McMaster has traditionally been known as a community that cares about being a good neighbour. During the pandemic, McMaster students have shown that they can be helpers by following public health guidelines and healers by caring for community members as volunteers in healthcare settings.
With the community in mind, McMaster University has been working with the Hamilton Police Services, Hamilton Paramedic Service and Hamilton By-Law to promote safety and respect ahead of St. Patrick’s Day. With an aligned message, these organizations are encouraging all students to continue to make choices that prioritize safety and are considerate of the children, adults and seniors who live in the neighbourhoods that surround campus.
“Heading into St. Patrick’s Day, please be considerate of the families, seniors, and fellow students who live around the university. While socializing with friends, our ask is that students avoid the extremely high risks associated with large gatherings, whether in Hamilton or in any community across Ontario,” says Sean Van Koughnett, associate vice-president and dean of students at McMaster University. “Since the return of in-person learning this winter, our students have been phenomenal about caring for each other and our surrounding communities. We want to keep that momentum going.”
McMaster is reaching out to students in various ways, including a message from the Dean of Students, social media posts, and communications within student residences on campus. McMaster is also engaging with students who live in the community and with neighbours, hand delivering messages about being kind and respectful.
“McMaster has been an important community partner in encouraging students to be good neighbours especially around times like St. Patrick’s Day,” says Frank Bergen, Chief of Police, Hamilton Police Services. “Helping students understand the importance of respecting their neighbours goes a long way in reinforcing the many positive contributions students make to our city.”
Hamilton Police Services, Hamilton Paramedic Service and City of Hamilton will also be sharing messages on social media about prioritizing safety.
While our main concern is for the health and safety of our community, we also want to prevent any student from experiencing any adverse impacts when bylaws, laws and/or McMaster’s Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities are violated.
McMaster University would like to thank those who have worked together to help promote the message about being a good neighbour and how to celebrate safely this St. Patrick’s Day.