An apple a day is good for a lot of things, and for Brandon University students who are cramming for exams this week, it’s a nice boost of fresh nutrition while they hit the books.
Putting a fresh spin on the old apple-for-teacher idea, one BU instructor has partnered with the Alumni Association to deliver fresh fruit throughout the university’s study areas during evenings all this week.
“It’s not just the library,” said Caroline Mullins, as she stood in the George T. Richardson Library on Wednesday evening with a basket of apples. “I’ll go to SUDS, to Down Under, to the nursing building, the Brodie Building — anywhere I find a student.”
Mullins, a nutrition instructor in Health Studies, partners with the Alumni Association to deliver fresh fruit to weary students who may be more used to salt- or sugar-heavy snacks, washed down with a heavy dose of caffeine.
“Oh, these are so cold and good,” said second-year nursing student Erin Wedgewood, who crunched into an apple Wednesday evening while studying with a few fellow students.
Alumni Association President Deb Carnegie and Alumni Relations Officer Carla Eisler also donned aprons to hand out fruit.
Apples and oranges are the most popular, Mullins said. They’re tasty, nutritious and last a long time. Bananas, for example, she said ripen too quickly.
“Staff tell me that when the tables are empty and we refill it, you can hear the kids whispering, ‘They’re back!’” she said. “It really makes a connection. You’re feeding the body, the mind and their souls.”
Fruit deliveries happen every evening for about a week, twice a year in the study-heavy time around exams, and other BU faculty and staff are welcome to join in, she said.
“It’s fun,” Mullins said. “Everywhere on campus there are pockets of students studying.”
This is the third year for fruit delivery at BU. Mullins says she was inspired to start it after her own children texted her asking for something to eat, and when she arrived, there were empty pizza boxes everywhere.
All told, about $350 worth of fruit is delivered to students every exam period. The Alumni Association does accept donations to help defray the costs of the fruit. Anyone can contribute by calling toll-free 1-877-BU2GIVE (1-877-282-4483) or by calling the main office at 204-727-7374. People can also drop by the Alumni office on the main floor of Clark Hall, or give online at: brandonu.ca/give/donate
Any donations received on or before Dec. 31 are eligible for a 2015 tax receipt. Online donors please write “healthy fruit drive” for the gift designation to ensure the money goes to the correct account.
In the spring, the Alumni Association also provides ice cream cones as “exam relief” and also partners with BUSU to provide free nachos during their January trivia night.
“Supporting current students is one of the many ways that former students can help out,” Eisler said. “Of course, we remember what it was like to cram for exams, so there’s that, but it’s also a fun way for alumni to stay connected with BU. It doesn’t take a lot of time, and the students really appreciate it.”
Exams at Brandon University start on Saturday, Dec. 12 and most wrap up by Saturday Dec. 19. Full timetable.
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