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Creating community Tt could have been Convocation: the procession of professors in full regalia, the students walking forward one by one to be greeted by officers of the university. But it wasn't. Held in Siegfried Hall on St. Jerome's feast day, September 28, 2003, it was St. Jerome's first Investiture Ceremony. The event was held to welcome all new students and their parents to the St. Jerome's community, says Andrea Charette, Director of Student Services. "Convocation is a very important event for both students and their families. We wanted to do something equally meaningful at the beginning of their time with us." The ceremony, the presentation of a gold "SJU" lapel pin to each student, and the signing of a special book, followed by a reception and evening mass, combined to make an early and memorable connection with new students, including those not living in residence--the ones who may have difficulty getting involved in the university community unless the community reaches out to them. St. Jerome's has always prided itself on being a place where everyone knows one another, everyone belongs. In the past, staff and students made each others' acquaintance as the students came in to drop or add courses or view their records. But now, students can do most of their paperwork online, through QUEST, the university's student information system. Which is good, Charette admits. "Students like the convenience of QUEST. But more than one said they missed coming in to see us." More importantly, without that face-to-face meeting, some students might never know who their academic advisor is, talk to anyone about career goals or finances, or know who to ask about personal problems. "The onus was on us to make the connection," Charette says. Making connections is the purpose of a slate of new initiatives, starting with the Investiture Ceremony. To maintain the connection, the St. Jerome's Off Campus Connection program (SOCC), coordinated by students Tracy Pickard and Melanie Seaborne, offers non-resident students a program of events such as bonfires, bus trips, and lectures, as well as volunteer opportunities. Smaller events can have an impact too, like the Student Life 101 breakfast for new students held in August, and the orientation week barbecue with staff and faculty doing the cooking--a successful party that attracted 200 of this year's 260 new students. Sometimes, all it takes is a phone call to break the ice. Last year, early in the term, staff contacted all new students to ask how things were going. They asked about specifics. "Do you know who your academic advisor is? Do you know how to use QUEST?" The students were also informed about health services, counselling, and other support services, and of opportunities for getting involved with the St. Jerome's Students' Union and ATC (Across the Creek), the recently revived student newsletter. The response was so positive, the calls will be repeated this year. "Many had questions that we were able to resolve right then," Charette says. "But most of all, they were so pleased that we had reached out to them." 1' St. Jerome's University Volume 21 • Number 2 Fall/Winter 2003 First- year students at St. Jerome's first investiture ceremony Photo: Mike Christie