What Can A University Be?
Hello again! This week I got all my "inductions" (building, lab, H&S) and trainings, got my university ID card and email, and ordered chemicals to start carrying out experiments, hopefully next week. I also proudly navigated the public transit system and only got on the wrong bus once! Of course, the routes and timetables are all changing next week as they move off the summer schedule so, back to the drawing board...
The funniest experience this week was when a cab driver said he couldn't understand me because of my "Scottish accent". At least seven generations removed from Scotland, I'm proud to know it still shines through. Or maybe he meant my "New Scottish" (i.e. Nova Scotian) accent?
Here are some beautiful pictures of the older part of campus -- Aston Webb Great Hall and "Old Joe", the clock tower.
Over the entrance to Aston Webb, there are statues of nine "Great Men" from the worlds of art, philosophy, science and industry. Apparently the figures were chosen to 'capture the vision for the University as a school of univeral instruction, not confined to any particular branch of knowledge but taking all knowledge in its province.' There were disagreements in the choice of the nine figures, eventually settling on a combination of great thinkers of history and prominent figures of the midlands. Can you tell who they are?
L to R: Beethoven, Virgil, Michelangelo, Plato, Shakespeare, Newton, Watt, Faraday, Darwin.
This year is University of Birmingham's 125th Anniversary, so they have historical exhibits throughout the Great Hall:
The idea of Redbrick Universities and the Civic University movement echo Barry's mission and Core Commitments. I stumbled across this great address from 2020 called "The value of values. On Catholic universities today" https://www.ucp.pt/value-values-catholic-universities-today It also asks the question, what can a University be? What should it be for its students? For its community? For its society? These questions grow increasingly more important in current times, and it was nice to find a parallel between the history of University of Birmingham and Barry.
I found one woman in the exhibit! "Although few women sat on the University founding committees, Birmingham Lady Mayoress Alice Beale created support systems for women students and sat on the University Court of Governors. As a social reform activist, she was the first President of the Birmingham Settlement, a charity supporting women and families in deprived areas."
Off campus now, over near Victoria Square in the City Center, you'll find this statue of "The Golden Boys" of Birmingham. Sadly, I was able to find no equivalent statue to honour the Golden Girls...but such were the times.
And last but not least, there is a Tim Horton's here! Haven't tried it, but a reliable source said it wasn't the same....
Leave comments below