The Office of Residential Life will begin recognizing individuals who showcase what it means to be “Committed to Community,” by giving them wristbands.
Residential Life staff members are on the lookout for students who are doing something to reflect this value. These individuals will be given two red and white rubber wristbands displaying the phrase “Committed to Community” on one side and “University of Hartford” on the other. Each recipient will receive two so that they can pass one on to another member of the UHa community who has also shown that they are committed to community.
Mike Ormsby, Residential Director of the Village Apartments, called the operation, “a pay it forward initiative,” in hopes of recognizing the efforts of those to better the University.
“Each and every one of our students, faculty, and staff makes the University of Hartford the community that it is today. Our goal is showcase our commitment to community through our behavior, actions, and attitude on a daily basis,” Ormsby said.
Residential Life will be handing out wristbands to students who are actively involved in the University of Hartford community. Shawn McQuillan, Assistant Director of Residential Life, is heading up the operation. He said that there are a variety of activities in which students can showcase how they embody being committed to community.
Activities worthy of being awarded with a wristband can range anywhere from volunteering to shovel snow to being an active member of Hall Council.
Even the simplest thing such as showing kindness to another student who is having a rough day could be merit for a wristband.
Residential Life is looking to award students who aim to better the community by working with one another and therefore bettering the University of Hartford experience. McQuillan initially ordered 600 wristbands and plans on purchasing more this week. He also expressed his hopes for the campaign.
“We hope it will inspire students to embody our institutional values and to live their life as someone who is Committed to Community… we hope that eventually every student will have a wristband and plan to continue this program for the coming academic year as well,” McQuillan said.
The phrase “Committed to Community” comes from the University of Hartford’s value statement which says, “at the University of Hartford we are committed to community. We are an academic community that values integrity, curiosity, creativity, excellence, responsibility, and accomplishment. Enriched by our diversity and our engaged with one another, we take pride in our shared traditions and experiences. We are dedicated to building a culture that respects all of its members and celebrates their contributions as we work together to strengthen our community.”
By establishing this campaign, Residential Life hopes to make being “Committed to Community” more than a slogan. Students and faculty can make this value a way of life at the University of Hartford. If students and faculty alike are committed to community, Mcquillan said, “we will have a campus community that looks out for one another, is engaged in each other’s lives, and that care about each other and the success of each member of the community.”