Today, I am delighted to welcome guest blogger William Murray, a faculty member in the Mount's Business & Tourism department. William, or also known as 'Bill' on campus, has a compelling message to share about the impact and importance of volunteerism and community. After all, today is Caritas Day at the Mount - a day we celebrate acts of kindness.
Ramona
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Another January is upon us and the Mount community celebrates another Caritas Day.
Established by the Sisters of Charity after the campus fire of 1951, Caritas Day is one day each year for the Mount to focus on giving back to our community, a community that gave so generously and selflessly to us in a time of need so many years ago.
‘Caritas’ - funny word. It’s Latin for charity, for acts of selfless kindness that come from a place of love.
Last year was my first experience with Caritas Day. I was told we were just going to do a little charity work in the morning; I was told incorrectly, lied to even.
There was nothing ‘just’ about the day. It was a Master’s class in doing important things for other human beings simply because we had the resources and other people were worthy of our efforts. I wrote about its powerful impact on me here.
Now I’ve only been living in Halifax for just under two years. Before coming to Halifax, I lived and worked in a town of just over 1,800 people. A ‘town’ by official designation, yet those of us who lived there just considered it our community. The people gave it life; you knew most everyone and yes, everyone knew you, whether you liked it or not. Neighbours helped out as needed, without being asked, without any sense of gain on the other side. Sharing and doing was just a way of life there.
Before we left in the summer of 2010, my wife and I received phone calls regularly from people in the community wishing us well and telling us of the impact we had made in our community with simple, often unnoticed acts of volunteerism. Some of these people we had not met face to face in nine years, but still they called and shared kind words because it mattered. Doing something mattered.
I think about that often when I drive into campus each morning, about my community and how it has both changed and remained the same.
The Mount itself is over three times the size of the town I use to live in. And yet we are very much a community brought together on the hill. Although we often are shy about honking our own horns, we are a community committed to giving back. Whether it's individual acts of volunteering by students, staff or faculty, fundraising for important charities or even larger commitments towards social enterprise and social justice, we are engaged.
We understand that the dictionary identifies ‘community’ as a noun, but that it is actually an active verb. Communities are not passive; they do things.
So ask yourself: What you are going to do to engage with other? What will you offer up, not because you have something to gain but rather because you have something to give? How are you investing in your community?
Perhaps you’ll help collect donated food from local homes this week. Perhaps you’ll have the pleasure of working side by side with the Sisters of Charity. Perhaps you’ll spend an hour carefully making sandwiches for someone in need of food that night, someone who won’t see your face when they receive that gift of food, but will most certainly feel your spirit.
I know that’s what I’ll be doing once again this Wednesday on Caritas Day - making sandwiches. And if I’m really lucky, maybe I’ll get to decorate some cookies too. I still remember my lessons from last year. The Sisters taught me that sprinkles, like smiles, are good for the spirit; both should be shared liberally.
William Murray
@williamcmurray
http://theeducationofaprof.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Proud to 'be part of something big.'
Anyone who has had the opportunity to spend time either at the Mount or with a member of our community knows there’s just something special about this place. For many, describing the Mount in a few words proves difficult, but listening to any one of our students, faculty members, staff or alumnae will give you a sense of what we’re all about.
Over the past number of months, we’ve been listening to members of the Mount community to get a true understanding of their experience here.
For many, ‘small’ is a word that comes to mind when describing the Mount. In many ways (campus size, class size, number of students), the word ‘small’ may fit, but people in the Mount community know that being small is not what makes us special – it’s what we can do because we are small that sets us apart.
This week, the Mount is launching a new campaign which tells the stories of students and faculty who are making the changes they want to see in the world. These stories are wonderful and real examples of the types of people you’ll find at our university. More importantly, these stories put into words exactly what the Mount offers - the opportunity to:
People who join the Mount community have aspirations to be part of something bigger than themselves. This new campaign contains so many stories and elements that I love. One of my favourites is of a young woman named Allison Sparling, who is also the granddaughter of past MSVU Art Gallery curator, Mary Sparling. At such a young age she has found her way to a balance between a love of ‘pretty things’ and activism. After reading her story, and others, I am honoured to be part of this community.
