I have been doing some reading lately about community engagement and how universities are sometimes viewed as beautifully landscaped, isolated islands that are disconnected from the community. Yet, many academics are very involved in helping to solve real world issues, although their institutions rarely reward them for their efforts.
The UBC campus is particularly beautiful in springtime. As I walked through the campus at the end of a long and challenging week, drinking in the colours and scents, I was very grateful that my learning environment was draped in such beauty.