CAMPUS … The word derives from a Latin word for "field" and was first used to describe the grounds of a college at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) during the 18th century (1774).   Other American colleges later adopted the word to describe individual fields at their own institutions, but "campus" did not yet describe the whole university property.

Academic Culture and Campus Culture Academic culture of universities mainly consists of academic outlooks, academic spirits, academic ethics and academic environments, faculty, facility, events … Academic culture is characterized by Individuality, academic features, leading, training & placement, variety and creativity. Campus culture includes Academic culture

Academic Culture and Campus Culture … The academic culture enhances the construction of campus culture. The campus culture conditions the development of academic culture. (positively/negatively)

CAMPUS CULTURE COMPONENTS Physical Buildings / Play grounds / Lawns / Open Spaces Technology Equipments & Facilities … Human Administrators / Staff / Students / Parents Employers / Others (Stakeholders) Organizational Top / Middle / Lower levels of administration Policies / Rules / Procedures , etc

Components … The Academic Unlearning / Learning / Re-learning Creating / Sharing / Applying knowledge Teaching – Learning – Evaluation process Training and Development Appraisal (what, why, how, so what?) The Co-curricular Skills - Soft (life) & hard (technical), Talents - literary / fine arts / games / sports etc Movements / Clubs / Associations etc

COMPONENTS … Institutional History, Pioneers , Legends , Vision, Ideals Healthy Practices / Benchmarks / Placement Individual Knowledge & Skills Values & Attitudes Social The Constitutional Preamble, Rights & Duties Neighbourhood Linkage / Celebrations, Festivals Spiritual Values / Ethics / Morals Rituals / Symbols

COMPONENETS … Impact Feedback (students / parents / employers /public) Impact on the immediate neighbourhood Impact on the wider society Impact on the system of higher education Significant Achievements Alumni Organization, Activities, Support Future Projections Vision, Master Plan (5 Years / 10 Years etc) Experiments / Pilot initiatives etc. Components : Sub-cultures of Campus Culture

The Yash Pal Committee’s Report (2009) The Idea of a University … A university is a place where new ideas germinate, strike roots and grow tall and sturdy. It is a unique space, which covers the entire universe of knowledge. It is a place where creative minds converge, interact with each other and construct visions of new realities. (where minds meet …) Established notions of truth are challenged in the pursuit of knowledge.

Yash Pal: The Idea of a University… The slow but increasing democratization of higher education in India has meant that, The university is no longer the preserve of the children of the elite, or of the educated/professional middle-class.

Yash Pal: The Idea of a University As more youngsters from a different segment of society enter the universities, They look at higher education as a means to transcend the class barriers. Consequently, university education is no longer viewed as a good in itself, But also as the stepping-stone into a higher orbit of the job market.

The Ex Corde Ecclesiae (John Paul II, 1990) Since the objective of a Catholic University is to assure in an institutional manner a Christian presence in the university world confronting the great problems of society and culture , Every Catholic University, as Catholic, must have the following essential characteristics:

Ex Corde … Essential Characteristics A Christian inspiration not only of individuals but of the university community as such; A continuing reflection in the light of the Catholic faith upon the growing treasury of human knowledge, to which it seeks to contribute by its own research;

Ex Corde …Essential Characteristics Fidelity to the Christian message as it comes to us through the Church; An institutional commitment to the service of the people of God and of the human family, In their pilgrimage to the transcendent goal which gives meaning to life

Ex Corde … Many Catholic Universities were founded by Religious Congregations, and continue to depend on their support; (No. 25) Those Religious Congregations dedicated to the apostolate of higher education are urged to assist these Institutions in the renewal of their commitment, and to continue to prepare religious men and women who can positively contribute to the mission of a Catholic University.

Ex Corde … Lay People Lay people have found in university activities a means by which they too could exercise an important apostolic role in the Church and, in most Catholic Universities today, the academic community is largely composed of laity; In increasing numbers, lay men and women are assuming important functions and responsibilities for the direction of these Institutions.

Ex Corde … Lay People The future of Catholic Universities depends to a great extent on the competent and dedicated service of lay Catholics. The Church sees their developing presence in these institutions both as a sign of hope and, As a confirmation of the irreplaceable lay vocation in the Church and in the world.

