Student
Life Task Force on the Freshman Commons
David
Wasserstein, Student Life committee, chair
Monica Casper, A&S, external
member
Peter Cummings, Student Life committee
Jonathan Hiskey, A&S, external member
John Lachs, Student Life committee
Melanie Lowe, Blair, external member
Task Force
Charge
Introduction:
Recently Chancellor Gee has announced the formation of several university-wide
committees—under the direction of Provost and Vice Chancellor for
Academic Affairs Nick Zeppos and Vice Chancellor for Student Life and
University Affairs David Williams—to explore ways to enhance an
integrated and balanced approach to the total learning environment at
Vanderbilt. Specifically, he states: “As we approach the opening
of The Commons and College Halls in 2008, there needs to be a strong
alignment of structure, resources, and philosophy so we can effectively
continue to create the diverse and vibrant intellectual and social community
essential for the success of future generations of Vanderbilt students.”
His initiative is aimed at defining and articulating “the values
by which this intellectual and social engagement will be guided.”
This laudable goal is achievable
through partnership with faculty, administrators and students. The purpose
of this special committee is to formalize a mechanism whereby the Faculty
Senate has a voice in ongoing and future discussions about best strategies
for organizing and promoting a new and broader intellectual landscape
at Vanderbilt. The signs for achieving concrete results are propitious.
Chancellor Gee and Provost Zeppos have strongly encouraged Senate to
adopt a proactive stance.
Charge: The general
charge to the Task Force during the 2006 spring term is first to consult
with students and administrators on their thinking about best strategies
for transforming the social, moral, and intellectual landscape in the
coming years. Secondly, the Task Force on the Commons will seek to define
the specific, practical roles that faculty can assume outside the classroom,
library, and laboratory—yet in conjunction with them—to enhance
the climate of inquisitiveness and thoughtfulness. Thirdly, the Task
Force will identify a range of activities for the 2006 fall term to
refine practical and productive strategies. This might take the form
of a mini-seminar for select faculty, students, and administrators during
the fall term to test ideas and produce a white paper for future use.
Final
report
