mean increased core funding for universities and colleges. With inflation projected at about two per cent, institutions are expected to absorb rising costs with no extra support. D’Amours said the government’s goal is to ensure financial pressures do not fall on students. "We are making sure that the burden is not going on the students of this province," he said. "It’s not because we are facing challenges that automatically the burden needs to go to the students." Even without direct cuts, the funding freeze is expected to create pressure at the institutional level. Universities and colleges facing higher operating costs may need to reduce programs, limit hiring or cut services to balance budgets. In his article, " How Program Closure Decisions Get Made ," Alex Usher, president of Higher Education Strategy Associates, argues that program cuts are rarely based solely on enrolment. “Low enrolment usually means low revenue,” Usher writes, “but costs enter the picture too.” He explains that determining whether a program is financially viable is complex. This involves how institutions calculate costs such as salaries, facilities and overhead, as well as how they assign revenue from tuition and government funding.  Programs with small enrolment may still survive if they attract students from outside the major, international students, or if they contribute to an institution’s reputation. Usher also notes that programs can be protected if they offer prestige or strong community value, while those with less influence or support may be more vulnerable. Humanities programs, in particular, often face greater risk due to declining enrolment and lower perceived economic return. Across Canada, similar financial pressures are already leading to cuts. Universities have reported layoffs, program suspensions and hiring freezes as they deal with rising costs and uncertain funding, with some institutions describing the situation as financially unsustainable.  At the same time, enrolment in some arts and humanities fields has declined significantly over the past decades, raising concerns about their long-term stability. For students at St. Thomas University, the impact may not be immediate but could become more visible over time. Programs with small enrolments, often in the arts and humanities, may face greater scrutiny as institutions align their offerings with labour-market demand. The funding freeze reflects broader fiscal pressures as the province prioritizes spending on health care.  While there are no direct cuts to university funding, the combination of a large deficit and stagnant operating grants signals a period of financial constraint for post-secondary institutions. How universities respond will determine how students feel those pressures, whether through changes to programs, services or campus resources.

Aleena Naveed is a second-year Muslim student at St. Thomas University from Pakistan. (Suzanne Shah/AQ) At STU, the month of Ramadan was made into a powerful social activity, uniting the campus community across cultures and creeds. STU’s second annual Iftar Party, organized by a small group of Muslim students, provided a platform for participants to come together, learn, and connect. According to Aleena Naveed, one of the organizers of the event, the idea has always been to make it inclusive.  The event consisted of an Iftar dinner and interactive activities like Kahoot, creating a casual and welcoming environment.  Food was arranged in collaboration with the university’s catering and the student community. The event caused a lasting impression on the students. “I guess people really enjoyed [the event], because I heard the comments and I was observing their faces, they were really engaged in all the  Kahoot activities and they liked all the dinner and Iftar,” said Naveed. For Muslim international students, it wasn’t just a dinner experience but a substitute for home.  For Saima Akter, who volunteered at the dinner, it was a responsibility as well as an opportunity. Being a Muslim and in her first year of university away from home during Ramadan, Saima found comfort in the support provided by people.  “People are very respectful here … they are quite supportive,” said Akter. “Ramadan is a month of [perseverance] … we can learn [about] time management best in this month.” This event also influenced future students who will join the STU community. Sama Ouf, an incoming STU student who attended the Iftar, said that the event was “community-driven,” which emphasized its unifying nature, especially during a time when unity seems to be so important.  “The gathering really showcased the importance of community … Ramadan is about gathering … breaking your fast with your friends and family and your peers as well,” said Ouf.  She also emphasized the environment of inclusion that STU provides, stating that the university creates “beautiful events” that bring people together. Iftar Party 2026 brought together the muslim student community from both STU and UNB campuses to celebrate Ramadan. (Credit: Ahmed Mamoon Faheem)  Nauman Farooqi, president and vice-chancellor of St. Thomas University, said that the event was a good example of empathy, as well as shared values.  “Bringing the community together, showing compassion, showing love, showing respect,” he said.  Farooqi highlighted that students from different backgrounds came not only to observe, but to participate and learn from one another. Moving forward,  students plan to increase the number of students involved in the celebration and make sure that the tradition is sustained even after students graduate. “We are trying to improve year by year and we aim to do much better and much bigger than that, but we did what we could,” said Naveed. When asked to define the experience in a single word, Naveed said: “amazing.”  For many students at STU, the Iftar celebration was a reminder that support is not just about programs and services. It’s about creating a community for each other.

