51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Common Read
The Common Read program gives incoming first-year students a shared experience for meaningful discussions and community connections.
About the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Common Read Program
The Common Read program provides incoming first-year students a shared experience for meaningful discussions related to joining the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ community. This is one opportunity for new students to support success at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, and the program is open to new students, families, and campus community members connecting with our newest Rebels.
Program Goals
The Common Read is designed to enrich our students’ college experience by:
- Encouraging students to share common experiences with their community and engage with diverse perspectives
- Broadening their worldview through finding common ground with others and gaining new knowledge
- Encouraging critical thinking about the world around them
- Creating a shared experience among students that will foster stimulating academic experiences and personal connections
Ultimately, immersing students in this engaging program will help them feel connected and inspired, thus improving retention, persistence, and growth on academic and personal levels.
"The Common Read program ignites a shared experience and conversation that transcends disciplines and unites our diverse community in a journey of exploration. Through this program, we cultivate critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the world, preparing our students to excel at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and beyond!"Jenna Heath
Director of Student & Community Engagement, College of Liberal Arts
The 2024-25 Common Read Book Selection
This year, we invite students, family members, and the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ community to participate in the Common Read by reading . This selection is a compilation of stories centered around transformative growing experiences and lessons from each author. A Point of Beauty was published by The Moth, a non-profit that partners with communities to host workshops that inspire self reflection and offer space for community members to connect more deeply.
The newly selected read supports, in a student centered approach, an overarching theme of storytelling, celebrating the beauty of life, and building connections - the foundation from which our first year students can and will be successful at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.
Support and Resources
This year’s Common Read selection may contain content that readers could potentially find triggering and/or troubling. We recognize that experiencing emotions is a part of being human, and coping strategies like self-care and social support help build resilience to intense emotions. Please refer to the following resources as you read and connect with the short stories in the Rebel Common Read.
- Set up a routine that includes academics, self-care, exercise, and socializing
- Take care of your body by eating well-balanced meals, drinking plenty of water, and limiting excessive intake of caffeine and other substances
- Take breaks. Get enough sleep, take a break between classes/homework, and step away from screens for a few minutes several times in the day
- Connect with others. Make an effort to make friends, join a campus club, go to a campus event, and connect with loved ones frequently.
- Use resources and familiarize yourself with the academic, wellness, and social resources available for you to use at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.
At 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, there are various mental health resources available to students, faculty, and staff. This includes the following:
- Center for Individual, Couple & Family Counseling (CICFC)
- Student Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Practice
For social support, we recommend connecting with your peer mentors, visiting The Intersection, or finding community within a Registered Student Organization.
To view a comprehensive list of all 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ student resources, visit the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Students webpage.
Mental Health Resources
LGBTQIA+ Resources
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Resources
Get Involved
Information for Students
The book selection for the Common Read is available free of charge to incoming first-year students. Students who would like to pursue an accommodation request related to the Common Read may contact the Disability Resource Center for more information.
To participate in the program, follow these steps:
Receive your copy of the book during Rebel Ready Week. Extra copies of the selection will be available at the Lied Library front desk to borrow as needed while on campus. For students who may need an e-copy of the Common Read for accommodation purposes or if a fully online student, please contact the FYE Team.
Attend a Common Read preview event in the to learn more about the Common Read and meet other new students and 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ faculty and staff.
Peer Mentor Check-Ins
You and your peer mentor can use A Point of Beauty as a platform to facilitate discussions on themes like relationships and self discovery. We encourage you to relate the book’s narratives to your own experiences to set your personal goals and foster growth. Mentors may also organize group book discussions to create a sense of community among mentees, foster connections, and share learning experiences.
Seminar Courses
Attend and join discussion about the Common Read in select First Year Seminar (FYS) classes and/or other courses in your first year.
Discussion Boards
Participate in discussions in the FYE Webcampus discussion board to connect with other new students about the Common Read.
FYE Connection Award
Participate in scheduled events and anytime experiences in the Fall FYE Connection Award success menu focused on the Common Read.
Social Media Updates
Interact and check out Common Read updates on the and .
Information for Parents/Families
Parents/families will have the opportunity to learn more about the Common Read during the FYE presentation at New Student Orientation, in a session at Rebel Ready Week in August, and by joining the . Parents/families will have an opportunity to win a copy of the Common Read book at Rebel Ready Week in August.
As the school year progresses, we encourage parents/families to ask their student(s) about how they are using the Common Read in class, at events on campus, in the FYE Webcampus online discussion boards, and more.
Information for Faculty & Staff
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ faculty and staff have the opportunity to use the Common Read for curricular or co-curricular use. The Library Services is a great resource to gather information about the Common Read and resources available to faculty and staff. Contact the FYE Team for specific questions related to implementation and utilization in your area.