Appalachian State
University’s Summer Reading Committee seeks student and faculty
contribution for the fall 2004 freshman reading selection.
Last Wednesday, the committee held their first meeting to discuss
the process of summer reading selection.
Former committee coordinator Nancy Span said her involvement with
the program is a gratifying experience.
“The summer reading program is campus-wide. It couldn’t
take place without a wide range of people to make it happen,”
Span said.
She said she believes that campuswide efforts make the program successful.
Current summer reading coordinator Dr. Marianne Suggs and Span both
agree the reading selection should capture a student’s interests
and challenge his or her thinking about the world.
Suggs said she admits selections from the past such as “And
the Waters Turned to Blood” received some pessimistic feedback.
“Ninety-nine percent of responses are positive. Negative comments
are few and far between,” Suggs said. She said she realized
not all students read the entire book, but it allowed them to engage
in intellectual conversation and debate.
Most reading for college is assigned to discuss. The freshman reading
selection is given to students free of charge, and holds no requirements
to be used in the classroom.
Suggs said she feels reading outside the classroom encourages students
to communicate feelings and opinions in social situations. The design
of the reading selection allows other programs to take place and
involve more than just freshmen.
Films, plays and guest speakers for Convocation are products of
the reading selection taking place throughout the year.
Suggs said she suggests that students ask themselves several significant
questions before submitting a response.
What books are compelling? Did it cause thought or bring a new perspective
to an issue? Is it important for the author to speak at Convocation?
Length is another issue to consider.
A selection should be under 300 pages to ensure it will not become
tedious and uninteresting.
Suggs said past student input reported students were interested
in books they could relate to personally.
Personal experience provides a large impact. Selections lacking
relation to current events and environments that students are living
in do not take as strong of an effect.
Sarah Smith, a Summer Reading Committee member, is one of four other
students who have influence on the selections.
“It is important to have student influence,” Smith said.
She said she looks forward to the selection process catering to
the needs for next year’s freshmen.
For more information or to submit ideas and suggestions, contact
Suggs at suggsms@appstate.edu. |