Both the men's and women's Tommies basketball teams celebrate their ACAA championship wins. (Credit: STU Athletics) On March 8, the St. Thomas University (STU) Tommies women’s and men’s basketball teams each claimed an Atlantic Collegiate Athletics Association (ACAA) championship at the A. Garnet Brown Memorial Gymnasium.  The women defeated the Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) Mystics 63-46, the men following with a 91-73 win over the same opponent hours later. The women went into the final with a 17-1 regular season record. They set the tone early, leading 21-18 at the half before pulling away with a suffocating second half.  Claudia Steeves led the way with 13 points on seven-of-16 shooting. Paige Leblanc added 14. By the fourth quarter, it wasn’t close, STU outscored MSVU 14-8 to seal it. Steeves said the season was built on something deeper than basketball. “Our team is built on a lot of grit and we all just love each other and want to make each other better,” she said. “That’s what we did all season.” Fourth year forward Charlee Connors, also named CCAA Player of the Year, described the group as unlike any she’d been part of. “It’s not every day you get a team that loves each other and is willing to work as hard as our group is,” she said. “We can push each other to limits we didn’t know were possible and then go down to the locker room and just be good friends.” For Connors, winning it in her final season meant everything. Wearing the Tommies jersey, she said, came with a sense of responsibility that went beyond the court. “St. Thomas doesn’t only encourage us to be good athletes, they encourage us to work hard in the classroom, to get involved in our community and support those who support us,” she said. “That builds strong athletes, but it also builds strong people.” The men picked up where the women left off.  STU went into the final at 14-2 and came out sharper from the opening tip, jumping to an 18-15 first quarter lead and never trailing. Vincent Lyttleton led all scorers with 20 points. River Lanz added 15 off the bench. Caleb Scholten chipped in 13 as the Tommies shot 44 per cent from the field and held MSVU to a 91-73 final. For wing Ceejay Hanson, the formula was simple. “We had one really bad practice. I think guys woke up and realized that if we wanted to win a championship, we have to play together,” he said. Forward Jeven Eddy called it a season of peaks and valleys that ended exactly where the team expected. “Ups and downs but overall, this group did what I expected from the start,” he said.  His message heading out was just as straightforward. “We did what we said we were going to do in the preseason. Rest up and do it all again next year.” Fourth year forward Quinn Devries, pointed to one moment that captured everything. “That last quarter, seeing us go up by 20, just knowing it was over and then all running to the middle. That was an awesome moment.”

April Pyne's abstraction showcase. (Credit: Malachi Lefurgey) The 10-year-old Gallery on Queen is one of those galleries that aren't afraid to represent the unrepresented, showcasing art that says and means something.   “That is my mandate,” said Nadia Khoury, owner of the gallery. On March 28, Khoury presented to the city of Fredericton “In Conversation,” a celebration of Black art.   “Black artists and history are not just February, we need to celebrate ... but the rest of the year it’s not talked about, that is why we decided to do it in March,” said Khoury.   The gallery showcased two artists with vastly different backgrounds. Rhonda Simmons, a Black female artist based in Fredericton, explores the realm of women, race and power.   “My work tends to be women-centric, in the spirit of ‘woman is goddess’,” said Simmons. “My work is very Black focused … I feel guided and directed to do the work, I’m not doing it for any outside validation or engagement.”   Being born and raised in the Maritimes, Simmons feels her provocative and politically stated art isn't as accepted, appreciated or understood as it is outside the Maritimes.   However, her art at the Gallery on Queen is “safe.” “I always like to use my art to say what I need to,” she said.  Simmons has not been shy about the ways of travel. She has travelled from the U.S. to Mexico and researched how Spain uses their altars and shrines in their personal and spiritual lives.   Her art, presented in the gallery, explores goddesses and spiritual beings. One of her works was inspired by her years living in Mexico, on Our Lady of Guadalupe, a revered saint representing Mexican identity and faith.   “The altars [in Mexico] are passed down from woman to woman within a family.”   Simmons grew up in an Anglican influence but does not fall under the religious umbrella.   “I'm spiritual, big difference. I find it, for me, more open-ended. There’s more room for me to explore and grow and [be] not in a closed religious [box].”  April Pyne, originally from New York, but now based in Riverview, N.B., is inspired by constructed spaces and how organics are constructed together.   “We live in these very ordered worlds, but in the midst of that you can find unexpected beauty and change in those spaces,” said Pyne.   Pyne uses geometric shapes, representing her childhood and growing up in cities.  As a child, Pyne had extremely poor eyesight, “no one knew how badly I needed glasses” and all she saw were geometric shapes and colors.   “A lot of the world was just shapes to me and the way I saw the world for so long just stayed with me [in my art],” she said.   Exploring an abstract medium of art, Pyne tries to make sense of the world around her, bringing order in such chaos and confinement.   “To me, art is both freeing and confining, a choice is a confining thing but can also be a freeing thing.”  Growing up, Pyne loved seeing abstract art at local museums but found that most, if not all, the artists were white men. Now Pyne is feeling seen in the Gallery on Queen.  “As being a black female artist in abstraction where those voices aren't really magnified in that way ... I couldn't quite see myself there but it's lovely now to know there's a place for my art in that world.”   “I never wanted to be pigeonholed as just a black artist or just a female artist but seen as my art first.”   Gallery on Queen strives to continue to promote and showcase black art throughout the year, honouring the first gallery on the East Coast to celebrate Black History month seven years ago.