2011-12 Message

Each year, as the new academic year begins, I find myself thinking about our university community and what each of us can do in our individual way to ensure the student experience is everything it should be.

Nelson Mandela once wrote “when we lose the right to be different we lose the privilege to be free”.  A core idea expressed by Mandela is the importance of community, both as a right and a responsibility.

We define community as something that happens when students, faculty and staff participate in common activities, depend on one another and make decisions together leading long-term to the well-being of our university community.  Student success occurs when students achieve a sense of belonging -- when they feel the university community is important to them and they are important to the university community.

Our individual approach to achieving a sense of belonging is important.  In fact, it is one of the most important things each of us can do to ensure a high quality student experience at the University of Windsor.

The key element in creating sense of belonging is social interaction.  It needs to be a pervasive and persistent feature of our university community -- and we all have a role in creating and sustaining social interaction.  It should be inclusive and respectful of our differences.  Each of us needs to find ways to engage each other so that we bring out our best.

Best wishes for a successful academic year!

Clayton Smith
Vice-Provost, Students & International