Common Reading Planning Process

Once the Common Reading has been selected, the Director of General Studies should order copies of the book for faculty and staff who will most likely use the book: GST 110 and ENG 110 faculty. If possible, the book should be made available to faculty teaching other first-year core classes (HED 111 and MTH 112) and Elon 101 faculty.

The committee, led by the Dean and Assistant to the Dean of Cultural and Special Programs, should attempt to schedule a visit from the author, people who may be the subject of the book, and experts in related fields who can offer valuable perspectives on the reading. The fee for the author’s visit should come from the Director of General Studies. If for some reason the committee decides not to have the author visit, or if the author is unable to visit, these monies should be used to sponsor lectures and forums relating to the reading.

All committee members should generate creative ways of using the reading, both in and out of classes. Faculty across the campus should be approached to assist in this task, when appropriate, as should staff in Student Life. The committee should attempt to interest faculty beyond first-year core instructors in using the book, to widen the scope of this intellectual initiative.

The Director of General Studies and the Elon 101 Director should prepare a mailing and Blackboard site to inform incoming students of the Common Reading Program and the current selection. This information will be distributed in March and April at Orientation sessions and via email once students have been accepted. The committee should also sponsor a lunch discussion of the Common Reading and upcoming events during Planning Week.