Purpose is the reason for which something exists. A higher purpose implies a design which transcends our world, and being called means we are responding to a Designer. “Called to a higher purpose” is Trinity Western University’s motto for this school year. As students, how do we respond to this imperative statement?

I find myself wondering what is my purpose here? Do I go to this school because it fits with my idea of purpose, or am I willing to open myself to the possibility of discovering a new one? When I first came to Trinity, I eagerly looked forward to the challenges and issues that I would encounter. And while my ideas and thoughts have shifted radically, I still find that my sense of purpose has most significantly come from my encounters with people and culture: not with lofty vision statements.

Few would argue that Trinity Western University is experiencing numerous changes. With last fall’s inauguration of a new president, and the release of the yet-to-be-finalized 10-year strategic plan, change is being seen—and projected—at every level of the university.

In light of this, President Dr. Jonathon Raymond sat down with Mars’ Hill to discuss the future of the university, and look forward to the next Board of Governors (BOG) gathering, which the president calls a “watershed” in the future of TWU.

Information Centered

According to Raymond, many upcoming changes will occur as the result of shift to a more information-driven approach to running the university.

- It was reported to the board that the university came out of a six million dollar deficit to end year with $23,000 surplus.

- The Campus master plan proposed in 2000 has been revised, and has prompted the development of an on-campus “living-learning” center, and the renovation of the Calvin B. Hanson chapel.

- Approval was given for the university to proceed with negotiations with the Township to connect to the GVRD water supply.

- An increased emphasis on fund-raising and new student enrolment to finance new growth proposals for “educational vitality,” and “necessary infrastructure.”

It’s the age old question: is the council half-empty, or half-full?

With seven elected positions vacant, as well as four appointed positions yet unfilled, as the year begins, the Trinity Western University Student Association begins with a less-than-full council.

But that doesn’t stop Kerala Levitt, Executive Vice President, from being an optimist. “We didn’t have a full council last year either,” she said.

Alison Fraser, Vice President of Student Relations, feels a smaller council is not a problem. “I think that the people we have are intelligent and self-motivated,” she said, adding that “a small council can be just as effective. “

TORONTO (CUP) – Eight separate reports of sexual assault have been reported at universities all across Ontario since September 1st.

The first sexual assault occurred at Carleton University in Ottawa, and since then, seven more have been reported across Ontario. Three separate attacks occurred at Laurentian University on Sept. 3, two the following night on Sept. 4, one at Wilfred Laurier University and the other at the University of Ottawa and on Sept. 7, two students from York University were sexually assaulted while sleeping in their residence room.

What used to be a hopping spot on campus may once again return to a central hang out, as renovations will soon start on Trinity Western University’s Lower Cafeteria. The “lower caf” has been closed this semester in preparation for the overhaul that will soon transform the space.

Scott Henderson, director of University Enterprises at TWU, is excited about the proposal put forward by Sodexho, the food provider on campus, to bring in new businesses. “The new concept will bring more fresh choices for students,” said Henderson.

Over the summer, Trinity Western University implemented a technological change that had been in the works for almost a year. Now all TWU students have an email address that ends in @mytwu.ca, replacing the former @agape.twu.ca accounts.

Stephen Morris, the Executive Director of Information Technology, said that the change was put into practice solely to improve student service.

According to Morris, the biggest benefit of switching from the former Outlook Express server to Windows Live Mail, is that “it gives students far larger mailboxes.” The new inboxes can hold up to 2GB, as opposed to the 15MB that the @agape.twu.ca accounts could hold. This means the new accounts can hold 133 times more email.

Commuters at Trinity Western University had a pleasant surprise when they arrived back to school this fall. Rather than having to spend $155 on wireless internet for the year, each commuter with an active TWU account can now enjoy free wireless internet on campus.

“We could get enough of the budget allocated so we could eliminate the fee altogether,” said Stephen Morris, the Executive Director of Information Technology.

Morris believes that free wireless is an essential service for the university, and just one more way that TWU is trying to improve student service.