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The Common Read

Many campuses use some form of common read, but I think that our campus and others have had various experiences with how useful and generally engaging the read has been.

I first encountered the Common Read at the University of South Dakota. The Read was limited to incoming Honors students, about 120-150 students. I find that limitation elitist, but the University did a great job engaging students. Early in the first semester, freshman Honors students were invited by the President to a dinner. Each table had a discussion leader-a faculty or staff member who had read the book and prepared for the discussion. A wonderful engagement of students, faculty, and staff in an intellectual community. I could only wish it were broader and even more sustained.

The University of Idaho did a wonderful job selecting books, and always brought the author to campus, usually in Fall. All students were expected to read the book, and faculty were urged to use the book in their first year seminars. Authors visited campus, engaging with faculty and students. Authors had a small dinner with the President, which my wife and I always found special, though perhaps a bit too exclusive. The day was capped by a public presentation. Most memorable was the presentation by Tara Westover of her book, “Educated”. A memoir set in Idaho and dealing with many issues, including what it means to become educated. The talk engaged the Moscow community, who filled the 600 seats in our ballroom…leaving about 400 spots on the floor for students who came minutes before the talk. A great evening, but I think we need to think of ways to make these occasions even more engaging-for faculty, staff, students, and community.

I’d love to hear experiences on other campuses-please comment!

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Honor scholarship across campus

Many universities are trying to enhance their research stature; usually this is measured by NSF-reported research expenditures. Unfortunately, a simple measure like this leaves many faculty members, particularly those in the arts, feeling left out.

My Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Janet Nelson, did a great job addressing this concern with two simple, complementary, and engaging programs. First, sponsor a mini grant program focused on arts and other disciplines unable to attract major extramural support. Though $5000 might buy only 1% of a major NMR, it could-for example-build the world’s only 5-string cello (now at the University of Idaho). Who amongst us science nerds realized that Bach had written suites for the 5-string cello that had not been heard for hundreds of years? Well, Miranda Wilson at the University of Idaho knew this…and now you CAN hear those pieces because she was the recipient of a mini grant.

And, where did the contemporary world first hear those pieces…at an interdisciplinary “Short and Sweet” research symposium. These symposia typically had 5-8 talks of about 5 minutes. Topics spanned the five string cello to fire science at the urban-wild interface. An afternoon symposium and light refreshment (yes, we did provide wine) drew a very interdisciplinary crowd-much more interested than most of our 1-hour, professional talks.

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University art…for those without traditional collections

Art enriches our lives and our campuses. Though most larger campuses have a museum, many people on campus won’t visit. The University of South Dakota used an unusual way to ensure that art was visible across campus: they collected masterworks from each graduating BFA and MFA student, and exhibited them in offices and classroom buildings across campus.

The USD approach served multiple purposes. The Art Department did not have room to store all of the art-but universities have a lot of office and classroom building spaces. Art was more visible across campus, and I think encouraged participation in organized gallery events, as well.

Some might be concerned about vandalism-I never saw it. I think that people respect art. Though I understand that the Mona Lisa may need more protection than a painting by Joe Smith, Class of ‘72…this never seemed to be a problem.

We did not adopt this at Idaho, just something that never quite made the list. But, we enjoyed exhibitions of student art in the Art and Architecture Building, and we also started a “President and Provost Collection” that we planned to hang in the Administration Building. I am not sure the new administration is as committed to that idea, but I think it remains a positive step in popularizing the arts on campus.