The Committee for a Better Carolina, a non-profit student organization in opposition of the book selection, claims Ehrenreich is a "radical socialist" and accuses the University of ignoring conservative views contrary to those presented in the book.

Appalachian State University and UNC-Asheville also assigned "Nickel and Dimed" to its students.

UNC-CH encountered a great deal of media attention and resistance from several groups during the 2002-03 school year after assigning "Approaching the Qur`E1n: The Early Revelation" by author Michael Sells as the freshman common reader.

Tom Arcaro, professor of sociology, said he admires UNC-CH’s history of taking risks in their common reader selection.

"I get kind of jealous when I see what they’re picking and the attention they receive," he said.

And while Elon’s common reader, "Falling Leaves: The Memoir of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter" has yet to solicit any adverse media attention, it does promote knowledge of globalization and a deeper understanding of Chinese culture.

Heidi Frontani, associate professor of geography, said she wishes the common reader was "meatier," but also admired the fact that the author of "Falling Leaves," Adeline Yen Mah, donates proceeds from the sale of her book to a scholarship fund.

"The book is a good example of a responsible global citizen," Frontani said.