University of Washington Freshman Orientation 2012: Common Books

Our middle child begins college this fall. A two-day orientation for incoming freshmen at the University of Washington is mandatory for class registration. Parent orientation on the second day was optional. I was a curious parent so I went. After a brief introduction first thing in the morning that Tuesday at 8 AM, the day’s facilitator holds up a book titled “Respect: An Exploration” and says, “If your student came home with this book last night, then you know he or she stayed for the entire first day of orientation.” I jotted down the title.

Several days later I saw the book on my son’s desk. I was pleased. At least I knew that he hadn’t skipped out early on that first day’s events. But it was obvious that he hadn’t cracked the cover. I took the book and began reading.

“Respect: An Exploration” examines the single most powerful ingredient in any relationship. Respect is something we all seek and give. It inspires us to think beyond ourselves, invites us to examine who we are, and opens us to new ideas and relationships. The story examines the lives of six ordinary but remarkable people.

Several days later in town, I ran into one of my son’s friends who will be attending the UW also and asked if he’d opened the book. “Nope, but my dad picked it up and is reading,” the friend responded. I began to wonder how many parents versus incoming freshmen were reading this common book.

I needed to know more. After several transfers through the University of Washington call system, I discovered that for the past seven years the school has welcomed all incoming freshmen with one book that speaks to the tradition of discovery and transformation. That book is referred to as the Common Book. I got the list of Common Books distributed over the past seven years. I plan to read all seven.

Here’s the list. I invite you to read one. Read the next. Then read another.

COMMON BOOKS

University of Washington

2007-2008 Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate by Elizabeth Kolbert

2008-2009 The Devil’s Highway: A True Story by Luis Alberto Urrea

2009-2010 Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama

2010-2011 You Are Never Where You Are: A Collection of Poetry by UW Common Book

2011-2012 The Meaning of It All: Thoughts of a Citizen- Scientist by Richard P. Feyman

2012-2013 Respect: An Exploration by Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot

For more information visit the UW Common Book on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/UWCommonBook

 

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