October 2020: Monthly update from the President
One of my favourite things about being a university president is getting to meet our passionate and energetic students. Even with classes being delivered remotely, there are students on campus and I’ve been so happy to meet some of them.
Two student athletes dropped by my office a couple of weeks ago and gave me a varsity sweatshirt (go Sea-Hawks!). It was so great to see them. Hopefully in the not-too-distant future, I’ll be courtside taking in a basketball or volleyball game.
What I’m hearing from students is that, while these are difficult times, they are persevering. As I’ve said before, Memorial students are incredibly resilient and our faculty and staff are committed to creating opportunities and programs to help them succeed.
Over the summer, amazing supports were put in place to help first-year students transition to university life.
For example, through the Kickstart initiative, a selection of first-year courses were offered as an introduction to Memorial and remote learning.
MUN 101 was an orientation and transition program to help first-year students adjust to university life, learn the ropes, become part of the community and get set for success.
Hundreds of students took advantage of these programs. The feedback we received was quite positive. Students must be thinking positively because enrolment is at an all-time high at Memorial.
News came this month from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada that Memorial is a designated learning institution and can welcome new international students in the coming months. This is good news for international students who had planned to come to Memorial but for whom remote learning was not possible.
The safe reopening of some facilities is a positive milestone as we adjust to life in a pandemic. Study spaces are available on campus so that students can get a change of scenery and have physically distanced discussions or meetings.
The Aquarena pool has reopened to the delight of students, and faculty and staff, as well. The pool in the Physical Education building is also open, and students can take advantage of fitness classes and the indoor track at the Field House.
With the warm weather we’ve had this fall, many people are visiting our beautiful Botanical Garden. You might want to check out their Haunted Howl this weekend – a great experience for kids and parents alike.
Yesterday, we held our annual Career and Graduate School Fair. Hundreds of students attended and more than 60 employers participated.
We also celebrated 900 fall graduates with Hats Off!, a festive and fun virtual event for the Class of 2020.
While no one knows what the future holds, I’m confident that Memorial’s graduates are well prepared to face the challenges of our world with integrity, ingenuity and grit.
As an institution, Memorial is also preparing for the future through a new strategic planning process. Memorial is the province’s university, so we want to hear your opinion.
What would you like to see in our university in the years to come? How do we continue to contribute to a vibrant future? What’s preventing us from being the best university we can be?
Now more than ever, these questions are so important. Please help guide our decisions for the future. Email strategicplanning@mun.ca and tell us: If you could change one thing about Memorial, what would it be?
No matter what changes, one thing about Memorial will always remain constant. It is a place where students have the supports they need to unlock their potential and positively impact society.
If you’d like to meet some of the students who are about to dedicate their passion and education to our communities, check out these Class of 2020 fall graduate profiles in the Gazette.
Prepare to be inspired.