The Monday Message: Haikus and You

As you know, the NOVA Operations Daily email that goes out at the end of each day is now serving as my “nuts and bolts” message to the college community. So, I thought I’d make use of these Monday Messages to find ways to keep us from sliding into social isolation as we maintain the all-important social distancing.

On the Administrative Council’s daily call Friday, I shared the idea of a “NOVA Remote Teaching/Teleworking Haiku Contest,” and everyone laughed politely, which I took as a ringing endorsement! So, this week, I’m asking all NOVA stay-at-home poets to enter a haiku contest in which the winners will be published in the next Monday Message:

• Haiku is a traditional Japanese poetic form with three lines: 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables. The lines do not typically rhyme. Your haiku should follow this form. Here’s an example by the poet Philip Appleman:

Clouds murmur darkly,
it is a blinding habit—
gazing at the moon.

• Your haiku should capture the experience of remote teaching or teleworking.
• You can enter only one haiku.
• Send your entry to me at PresidentsOffice@nvcc.edu

And, to inspire you, I want to share an email I received this weekend that wonderfully conveys the power of all that you are doing to support our students at this incredibly challenging moment:

Good Day, I am currently [studying] at NOVA and have been connected one way or another to institutions of higher learning since the late 60s/early 70s. Let’s just say I have seen a lot of challenges when it comes to the provision of higher education. You and your staff are to be commended for the “reach out and support” provided to students during this current challenge. Really, I have never seen anything more open and supportive, with a quick provision of new and creative resources … congrats!

I’m not entering, but if I were, here is what I’d write based on this lovely and well-deserved message of commendation for your extraordinary efforts:

Rising against odds
Bold–with care and compassion–
NOVA shines brightly!

Again, thank you so much for all that you are doing to support our students and each other!

Best,

Anne