Apple Blossom Parade!!

Hey Everyone!

This summer the Mount Summer Crew (equipped with Monty!) are traveling around the Maritimes and going in a variety of community festivals and events! Our first stop is tomorrow!

The Mount and Monty (The mascot!) are going to be taking over the Annapolis Valley! Look for us in the Apple Blossom Parade, which starts at 1PM. www.appleblossom.com

Show your Mount pride and wear a piece of Mount clothing (t-shirt, hat, sweat-shirt, etc.) and if we see you – we might have a little something something to give you. :) Also, if you are in the crowd and manage to get a picture of Monty or the Mount Summer Crew – send it to me at: julie.smith2@msvu.ca

I’ll see everyone tomorrow at 1 in the Valley!

Cheers,
Julie Smith

Earth Day

It's Earth Day! The members of our Mount community take pride in trying to make efforts towards becoming more sustainable and contributing towards our community and the environment. One of the ways we do this is each year, on Earth Day, the staff and faculty of the Mount all pitch in to do a big campus clean-up. This is my third year going (of the four we’ve been doing it) and it’s always a great time. We show up at noon, get assigned a section of the campus, are handed out gloves and some garbage bags, and then we clean, clean, clean.

The group I went with this year included Courtney Barnhill and Erin Morice from our Recruitment Office, and Katie Belcher and Stefan Hancherow from the Art Gallery. We were assigned the green spaces in and around the Rosaria Student Centre parking lot. So what kind of garbage do you find in that area? We had everything from about a zillion cigarette butts and disintegrating pieces of paper, to Tim Horton’s and McDonald’s cups and wrappers, to a large metal pipe, and finally to an empty ring box (a proposal gone wrong perhaps?). We collected it all up and brought it back to the main area and they rewarded us with a barbeque, a reusable coffee mug and a tree of our own to plant somewhere.

The last part of the event included a big announcement – the Mount’s new sustainability webpage is live! It includes all of the information you ever wanted to know about how the Mount is becoming greener every day and what you can do to help.

Check out a few more photos of the day on our Facebook Fan page (and become a fan while you're at it!).

Happy Earth Day!

The Mount in 45 Minutes

When I think about going on a tour, I get all excited and think of what I'll get to see and do, such as: going to a new place, meeting new people, doing something exciting, experiencing something fun. I believe these phrases really define the Mount campus tour.

As as prospective Mount student, a tour is something new and inspiring. You get to discover life at the Mount in 45 minutes packed with all the information you need to know. You get to see the main bulidings on campus and observe the typical day in the life of a Mount student. But most of all, you get to experience the Mount and all the excitement there is in being here in this lovely campus surrounded by outstanding professors, amazing staff and great students.

For the tour guide, it is something unique and delightful every time. Every tour is one of a kind. I always get asked interesting questions by prospective students and their parents. It feels good to be able to share how wonderful of an experience it is to be a Mount student.

Photo in this blog courtesy of Mount PR Students Luke Levy and Nicole Lawrence.

Six Hours in the Life of a Mount Student Volunteer

For me, volunteering is always both fun and rewarding. Knowing that you are able to help and have fun as well is surely worth one's time. On March 5, I had a chance to put six hours of my time to very good use, when I was a volunteer at Explore the Mount, our winter Open Campus Day.


Sitting on the table for the speed networking was a very good way to start the day. I had the chance to share my life as a Mount student to prospective students and their parents, and to answer the questions they had about how fun it is here at the Mount. One student asked me if there was one thing I didn't like about the Mount, and it took me forever to think, because there are actually none! Well, ok, I said walking up the hill is always a challenge. But hey! I can attest that it's a good exercise. Doing it daily keeps me healthy and fit!


Breaking into groups and leading the students to their 'classrooms' brought back memories of when I was trying to find a classroom during my first term here at the Mount. It was great way to help future Mount students NOT to get lost in Seton!


