MacIsaac Hall on BurMAC, "We Need a New Identity".
- Rebecca Charnock
- Mar 15, 2017
- 4 min read
On the evening of Tuesday March 14th, I unknowingly walked into a meeting that I had no plan on attending, but I'm definitely glad I did as it inspired me to write this article. The meeting was put in place to discuss the cancellation of a 38 year-old tradition, the 2017 BurMac Hockey Game. Approximately 80 to 100 of MacIsaac Hall's current residents were in attendance, all coming together in hopes to reinstate the game they have been looking forward to all year. Current Director of Student Services Bob Hale and Students Union President, Taylor Chase were also in attendance hoping to give the students an explanation as to why they aren't given the chance to re create a photo similar to the one shown below.
It is no secret to the St.FX community that MacIsaac Hall has a reputation for being the notorious 'MacIsaac Assholes'; that certain individuals cause damage and are continuously loud and rowdy... Not that this is a secret, but this behaviour is commonly seen in most university students. ALL houses on campus at one time or another are filled with loud and rowdy individuals, (whether they live there or not). However, the one thing that sets MacIsaac Hall apart from other residence's, is that come September, those frosh aren't faced with an already predetermined, negative reputation of their new home. MacIsaac Hall residents, unfortunately, are.
MacIsaac Hall's negative reputation calls on all of the toxic and idiotic behaviour that can arise out of any student, given enough liquid courage. It is nearly impossible for both residents and RA's to catch all inappropriate behaviour taken place inside MacIsaac Hall, and even harder when there are numerous students entering the premises who,
1. Don't live in Mac and are 'piggy backing' onto Mac Residents entering their home.
AND
2. Students entering MacIsaac hall simply because it's known as the 'place to party'.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the university expects them to be perfect residents right away. The residents are aware that the university understands they are merely human beings who sometimes make mistakes. But still, MacIsaac Hall residents aren't given a fair chance. Like all residence's, MacIsaac Hall takes part in partying and other various social activities, but they are undoubtedly labeled negatively and any positive social activities these residents take initiative in, are never focused on. For instance,
Did you know that this year, MacIsaac Hall participated in Movember and together, raised $700 dollars?
That they bonded as a house at the Carroll off with neighbouring house Burke? The Houses won together against all other residence's after singing, "All I want for Christmas is BurMac"!
Did you know that these Mac Dawgs sat down one afternoon with fellow Antigonish community members at a local nursing home and played countless games of BINGO against what they say were fierce competitors.
Did you know that these raiders of the night spent an evening participating in St. FX's Trick or Eat! ? Residents of MacIsaac Hall raised over $1000 and brought home over 30 pounds of food to donate to local community organizations.
WELL, if you don't know, now you knowwww.
So the questions I am left with as a MAC Alumni are as follows: Why aren't we being seen for the loving family we really are? Why is it that when MacIsaac Hall is mentioned in the media or through word of mouth, only things that are seen as negative are focused on? Why weren't this years frosh given a chance to make MacIsaac great again? And while these are all valid questions, it's what we as representatives of MacIsaac Hall choose to do moving forward that truly makes a difference.
Whether it has been voiced by family members, tour guides or the hundreds of MacIsaac Hall Alumni, prospective St.FX students are told that MacIsaac Hall is one of the most social residence's on campus. And no doubt about it, that's the truth. Unfortunately upon arrival of Welcome Week, these brand new MacIsaac Hall Residents are succumbed to scrutiny and judgement by those who only choose to see them as 'MacIsaac Assholes", and all for what? Moving in to their new HOME? None of these students wanted to be affiliated with that kind of house. These students specifically put MacIsaac Hall in their top 3 residence choices for numerous reasons.
Because their parents who also lived in MacIsaac Hall, told their kids stories upon stories about how living in Mac, were some of their favourite memories throughout their time at university.
Because they were filled with excitement to be able to proudly yell the famous "WHALEBONE' chant at the annual BurMAC Hockey Game.
Because almost all of MacIsaac Hall Alumni will tell you that they gained another family and for some, this was the first place they could truly call home.
That is why these students chose to live in MacIsaac Hall.
These students deserve a chance. A chance to turn BurMac into what was once a family reunion. These students deserve a chance at giving themselves a new and positive reputation. We need a new identity. So here's the proposal:
Both MacIsaac and Burke residence's have organized a bottle drive this Saturday, March 18th from 12-1pm. I propose that all supporters, whether you live in these residences currently, you are Alumni, or you just want to support the cause; show up this Saturday in front of MacIsaac Hall, DECKED OUT in all the BLUE & RED you own, to show everyone you are the respectable, prideful, MacIsaac Hall loving individuals we know you are!
And although there sadly will not be a BurMac game this year, here is a chance to give MacIsaac Hall a new identity. Here is your chance to be the people who saved BurMac for years to come. Here's your chance to continue a 38 year-old tradition so you can tell your future kids about the best experiences of your life at St. Francis Xavier University. Here's your chance to make history for MacIsaac Hall.
See you Saturday.
All Photos Courtesy of MacIsaac Hall's Social Media
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