<p>D's school, the Univ. of Dayton, is asking all incoming freshmen to read "When the Emperor was Divine" by Julie Otsuka. I believe they are discussing it in small groups during orientation. We haven't gotten it yet, but it looks like it should be a good book. Are any other schools doing this? What book?</p>
<p>At UNC the summer reading book is Picking Cotton by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton. It looks like a great book. Students also meet in small groups to discuss the book.</p>
<p>I will be going to Ithaca College in the fall and they require all incoming freshmen to read Walden by Henry David Thoreau. They give the book to everyone during summer orientation and you have to read it but Fall Welcome.</p>
<p>Smith’s is “Half the Sky” by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn about persisting oppression of women in developing countries. I haven’t started it yet but others say that it’s tremendously moving and really makes them want to change things for the better.</p>
<p>Mizzou has assigned “Generation Me”</p>
<p>We were doing this twenty years ago in graduate business programs. Not new, so I’d guess pretty broadly employed now (as far as trendy trends go). At least then we were using the reading as a theme throughout the first semester so its unfortunate if its morphed into an orientation eercise. </p>
<p>I guess now its just boiled down to a feel-good exercise. I really don’t see the point (I mean seriously, at orientation, what is the point?). But oh well, such is marketing and making sure one school keeps up with the other in terms of what looks appealing to the constituents. </p>
<p>Apologies if this sounds snarky and cynical-- just ignore me. I am sure it’s a very good book and I hope your son enjoys it. I just get tired of the nonsense university staff people keep coming up with to satisfy parents footing the bills. It is just another schitck.</p>
<p>I actually thought it was a nice way to get kids together in small groups; an intimate way to meet other students and professors. My son will also be in a group that is being given the opportunity to meet the authors. Seems okay to me.</p>
<p>Elon’s incoming freshmen are reading “China Road: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power” by Rob Gifford.</p>
<p>Three years ago, Lafayette had incoming students reading part of John Stuart Mill’s “On Liberty.” It was so dense it was nearly unreadable. Predictably, most of them didn’t read it - at least that’s what my son said. He Sparknoted it. He said the professor for their orientation group that was supposed to discuss the book said, “I don’t know why they asked you to read this,” and they had a discussion on something else (current events or college issues or something) instead.</p>
<p>University of South Carolina is reading “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer. They gave them the book during orientation and they will all come to together a few days before school starts and talk about it in small breakout sessions. I think this is a great idea, if for no other reason than it gives the freshman class a common experience to share during their first days on campus.</p>
<p>Northeastern University (Boston) freshman will be reading Zeitoun (Dave Eggers)
[Amazon.com:</a> Zeitoun (9781934781630): Dave Eggers: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Zeitoun-Dave-Eggers/dp/1934781630]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Zeitoun-Dave-Eggers/dp/1934781630)</p>
<p>The cover art reminds me somehow of a childhood book, I think “Ping” about a duck in China.</p>
<p>Let’s start a list (arranged by college in alphabetical order). Please copy the list and add to it! These books are great classics, or for current discussions or book club ideas.</p>
<p>Elon’s freshmen will read “China Road: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power” by Rob Gifford.</p>
<p>Ithaca College requires all incoming freshmen to read Walden by Henry David Thoreau</p>
<p>Mizzou has assigned "Generation Me”.</p>
<p>Northeastern University (Boston) freshmen will be reading Zeitoun (Dave Eggers)</p>
<p>Smith’s freshmen are reading “Half the Sky” by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.</p>
<p>Univ. of Dayton, is asking freshmen to read “When the Emperor was Divine” by Julie Otsuka.</p>
<p>At UNC the summer reading book is Picking Cotton by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton.</p>
<p>University of South Carolina freshmen are reading “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer.</p>
<p>Toledo, my S has to read the same book. I think he also has another book he needs to read for Honors Program - I forget the title…was actually going to order the books this weekend!</p>
<p>At Whitman College it’s also Dave Eggers’ Zeutoun.</p>
<p>Stanford has 3 books for incoming freshmen:</p>
<ul>
<li>The Spirit Catches You by Anne Fadiman</li>
<li>Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder</li>
<li>The Undesirable Table by Joyce Carol Oates</li>
</ul>
<p>Starbright, many schools, in addition to the small group discussions, bring the author in to speak about his book and answer questions. I’m sure a lot of these schools that are listed are doing this. It’s intended to start conversation on controversial issues. Berkeley has assigned summer reading for years (and had the author come speak) but this year they’re doing the DNA testing instead. Talk about starting a conversation on a controversial issue!</p>
<p>I don’t want to link to a blog, but this is one group’s perspective on the summer book lists:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Rice incoming freshmen are reading “Work Hard. Be Nice.: How Two Inspired Teachers Created the Most Promising Schools in America”, by Jay Mathews</p>
<p>Rice posts that “The Common Reading program is the foundation of a series of exciting events throughout the fall semester, including co-volunteer activities with KIPP students, opportunities to talk with Rice alumni who teach at KIPP and other Teach for America schools, and the chance to meet and hear Mike Feinberg and Dave Levin speak when they visit campus on August 30.”</p>
<p>I just want to note that the Stanford books are not REQUIRED. All of the authors will join the freshman at orientation.</p>
<p>Great idea to make a list, limabeans!</p>
<p>Elon “China Road: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power” by Rob Gifford.</p>
<p>Ithaca College “Walden” by Henry David Thoreau</p>
<p>Mizzou "Generation Me”.</p>
<p>Northeastern University “Zeitoun” by Dave Eggers</p>
<p>Rice Univ. “Work Hard. Be Nice.: How Two Inspired Teachers Created the Most Promising Schools in America”, by Jay Mathews</p>
<p>Smith “Half the Sky” by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.</p>
<p>Stanford “The Spirit Catches You” by Anne Fadiman
" Strength in What Remains" by Tracy Kidder
“The Undesirable Table” by Joyce Carol Oates </p>
<p>Univ. of Dayton “When the Emperor was Divine” by Julie Otsuka.</p>
<p>UNC “Picking Cotton” by Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton.</p>
<p>University of South Carolina “Into the Wild” by Jon Krakauer. </p>
<p>Whitman College “Zeitoun” by Dave Eggers</p>
<p>Dartmouth
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, by Charles Mann.</p>