Even lunch time was so much fun. Aramark did a very good job. The food they served was really fantastic. From the veggies to the wraps, it was all healthy. It's definitely one aspect that parents
can let out a sigh of relief, knowing that their children will be eating healthy while on campus.


The info session proved to be really informative even to a current Mount student like me. I had a chance to ask about the different services the library has to offer; the different countries a Mount student can go for an exchange; the different student societies and what they have to offer; the counseling services; the career planning services. It made me realize that there is absolutely a lot of assistance a Mount Student can take advantage of to help them become a well rounded individual!


Raffle time was SO exciting! How I wish I also had a chance to join. I wanted those amazing prices that they were giving away especially the NETBOOK!


Just when I thought the fun was over, there was still one final activity that I think was a very great way to end the funfilled day. The campus tour! Students were grouped into two, those who wanted to see the residences and the other group who is not thinking of living in residence. Other student volunteers lead the tours of our beautiful campus and it was equally fun for the prospective students and the student leaders as well.


Indeed, it was a very worthwhile six hours of my time! Until the next Explore the Mount!

Monty the Change Bandit

Over the last couple of weeks the Admissions and Registrar's Office joined together to collect change as part of C100's (one of our local radio stations) fundraising efforts for Halifax's children's hospital the IWK. We ended up collecting a grand total of $566.11 just from spare change donated within the office and from the Mount students, staff and faculty who dropped in during that time!

The radio station was broadcasting live during the drop-off days of the event so Monty, our mascot, and some of our staffers decided to take the change down personally and say hello to the deejays and Liz Rigney who were hosting the event. Monty got to help out with counting the change and Wanda Mason from the Registrar's Office, spoke for him on the radio.

Great work everyone!

4 Types of Information Sessions This Month!

Mount Saint Vincent University will be hosting information sessions during February. Please note that there are four types of sessions.

1. The NSCC 2+2 Articulation Agreement Sessions are only open to students currently enrolled at NSCC
2. Holland College 2+2 Articulation Agreement Sessions are only open to students currently enrolled at Holland College.
3. The Community Undergraduate Information Sessions are open to anyone considering or already accepted to the Mount in an undergraduate program.
4. The Individual Sessions are open to anyone who would like to arrange a meeting with an Admissions Officer to ask questions or have their application assessed for admission. Please email courtney.barnhill@msvu.ca three days before she will be in your area to arrange an appointment.

At all sessions students have a chance to submit their application to the Mount, and to have it reviewed for admission right away. All you need to bring is a completed application form, your official transcripts in sealed envelopes, and a cheque, credit card or cash to pay the application fee of $30!

Students who have already applied, or who are considering applying, can ask questions about opportunities at the Mount, including scholarships and the services we offer to our students. Check out this link to get more information on locations and times!

It's New Years Resolution Time

Hey everyone, it’s Julie here again!
It’s that time again, when the calendars change and resolution talks are up in the air. I thought really hard about a resolution that I could make this year (and that I wouldn’t break!). I picked to do better in school. (Hopefully I achieve it! ha)

There are so many resources here at the mount that can help me achieve this resolution. My professors are really easy going and flexible for meetings and extra help. I’m not afraid to say I don’t understand. The mount has a writing resource center which can help me with all my essays that I will need to write. I can even take a workshop on procrastinating!

There a good thing the libraries are open late – because that’s where I’ll be if I’m not in class! The library staff is very helpful and friendly if I need help with information or just finding a book!

Another key thing I’m sure that will help me is to be organized! I have already bought my books (the Students’ Union has a great book fair going on, in with you support your students’ union and your fellow students!). The next step is to get my binders organized! Good thing the book store has tons of binders and school supplies!

One thing I’ll be sure to do is visit my academic advisor. Mine always makes sure that I’m on track in my program & gives me helpful tips and suggestions! They are a lifesaver!

These are just a few ideas that I have so far to getting the grades I want. I’ll update you guys and tell you how I’m doing! Oh! And if you guys have any tips or suggestions, reply to this message or go to the mount fan page or thinking the mount in 2010 page! J