Salesian Higher Education: In India Early beginning, but Late realization … “… an awareness of the importance of this level of education and the development of the Salesian presence in it was realised only during the final decades of the last century …” (Salesian Youth Ministry, 2014: No. 231, p 212) St. Anthony’s College, Shillong (1934) Fr Juan Vecchi’s AGC 362, “A Service for Salesian Universities” (1997), 7 years after the Ex Corde … By which time India had 7782 Colleges, 2124 Professional Colleges and 244 Universities (Annual Report 2000 – 01, MHRD, GOI)

Identity of Salesian Institutions of Higher Education – No. 15 Every IUS as an institution of higher education is an academic community composed of teachers, students, and administrators. In a systematic, critical, and proactive way it promotes the development of the human person and of the cultural heritage of society, Through research, teaching, higher and ongoing education and diverse services offered to local, national and international communities

Members of the Academic Community(Salesian Youth Ministry, 2014: 216-217) Identification with the Salesian charism & method Ability to relate to young university / college students Who are in fact young adults, Not just school children Commitment to the institutional project, Calls for ethical and professional consistency of every member of the academic community The skills needed to perform one’s roles and duties Compliance with respective roles and functions Care for and promotion of an environment …

Members of the Academic Community(Salesian Youth Ministry, 2014: 216-217) Lecturers: Equipped with professional, pedagogical and social skills … consistence with the Gospel Students: Ready to learn and develop as human beings, committed to … the responsibility for the cultural, scientific and social values promoted by the Institutional Project Administrative and Ancillary Staff: Vital support to the institution, and to the formation of the students Management: Salesians and Lay people, Articulate the challenges and responsibilities of the institution and lead towards developing the Institutional Project

The Salesian Educational Climate (Salesian Youth Ministry, 2014: 220) “A key element of Salesian pedagogy is the educational climate.” “This is an abundance of stimuli and quality personal relationships that give currency to a set of values which make educative and pastoral activity possible.” “In Salesian educative praxis this demands”: Family Spirit, Fraternal Relationships, Reflecting values as solidarity, justice, freedom, equality etc, Encouraging individual growth, Promotion & accompaniment of groups through representative bodies, Physical structures that facilitate encounter, communication and relationships

Components of Institutional Project: Salesian Youth Ministry , 2014: p221) An educational model integrating the values and principles of Christian and Salesian humanistic vision A curricular model integrating human attitudes, knowledge and skills for life, profession and social inclusion A rigorous and scientific research model towards a transcendent vision of the human person and of life Interdisciplinary dialogue towards a comprehensive view of reality Study of religion and ethics … of an equal academic value with other disciplines

Strengths … The Salesian Charism (DB) Presentation, Personalization, Practice Community life / Team work Family Spirit / Informal Relationship Cordiality / Hospitality The Salesian pedagogy / Preventive system Lay collaboration Integrating the human, Christian, professional and social development (Salesian Youth Ministry, p222) The Salesian style … Relating, Accompanying, Leading … Brand Name / Public Image (how perceived …) A strength could lapse into weakness if …

Limitations & Challenges … Internal: Vision-Transmitted ,Learned ,Expressed/ Institutionalized? Human Relationship /Family Spirit-Mission driven? Groups and Sub-cultures - Contributing or Conflicting ? Sycophancy /Groupthink / Superficiality –Tolerated? Technology – Contributing / Supporting / Disturbing?

Limitations & Challenges … The Preventive System: Truncated ? Static / Dynamic? Revisited? Updated? The social context? “The social context is a constant reference point for the life and activities of the institute and is the testing ground for its educational proposals. It is a constant challenge for its relevance and significance.” Salesian Youth Ministry p.219) Addressing the Adult Youth ?

Limitations & Challenges … External: The social, economic, political, technological , academic … scenario of the wider society The elusive triangle: Quantity, Quality, Equality Integrating Inclusiveness and Excellence … Education for, with and from the people …? Impact on the system of higher education? Curriculum (content, method) Faculty (recruitment, development, appraisal) Students (empowered to transform) Employers (sharing, supporting the vision) On wider society (culture of …)

Towards A Salesian Campus Culture … Take stock … Analyse … Assess … Identify … Plan for Change … Target & Expect Results … Lead from the Front … by example … Promote Trust, Transparency, Team work Share and Own Responsibility … and Be Accountable