Kent State University 2013 Common Reading Book Announced

The Common Reading Committee and the Office of Student success Programs is pleased to announce the selection of this year's Kent State Common Reading book Who Owns the Ice House? by Clifton Taulbert and Gary Schoeniger.

Who Owns the Ice House? is a true story that takes place in the Mississippi Delta at the height of legal segregation. This was a time when opportunities for African-Americans were limited by cultural and legal constraints that were beyond their control. For most, it was a time and place where opportunities seemed out of reach. Yet, and ordinary man named Uncle Cleve stood out as someone who defied convention and triumphed over adversity as an entrepreneur.

Who Owns the Ice House? highlights eight life-lessons Uncle Cleve passed along to his young nephew, Clifton Taulbert. Drawing on the wisdom he gained from his Uncle Cleve, the book chronicles author Taubert's journey to be as what Time Magazine referred to as "one of our nation's most outstanding entrepreneurs". While Taulbert describes the life-changing influences of his Uncle Cleve, Schoeniger captures the entrepreneurial life lessons that can empower anyone to succeed.

For more information regarding Who Owns the  Ice House?, please visit http://whoownstheicehouse.com

The  Common Reading Program is designed to welcome and connect you to the Kent State community. It is our hope that reading the book will provide common ground for you to share with their peers and offer inspiration to begin their college career with a strong academic beginning. The objectives of the program are…

• To help you get acclimated to the academic life of the university.
• To provide you with an understanding of the university values, principles, and standards.
• To help you to build and maintain relationships that foster success with peers, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members.

All new students will discuss the book with faculty, staff or community members on August 23rd, 2013 during Destination Kent State: Welcome Weekend. The program, as a whole, will build a supportive and encouraging atmosphere that will ease the transition to university life. This book will be available for purchase at the University Bookstore.

The Common Reading Assignment

 The Common Reading discussion is a great way for students to practice being an active participant in a college classroom. Below are questions that will help you to participate in the discussion. Please answer the questions on a separate piece of paper (typed) and bring it with you to the required book discussion on Friday, August 23rd from 2:00pm-3:00pm.

1. What did you find to be some key themes in this book? (Please list and describe at least 4)
2. What opportunities do you think your experience ant Kent State University will provide you? How do you plan to utilize those opportunities to achieve your goals?
3. What challenges do you think you will need to overcome to be successful academically in college? What themes from this book may help you to overcome these challenges? Why?
4. Who's story did you enjoy reading the most? (Uncle Cleve, Clifton, or Gary) What was it about their perspective did you find intriguing?
5. Please write a discussion question that you would pose to your discussion group.

Common Reading FAQ's

Who Participates in the Common Reading Discussion?
All new incoming freshman students will participate.

Where will the Common Reading Discussion take place?
You will be notified of your Common Reading Discussion location when you check in for Welcome Weekend. Students will meet with their First Year Experience (FYE) class as their assigned group for the discussion. You will NOT be in your regularly scheduled FYE course location. 

Is the book for a class?
This experience is intended as an academic component for Welcome Weekend and the book is not tied to a specific class. Some FYE Instructors and other course instructors adopt the book for their course for the semester. It is not an expectation of FYE faculty members to adopt the book. It is not an expectation of FYE instructors to adopt the book as part of the class. There is a course at KSU that is centered around Who Owns the Ice House offered through the College of Business.

Do my assignment responses need to be typed?
Yes, please type your responses to the questions. Be sure to include your name on the page.

How long domy responses need to be?
You should provide a minimum of 3 sentences per question. Some questions may require a list with explanation.

Will I be turning in my assignment questions?
You will be utilizing your answers to the questions during the Common Reading Discussion. It is also possible that you may be asked to turn in your responses to your discussion leader or FYE instructor. 

Note on Cheating and Plagiarism
Students should submit their own work for this assignment. According to the University Cheating and Plagiarism Policy: Students enrolled in the university, at all its campuses, are to perform their academic work according to standards set by faculty members, departments, schools and colleges of the university.  When quoting or paraphrasing, a citation should be provided. Please consult the policy for cheating and plagiarism for reference: http://www.kent.edu/policyreg/policydetails.cfm?customel_datapageid_1976529=2037779

For questions related to the Common Reading Discussion or assignment, please e-mail newatksu@kent.edu

Common Reading Program Seeks Discussion Leaders

The Common Reading Program is currently seeking 200 faculty, staff and alumni to facilitate book discussions during Destination Kent State: Welcome Weekend. The Common Reading Program will involve a one hour discussion on Friday, August 23, 2013 from 2:00pm-3:00pm. Prior to the actual discussion, discussion leaders will be provided with a copy of the book, a training session, and discussion materials.  There will be several training sessions that will be held throughout the summer for new and returning discussion leaders. 

Click here to
sign up to be a Common Reading Discussion Leader for Welcome Weekend 2013

 Faculty, staff and alumni interested in serving as discussion leaders can sign up by clicking the button above. The sign-up deadline is Friday, July 19th, 2013.