Editorial
Wednesday, April 23, 2014 • page 8
Common reading provides common bond
The Common Reading program at
Elon University has come a long way
since its inception in 1992. Starting with
the simple goal of nurturing a richer
intellectual community, the program has
become much more than students’ first
official college reading assignment.
College is a major transition for
freshmen. Although the entire freshman
class shares the common bond of
being part of the Elon community, the
Common Reading Program brings
the class together through the shared
experience of having read the same book.
The bond created shows not only that
there is a true community on this campus
but also that the Elon community is
one that cares about the world around
it. Almost all the books the committee
chooses are set in a place far different
from Elon. This opens students’ minds
to the world around them and stimulates
critical thinking about their places in the
world.
The Common Reading Committee
is entrusted with the task of selecting
the book for the coming year. Instead
of having a committee of professors
from one department, the committee is
made up of professors, students and staff
from across campus. This setup ensures
the book they select will stimulate
meaningful, intellectual conversation
throughout Elon’s campus.
The books selected by the committee
are intended to encourage critical
thinking that would not arise from casual
on-campus interactions. As freshmen
learn more about their newfound
independence as college students, the
chosen books seek to challenge students
to consider how their individual actions
affect the world around them.
The selection process starts two years
before the book is assigned. Although
anyone in the Elon community can
submit an idea, the final decision is
made by the committee. This decision is
important because freshman academic
programs are often based on the selected
book.
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It should be mandatory that common
reading selections be incorporated into
the “Global Experience.” As “Global”
classes vary depending on the instructor
of the class, the common reading should
be a binding component of the first-year
experience.
Hie Letter to the Editor from April
16 regarding “Lasting effects: sexual
assault on college campuses” included
an incorrect link.This is the current link:
www.elonpendulum. com/2014/04/
Ictter-to-the-editor-a-response-to-
lasting-effects-sexual-assault-on-
college-campuses/
CAROLINE OLNEYI Photo Editor
‘Little Princes” by William Kamkwamba was selected as the common reading for the Class of 2017.