Matthew Cram ’12

Every school has its share of politically active students and their respective clubs and societies. Some are more active and vocal than others, and if recent events such as those with UC Berkley’s Republicans are any indication, some are more willing to shock. It reasons then, that at such a large as school and with students hailing from every cultural and economic background in the world, that U of T would also have its fair share of vocal student activists. And it does. But is it also possible to have a club in which politically active students from all backgrounds sit around to discuss current events and then go out into the community to work for a solution that they all agree on? This week’s Campus Celebrity and Executive Director of Beyond Intellectual Discovery, Matthew Cram, believes that you can.  
 
Matthew is a fourth year St. Michael’s College student majoring in history with a double minor in religion and political science. Born and raised in Toronto, Matthew came to U of T for “all the obvious reasons- its reputation was impeccable… [and having worked with numerous alumni knew of its] excellent learning environment [and] communal atmosphere.” Proudly, and perhaps with a bit of a jab at a fellow Toronto school that shall not be named, the best University within biking distance of his house.  He stresses U of T’s “welcoming environment” as being one of the main factors that has made him love the school so much. A feeling that has no doubt been influenced by his involvement in campus clubs, including serving as a coordinator of St. Michael’s College’s Out of the Cold Program, Communications Director of the University of Toronto Students for Life, and member of the University of Toronto United Nations Society on top of his commitment as Executive Director of Beyond Intellectual Discovery.
 
Beyond Intellectual Discovery is one of the newer clubs on campus, founded only in 2008. BID, as it is affectionately referred to by its members, differentiates itself from the countless other debate and discussion groups on campus by “narrowing the gap between theory and practice.” This is done by expanding the discussion into forums such as public panels and debates that feature professors and community leaders in an attempt to translate their discussion into action. Additionally, BID hosts a series of annual events including the Trick or Eat campaign this Halloween, working with St. Basil’s Out of the Cold Program, and a fundraiser for International Women’s Day. This year they will also be volunteering at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health.  This is all done on top of weekly meetings held at New College from 5-7 PM, debates that Matthew encourages everyone to attend.
 
Matthew says that “this year is shaping up to be [his] busiest and most productive year ever at U of T and he wouldn’t have it any other way.” Just to show how much he truly loves U of T, he notes that while he’s “set to graduate this coming year” he hopes to remain at the school after he graduates at the end of the year by heading across the street to OISE.