Announcement to Campus 2009

From:     Dean Bill Loker, Undergraduate Education
Sent:      Wednesday, July 08, 2009 4:48 PM
To:          Campus
Subject:  Message for Faculty and Staff about the Book in Common

Dear Faculty and Staff:
As you know, the Book in Common for 2009-10 is The Soloist by Steve Lopez. As announced by President Zingg last April, we again plan to organize not just a campus read, but a community read, as well. Last year’s Book in Common, Three Cups of Tea, was an enormous success and we have equally high hopes for The Soloist as a campus and community read.  Once again, we are entering into partnership with Butte College, Butte County Public libraries, Chico Unified School District, local book sellers and media outlets, city and county government and other partners to promote the reading of The Soloist and discussion of the issues it raises: the plight of the homeless, the challenges of mental illness and the humanizing role of music and the arts in human life.

A team of faculty from Chico State and Butte College, along with community members, is planning an exciting and interesting series of events around the Book in Common, including a community-wide Town Hall meeting scheduled for October 14, 6:30-8:30 pm in the BMU auditorium.  See the  complete calendar of events.

This message has two goals. One, if you are a faculty member and thinking of using The Soloist in your class, I would like to hear about your plans for the book. Second, we are in the process of developing a speakers list of people with expertise on the issues raised by The Soloist. These speakers would be available to classes and community groups (book clubs and similar discussions groups) who are reading The Soloist.  If you are interested in helping raise the level of discussion of these issues in our community in this way, please contact Brooks Thorlaksson, associate dean of Humanities and Fine Arts, who has agreed to coordinate this effort. Brooks will screen requests for speakers and try to connect willing volunteers with groups interested in organizing an event with a speaker. You can reach Brooks Thorlaksson at bthorlaksson@csuchico.edu or 530-898-5351.

Thanks for your support of the Book in Common. Author Steve Lopez will be giving a public talk in Laxson Auditorium on March 23.  Please check the Book in Common Web site frequently, for updates on Book in Common events.

Dean William Loker, Undergraduate Education, for the Soloist implementation Team