Integration week, let's meet the BDE

Now that classes have started, Integration Week seems like a very distant memory. In reality, it was only about a month ago that some of us were meeting each other for the first time, exploring the town whose streets we now know by heart, and navigating our way through administrative procedures. If you recall Integration Week, you would remember yourself in lots of crowded places, with a drink in hand, moving to some song that you were told was a “Mentonnaise classic,” and the following day, being asleep during some presentation about French health insurance or some administrative procedure.

In fact, for the week beginning the 23rd of August and ending the 28th, the BDE organised events day and night to facilitate the integration of the first years into the Mentonnaise community. You will remember the speed dating on Monday, a great way to meet new people; the discovery of Menton (which some groups took more seriously than others); the iHome Family Feud on Friday, where we learned more about Menton; and of course, kebab lunch and the hike on Sunday with Environnmenton. Arguably, some of the highlights of Integration Week were the MEDMUN party on Tuesday, where different teams competed in drunk games, the BDA artist party on Wednesday at Soundproof, and the MentonLoves party at Monkeys with the monochromatic theme. It was between conversations, hookups, and drunk moments that strangers became friends.

While we got to enjoy the week, behind the scenes stood the hardworking Integration Week Committee made up of members of the Bureau des Eleves (BDE) and other second year volunteers. The BDE, whose President is Ada Baser, is made up of a Vice-President, Owen Sircelj, a Treasurer, Raphaël Phanor, and four poles: On-Campus events, Off-Campus events, Communications and Logistics, and Social Service.

The BDE was first created with the intent of connecting administration to the student body, but over the years, the BDE’s role has become much bigger. The BDE has shifted from a simple bridge to a complex organization that is now a vital part of the campus. Most student events and initiatives are coordinated by the BDE and its members, without much recognition. They not only provide the basis of the Mentonnaise social fabric, but also meet with the administration regularly. Additionally, they take on some of the administrators' burden of managing campus events and other on-campus initiatives. In essence, the role of the BDE goes much deeper than what most may think.

The four poles each tackle different parts of the job: Communications and Logistics works on designing and promoting events and initiatives, their role focuses on achieving maximum outreach on campus; On- and Off-campus poles have an overlay as both deal with the organization and coordination of events — On-Campus is more specific to daytime events dealing with life on campus, while off-campus has its focus on evening events that deal more closely with student life on a more social and less academic level; Social Service, on the other hand, was first created last year due to the COVID pandemic in an attempt to improve safety and security in the community, though this pole has now developed into focusing on the outreach with the local community. The Social Service pole has started an initiative called Pizza et Parlare which consists of distributing pizza to those without a home once a week and understanding their needs. The BDE urges all of you to participate, connect with the community, understand realities different from ours, and learn how we can help those around us.

The BDE has lots of fun initiatives and events for the upcoming year, so make sure to stay tuned!

- Viola Luraschi