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about students at Memorial
An information column provided by the Student Development Office of Student Affairs and services

Marilyn Moore
Anglican/United Campus Chaplain, Student Development

"The time has come," the walrus said, "to speak of many things ...," (Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland). Not the least of these things is the help a strong faith can give to students who are struggling with preparations for exams — some of which will make a difference to whether a student will graduate this year — and getting papers finished and handed in on time. Do not get me wrong, faith cannot replace diligent study, conscientious work and class attendance. Neither is faith a Band-Aid that will get students through exams for which they have not studied!

The topics of religion and spirituality are often neglected, sometimes consciously omitted, or even taboo in the realms of higher education. This does not mean that these topics are seen as unimportant, but with multi-faith considerations and denominational differences it is difficult for faculty and staff to know what to say when it comes to questions of faith. Members of the chaplaincy can provide guidance in these areas, and are open to individual and group discussions.

Participation in faith groups can help students deal with personal and religious issues, as well as lifestyle choices and personal and moral issues. In order to enhance and build on the presence of Campus Ministry at Memorial University, the following need to be considered:

• The needs of a multi-dimensional
 university body that includes ethnic
 minorities, multi-faith practitioners,
 returning students, commuters, students
 older than average, single parent families,
 faculty, staff and administration.

• The need for a strong faith that unites
 social and personal concerns, that
 addresses the need for quiet and
 communal prayer, and involvement
 in social concerns.

• Questions about values, faith, technology,
 and professional ethics need to be
 addressed. The university needs to be
 challenged: it needs to educate for social
 justice and social responsibility as well as
 the job market.

The breakdown of parochialism needs to be encouraged, in part, by opening dialogue across cultural, racial and religious lines. There needs to be support for cross-campus involvement and for participation in regional and national student movements that can lead to an exploration of relationships among individuals locally and internationally.

Support for faith and religious issues is available at Memorial. Students can be referred to any of the chaplains in Campus Ministry, which is located in Room T-3036 in the Thomson Student Centre. For further information, please call 737-4376 (Anglican/United), 737-4374 (Pentecostal), 737-8589 (Roman Catholic), and 737-4375 (Salvation Army). Although the chaplains are affiliated with different Christian denominations, we are there for students of any faith or none. Our Web site www.ucs.mun.ca/~campmin/ provides links to each of us. We offer a friendly ear, a place to discuss a variety of topics, and a place to meet with friends or to meet new friends.

Editor's note: Tom Brophy, Student Affairs, was the author of the previous article in this series titled ‘What are the benefits of getting involved?' which appeared in the Vol. 13, No. 1 issue of
The Communicator.
 

Needed: a few good party organizers

Monty Green, manager of Employer and Employee Relations, is looking for a few good party organizers. Monty believes that the university's 50th anniversary should be celebrated by employees and that a campus party can only complement the long list of other activities planned for this special year.

"I was thinking of a big outdoor party on campus in late summer, sometime between Aug. 15 and Sept. 8, Monty told The Communicator. "Most people will be back from summer vacation at that time. Entertainment and some light snacks was what I had in mind. It would be chance for all of us to get together and recognize that 50 years is quite an accomplishment. We would charge
a low ticket price and all profits would go to the Opportunity Fund."
Of course, the event can't go ahead without some help. If you are interested in volunteering please call Monty at 737-7405 or via e-mail at mgreen@morgan.ucs.mun.ca by May 1, 1999. Details of the event, if the volunteers materialize, will be forthcoming.