I’ve often shared with friends and colleagues that I believe the Mount is one of the region’s best kept secrets. But now I feel it’s time to step out and be bold. To members of the Mount community, I encourage you to share your stories with all who are interested. Join the conversation through Facebook and Twitter and know how important your story is to a growing collection of perspectives that showcase our wonderful university.
For our neighbours in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada, across the country and all over the world, visit our new campaign site to learn more about the big things happening at the Mount.
We’ve always known there’s something special about our university, but it’s not about lists, numbers or a collection of traits. It’s about our people and our stories, and we urge you to share your own. Be part of something big. Proudly, I am.
Ramona
Over the past number of months, we’ve been listening to members of the Mount community to get a true understanding of their experience here.
For many, ‘small’ is a word that comes to mind when describing the Mount. In many ways (campus size, class size, number of students), the word ‘small’ may fit, but people in the Mount community know that being small is not what makes us special – it’s what we can do because we are small that sets us apart.
This week, the Mount is launching a new campaign which tells the stories of students and faculty who are making the changes they want to see in the world. These stories are wonderful and real examples of the types of people you’ll find at our university. More importantly, these stories put into words exactly what the Mount offers - the opportunity to:
People who join the Mount community have aspirations to be part of something bigger than themselves. This new campaign contains so many stories and elements that I love. One of my favourites is of a young woman named Allison Sparling, who is also the granddaughter of past MSVU Art Gallery curator, Mary Sparling. At such a young age she has found her way to a balance between a love of ‘pretty things’ and activism. After reading her story, and others, I am honoured to be part of this community.
I’ve often shared with friends and colleagues that I believe the Mount is one of the region’s best kept secrets. But now I feel it’s time to step out and be bold. To members of the Mount community, I encourage you to share your stories with all who are interested. Join the conversation through Facebook and Twitter and know how important your story is to a growing collection of perspectives that showcase our wonderful university.
For our neighbours in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada, across the country and all over the world, visit our new campaign site to learn more about the big things happening at the Mount.
We’ve always known there’s something special about our university, but it’s not about lists, numbers or a collection of traits. It’s about our people and our stories, and we urge you to share your own. Be part of something big. Proudly, I am.
Ramona
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Addressing Funding for Nova Scotia Universities
Earlier today, Hon. Marilyn More, Minister, Labour and Advanced Education, announced the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), including the 2012-13 Operating Grant to Nova Scotia's universities. The universities have been working with representatives from the Province over the past six months to establish a new agreement and determine the funding (operating grant) for the coming year. One of the other areas that we discussed was how best universities can access funds that would allow for collaborative innovation initiatives and cost savings across our universities.
The Mount is also engaged in many collaborative partnerships with other universities for the benefit of our students. We do look forward to possible benefits to be gained as a result of the Innovation Fund, which could include pursuit of greater collaboration among universities and potential efficiency improvements. In addition, the Partnership for Excellence provides an opportunity to address critical issues such as the funding formula, tuition policy and capital funding.
Ramona Lumpkin, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor
Mount Saint Vincent University
The key elements of the announcement include:
- Three-year agreement between 2012 and 2015
- Annual tuition rate increases to be limited to 3%
- 3% reduction in funding to universities for 2012-13
- All university Presidents and Province to be part of a Partnership for Excellence, to support increased collaboration and communication on key issues facing universities and the Province
- $25 million will be available in 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 to support projects designed to reduce university operating costs
The Mount is also engaged in many collaborative partnerships with other universities for the benefit of our students. We do look forward to possible benefits to be gained as a result of the Innovation Fund, which could include pursuit of greater collaboration among universities and potential efficiency improvements. In addition, the Partnership for Excellence provides an opportunity to address critical issues such as the funding formula, tuition policy and capital funding.
Along with my Nova Scotia colleagues, I am disappointed with the Government’s decision to reduce funding to universities, as they did last year. The Mount, along with the other universities, is a significant contributor to the economic growth and cultural and social vibrancy of Nova Scotia, and these further cuts will undoubtedly have a negative effect on our ability to help our province remain attractive and competitive. We will continue to work with the Province and our sister universities to build on past successes, and I am confident that we will maintain the Mount’s significant contribution to higher education in Nova Scotia.
President and Vice-Chancellor
Mount Saint Vincent University
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