Alvernia University Students Learn What It Is like “To Be a Refugee”

For the second year, Alvernia University students and the school’s department of Campus Ministry facilitated an interactive event aimed at offering participants a glimpse of what refugees might experience. “To Be a Refugee” is a simulation in which participants receive an identity card that lists the name, country of origin and background of a typical refugee. The students assume this role for the experience and move around the quad to learn about common problems refugees face when emigrating. Student participants were told disease, inadequate shelter, lack of nutrition and insufficient education for school-age children often riddle refugee camps. To raise awareness about these experiences, the facilitators offered interactive activities. In one of these activities, participants were encouraged to lie down on a tarp the same size as the tents many refugee families might occupy while in resettlement camps. The tarp, 5 feet wide and 7 feet long, could barely fit three people and when told that families with multiple children will often have to inhabit a tent this same size for months at a time- many students were struck.

“To Be a Refugee” was developed by an Alvernia alumna, and hosted for the first time, last year. One difference in this year’s program was that it incorporated a prayer vigil for all those affected by the recent violence at a Pittsburgh synagogue. Those gathered prayed for all who face religious violence and discrimination. This impactful event proved successful again and prompted students to think critically about what they can do to support refugees in their struggles.

To read more about “To Be a Refugee” click here. Also, please visit the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ office of Migration and Refugee Services to access additional information about the issues surrounding migration and resettlement.

 

Global Solidarity Grant Deadline Extended- APPLY NOW!

Is your campus advancing Catholic mission through a globally focused project? Apply now for a 2018 Global Solidarity Grant!

Campus initiatives addressing societal issues such as, but not limited to issues surrounding migration, human trafficking, or global sustainability may be eligible to receive a 2018 Global Solidarity Grant.

Sponsored by the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and Catholic Relief Services, Global Solidarity Grants aim to support projects that are innovative and high-impact, that combine prayer, spiritual development, and the examination of values with educational objectives. ACCU member institutions working creatively to advance Catholic mission through global solidarity are encouraged to apply now and be considered for an award of up to $3,000.

The deadline to apply for a grant has been extended to Friday, November 9! Visit the ACCU website for more details about how your campus can receive a Global Solidarity Grant!

For questions, please contact njalandoni@accunet.org.

Avila University Hosts Peace Activist Reverend John Dear

Since the implementation of the sustainability committee at Avila University, significant strides have been made to educate the student body on the current state of the environment. The Buchanan Initiative for Peace and Nonviolence recently hosted Revered John Dear, a Catholic priests and multi-Nobel prize nominee. The lecture given by Reverend Dear is titled, “They Will Inherit the Earth,” which is based off his book They Will Inherit the Earth: Peace and Nonviolence in a Time of Climate Change.

Arica Maurer, coordinator for the Buchanon Initiative for Peace and Nonviolence, explained how “peacebuilding is not only about relationships between people but about humankind’s relationship with the earth. We have invited Reverend Dear to speak because we believe it is important for the Avila community to hear his message about the environmental aspect of peacebuilding as well as to learn from his example of nonviolent, civil disobedience in pursuit of justice and peace.”

For more details on this lecture, visit Avila news.

Briar Cliff University Supports Students Affected by Sexual Assault

During the month of April, Briar Cliff University showed their support for those affected by sexual assault by hosting a variety of events throughout the month. Since the reportings of high instances of sexual assault in the media, the University decided to take stand during Sexual Assault Awareness month. Studies have found that over 50% of female college students have experienced sexual harassment or assault at some point in their lives. Given this statistic it is important that universities show their support for their students.

Events throughout the month were sponsored by the Health and Counseling Center, C.H.O.I.C.E.S., and Catholic Daughters of America. A series of events were hosted including a free self-defense class. During the class, a jiu jitsu instructor, focused on situational awareness and safety techniques as well as moves on how to escape situations and feel confident in their abilities.

To read more about how Briar Cliff honored sexual assault month, visit Briar Cliff news.

Boston College Hosts Singing Competition to Raise Money for Local Children

Boston College is finding unique and exciting ways to raise money to benefit the music program at under-resourced school in area. The 14^th annual event, Sing it to the Heights Competition, which is Boston College’s “American Idol”-inspired contest, attracted a larger number of students, faculty, and staff. The event raised about $4,200 to benefit the music program at St. Columbkille Partnership School, a Catholic school in Brighton operated by St. Columbkille Parish, the Archdiocese of Boston and Boston College.

