Monday, September 25, 2006

As Summer turns to Autumn

Here in Squamish, the first leaves are beginning to turn golden and the days are a bit shorter, with a cool dampness in the morning air – sure signs that autumn is on its way. After so many years as a university president, what I miss most of all right now is the incredible energy of students pouring onto the campus with the beginning of the new fall term.

Here at Quest University Canada, our first group of students will only arrive just before September 2007. Although there is still much to be done in preparation for opening, I know that the heart of the University will only come truly alive when the pulse of student life reverberates throughout our campus. In the meantime, the incredible spirit of the staff keeps our offices alive with laughter and lively discussion and a shared sense of anticipation. Everyone is planning and doing something – there are projects underway everywhere. It’s truly incredible!

Since I’m thinking of it, what will you miss most of all as this summer turns to autumn? What keeps you excited about the future? And what projects do you have underway?

Friday, September 15, 2006

Airport Security, Technology, and the Advancement of Freedoms

Not long ago Air Canada sent me an e-mail advising of increased security measures at all airports, longer delays in checking in and clearing security, and the banning from carrying on board, liquids or gels in containers of any size. As a frequent air traveler, I groaned at the thought of the added time and inconvenience.

By chance, not long after, I happened to be talking on the phone to a Canadian friend of Lebanese Arabic background. When I heard the quiet sadness and frustration in his voice, I suddenly realized how minor my concern with inconvenience was when compared to the effect these kinds of measures are having on people throughout many other segments of our world community.

I wonder how long such measures can be sustained and whether there might be other alternatives -- some less intrusive means to protect people traveling by air. For example, I have been a participant for some years now in a special program which allows me to return to Canada and quickly pass through Canadian entry procedures using iris scanning identification technology.

Protecting us from criminal activity and invasion of privacy are valid concerns. It is equally clear that we must move towards integrating technology into advancing our freedoms, not just putting in place more controls. Learning to balance freedoms and responsibilities, to recognize opportunities and risks, to make difficult choices wisely – these are some of the things I hope our students will discover during their time on this mountain campus. I am convinced that working together, we can find better solutions grounded in our shared commitment as humans, not only to live, but to live well.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

One Year and Counting...

For most families and kids, this past weekend’s Labour Day signals the end of summer and the beginning of the new school year. For me, it’s a time of special significance as a year from now we will be welcoming our inaugural class of students to Quest University Canada. A long time vision will finally be a reality.

For this last week of summer, my wife Alice and I stayed in Fergus, Ontario where Alice grew up and where she still has family. A small creek runs along the back of our property and while some parts of this small town have changed over the years, the gurgling of the creek remains a constant and comforting feature of our life here. It always links us back to this little plot of land which has been a part of our family for many years.

I can’t help but compare it to the Mamquam River which borders our campus in the Garibaldi Highlands of Squamish. Building a bridge to our campus across the canyon which embraces its tributary, Mashiter Creek, was the first great symbolic task of creating the University. I expect that like my regular visits to the little creek behind our old house in Central Canada, the students of Quest will come back to the Mamquam to reconnect with their memories of learning, growing and changing.

Over time, the stream becomes both science and art - a subject of research and a matter of the heart. One year from now Quest students will be engaged in a learning experience which we are designing with this powerful metaphor in mind.