Convocation series proposed

Author: Anthony Adragna

The College administration hopes to begin a campus-wide convocation series, as outlined in the College's Strategic Plan, in early spring 2007. The goal of the series would be to promote more discussion of important issues within the College community.

Proposed as a way to bring the College community together for discussion about a range of issues, the series would include several lectures or panel discussions.

"With luck, I am hopeful we can begin this program in the spring," said Dean of the College Tim Spears. "Right now, Thursday at noontime looks like the best possible time [for the presentations]."

Spears acknowledged several obstacles in putting the program together. "There are two practical challenges," he said. "One has to do with venue, and the other with schedule. We will probably schedule these convocation gatherings, at least the main event, in Mead Chapel and arrange for simulcasts in Dana. The other challenge has to do with the fact that we are a very busy campus, and it is very difficult to find a time that is not already scheduled."

No speakers have been scheduled as of yet, but College officials know the type of speaker they wish to attract.

"The goal is to develop events that will have broad appeal," Spears said. "Although some convocations may feature a visiting speaker, others might involve panel discussions on key topics or artistic performances that involve people within the broader campus community. As we move forward with planning for this convocation series, we will likely take a fairly flexible approach in order to determine what sort of programming works best."

Spears hopes to establish a committee of faculty, students and administrators to assist him in developing the series.

"I am in the process of pulling together a planning and implementation committee, which will include student, staff and faculty representatives, approximately two individuals from each group," Spears said. "I am sure we will discuss how best to involve students and other community members in planning for these convocations events."

Secretary of the College John Emerson said the convocation events would increase energy among the student, faculty and staff communities. "We know from past experiences that such programs generate a sense of excitement, interest and conversations across various sectors of the community," said Emerson. "The upcoming visit by Chief Justice Roberts is currently doing that."

Members of the College community first considered the idea of a convocation series in 2005. The convocation series will strive to satisify members of the community who have voiced a desire for more programming in the past, according to Emerson. "Over the years, there have been faculty and staff members who have wanted more events with a substantive focus that would involve the broad College community," he said. "Successful examples from the past few years have included lectures by Elie Wiesel, Robert Putnam and Governor Jim Douglas."

Emerson believes the series would bring the College together for discussion on issues of great importance to everyone. "It would be the basis for discourse throughout the community that crosses the boundaries of courses and disciplines," he said.

Some students said that a new series of speakers would encourage students to get involved with issues on campus.

"I think it would be beneficial around here because having someone with a big name generates more interest in topics that people tend to be indifferent about because they are not brought to the forefront of their lives," said James O'Brien '10.

Others support the program because it would increase education among students on issues they don't currently understand.

"Sounds like a good idea to me," said Derek Sakamoto '10. "The idea of having famous people that are well known discuss an issue that they're an expert in would be a great opportunity to learn more. It's just like John Roberts coming."

Spears stressed that the convocation series could provide for exciting dialogue in residential communities as well as in academic forums.

"One of the more intriguing suggestions in the Strategic Plan speaks to involving the Commons in follow-up discussions of key issues and themes raised at all-campus convocation events," said Spears. "So, for instance, if someone like Bill McKibben spoke in Mead Chapel about how to address global warming issues in our daily lives, after his talk, we could hold small-group discussions of this issue in each of the Commons. This would be a way of giving the convocation program a life beyond the large-scale venue of a Mead Chapel or Dana Auditorium."