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Beyond Borders: Student Encounters with the Developing World Kristen Demaiter spent her three-month Intercordia placement in Ecuador. In May of 2006, eleven St. Jerome's students left for locations in developing countries around the world, including Belize, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ecuador, Honduras, and Ukraine. For three months, they lived with families whose everyday existence is very different from their own, and worked with organizations that allowed them to "get their hands dirty," says SJU program director, Scott Kline. In August, they returned, minds changed and hearts opened. Intercordia Canada, which provides the structure for the experience, partners with universities to promote cross-cultural understanding, giving students an opportunity to build relationships with marginalized individuals. Inspired by the vision of Jean Vanier, founder of the international L'Arche federation, Intercordia is a natural fit with St. Jerome's, says Kline. "The program allows us to provide an educational experience outside of the classroom, which addresses our mission of educating the whole person. It gives us the opportunity to put theory into practice, faith into action. And it allows students to develop a compassionate and moral response to situations of injustice and poverty." The St. Jerome's Intercordia program officially began in the Fall of 2005. In September 2006, enrolment had grown to 18 students, with many more anticipated as the program establishes itself. In fact, Kline is developing his own connections in other developing countries to meet student interests and demand. The expanded program will be called Beyond Borders. When asked to describe her experience in Ukraine, third-year student Sarah Noonan says, "It was challenging and frustrating--but I needed it to be that in order for me to learn what I learned." Sarah worked in an orphanage with children with various disabilities, and her host family consisted of a single mother and her 11-year-old daughter. Both situations provided her with warm memories and lots of opportunities to grow. "I learned more from this experience than from any other experience I have ever had," she says. Mike Little, who worked at a youth centre in Bosnia, says that before his immersion experience he "couldn't really grasp the immensity of what going to Bosnia meant." A political science student, his interest in the Bosnian political scene made him more conscious of his own Canadian political context. "As a Canadian," he says, "I didn't look at ethnicity as any kind of political factor, but spending time in a country with a deep nationalist division that is based on ethnicity, I was made aware of how complex the issue really is." Amanda Grobbecker, who Mike Little during a reflective moment in Bosnia. Presidential Search and Senior Administrative Appointments The Search Committee established by the Board of Governors to identify prospective candidates for President and Vice-Chancellor worked diligently for eight months and brought forward two candidates in September 2006. Following considerable consultation and deliberation, the Board has asked the Committee to resume its search. Since Michael Higgins' departure in July 2006, the Dean and Vice-President, Myroslaw Tataryn, has been fulfilling the responsibilities of the Acting President and Vice-Chancellor. Recognizing that the appointment of a new President may take some time, the Board of Governors voted unanimously on January 22, 2007, to appoint Tataryn the Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. The Board also unanimously appointed Ted McGee, an Associate Dean, to the position of Interim Dean and Vice-President. Cyntha Struthers, who is also Associate Dean, will continue in that role until her sabbatical begins on July 1, 2007. In communicating this decision to faculty and staff, Board Chair Dorothee Retterath stated that "the Board of Governors has full confidence in the senior administrative team. On behalf of the Board, I wish to express our gratitude for the work they have done and our appreciation for their willingness to take on additional duties during our period of transition." For ongoing information about the Presidential Search, check our website: www.sju.ca