The judges of the contest were two Jesuit brothers at the university. William Gartside, St. Columbkille Head of School, said that “in addition to the funds raised, the event gives our students an opportunity to not only showcase their own musical talents, but also to see the passionate and talented BC students who bring joy to the community through their performances.”

To read more about this event, visit Boston College news.

Ursuline College Hosts Former CRS President and CEO Carolyn Woo

Ursuline College recently hosted Carolyn Woo, former CEO of Catholic Relief Services. This lecture given by Dr. Woo was the concluding lecture of the college’s Global Perspectives series. Ursuline’s Global Perspectives: Inspiring Tomorrow’s Women Leaders series “brings current female thought leaders to campus to inspire the next generation of women leaders. The series is an outgrowth of the College’s 2017-2020 strategic plan, which calls for a renewed emphasis on women’s leadership development.” Dr. Woo is the perfect person to end this series thanks to her expertise and experiences working in academia and international human rights. Dr. Woo was CRS president and CEO from 2011 until 2016, and she now serves as Distinguished President’s Fellow for Global Development at Purdue University.

Dr. Woo’s presentation is titled, “God is speaking. Are you listening?” and aims to cultivate activism. Sister Christine De Vinne, president of the College, expressed her gratitude and joy in welcoming Dr. Woo by stating, “In her leadership role at Catholic Relief services, Dr. Woo used her strong intellect and compassionate heart to bring hope to countless people.”

To read more about this event, visit Ursuline news.

Boston College Host Forum on Recycling and Waste Diversion

Boston College recently hosted a major forum on recycling that focused on waste diversion efforts at Massachusetts colleges and universities. The event featured panel presentations on food recovery initiatives in order to find best practices. 40 people, including college and universities administrators, state environmental officials and representatives of organizations that promote sustainability were all in attendance to protect the environment. Boston College Dining Services Director Beth Emery noted that in the near future “we are excited to share some of the best practices we learned at the forum with interested students groups so that we can continue to work together towards zero waste.”

This forum is part of a regular series of programs sponsored by RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts, which helps businesses and institutions maximize recycling, reuse and composting opportunities to decrease environmental impact, cut costs, improve employee morale and meet customer demands for sustainable practices.”

To learn more about this programming, visit Boston College news.

Stonehill Lets High School Students Experience a Day in the Life

Stonehill College recently hosted kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Brockton (BGCB) in order to give them a unique experience. BGCB seeks to “fire the imaginations of young men and women, exposing them to a range of educational and career opportunities while encouraging them to shoot for the moon.” As part of Stonehill’s recent college-access initiative, the two joined forces to provide new opportunities for high school students. Ten students from BGCB were chosen to spend the day immersed in Stonehill campus life and experiences. The students were able to attend an Admission session, learn about the application process, eat in the Dining Commons, and visit the library.

One of the main attractions of the day for the students was being able to attend a mock business class hosted by one of the business professors. This class “opened the eyes to the business person in each of the students, and let them explore case studies and enter into dialogue.” One student notes how this experience allowed him to see the independence one experiences in college and learn what is necessary to thrive.

To read more about Stonehill’s partnership with the Boys and Girls Club, visit Stonehill news.

Xavier Students Serve Others and Cheer on their Team

Xavier University students and alumni traveled once again to New York City to watch their basketball team play in the Big East Tournament. This is an event Xavier students look forward to each year, but not only because of the big game. Every year Xavier spends a night volunteering at the Four Star Soup Kitchen on West 114^th.  This year, students prepared, served food and cleaned at the site for about 100 people throughout the night.  The Soup Kitchen is there for people struggling to make it back on their feet and aims to give them a hand. The soup kitchen, which has been in operation since 1982, treats every person that walks in with dignity and respect, something that some of the visitors may not necessarily be used to.

One student volunteer noted how they, “love to come out to New York and go to basketball games, but it is also important to remember Xavier’s mission. We have to give back. We want to serve and be men and women for others.”

To read more about Xavier’s trip to New York, visit Xavier news.

Saint Louis University Hosts Climate Summit

Join Saint Louis University on April 22^nd for the Saint Louis Climate Summit! The Saint Louis Climate Summit is dedicated to working to fulfill Pope Francis’ call to unite in defense of our common home. This event is being hosted as part of Saint Louis University’s bicentennial anniversary celebration. The summit will include opening remarks given by Cardinal Peter Turkson in addition to keynote addresses by Bill Nye and Carl Pope.

There will also be a screening of Leonardo DiCaprio’s “Before the Flood” as well as multiple conference sessions. Celebrate Earth Day by attending this conference and becoming informed on issues regarding the state of our environment!

For more details and to register for this event, please visit Saint Louis Climate Summit.