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Dear Colleagues:

Over the last several weeks, many of you have indicated a willingness, even an eagerness, to support the 2018-19 academic year first-year experience. We are grateful for your participation and leadership in creating a more diverse and inclusive campus community.

As noted in the last week, all first-year and transfer students arriving this fall will participate in a shared first-year experience. The experience will include three key components:
• first-year and introductory courses within each school/college;
• a shared reading and discussion group experience; and
• health and wellness activities.

As part of this experience, our incoming students will read Trevor Noah’s memoir, “Born a Crime,” and participate in a small group discussion centered on themes in the book. Both a and will lead the five-week, 90-minute group discussions. Additionally, those with prior experience facilitating dialogues or small group discussions will serve as to support and train peer and lead facilitators.

As co-chairs of the First-Year Experience Initiative, we are reaching out to invite you to be a part of this important effort, especially as discussion group facilitators. A few things you should know:
• All facilitators will be compensated ($25 an hour; anticipated 50 hours total) and receive a free copy of the book, training and necessary materials.
• Facilitator training is offered throughout the summer, and discussion sessions are planned to take place in the residence halls during evenings and on Friday afternoons during September and October.
• The deadline to apply to be a facilitator is Monday, July 9. We thank those of you who have already applied and look forward to receiving additional applications.
• To apply, please visit the and/or the .

We hope you will consider being a part of this valuable community development opportunity as we collectively seek to engage our students in exploration of and dialogue around identity, community, diversity, inclusion, health and wellness.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Amanda Nicholson and Kira Reed

Amanda G. Nicholson, Ph.D.
Assistant Provost & Dean of Student Success
Enrollment and the Student Experience

315.443.3772
agnichol@syr.edu

Kira Kristal Reed
Provost Faculty Fellow and Associate Professor
Management Department

315.443.3391
kireed@syr.edu