Lunch with the Professor

"Studies of college teaching support the view that the frequency and quality of teachers' contact with students, inside and outside the classroom, affect students' involvement in their own learning. Positive teacher-student relations have been linked to students' satisfaction with college, their educational aspirations, and their academic achievement. And when students perceive their teachers as partners in the educational process, they are more likely to take on new and difficult tasks." -Neal A. Whitman

The Office of Student Life and Center for Learning and Teaching Excellence are co-sponsoring a program titled “Lunch with the Professor.” The program pairs small groups of students (8-12) with one or two faculty members in selected locations throughout campus to discuss important aspects of student life or current events. Each “lunch” should last 30-45 minutes, and Student Life will provide pizza during each session.

The objective of this program is to pair faculty and students in an informal setting that will help foster communication that extends into the classroom. This program is an excellent opportunity for faculty and students to learn more about each other. This is also a “college service” opportunity for faculty.

Faculty members are encouraged to choose topics they think will be of interest to students and coordinate their “lunch” locations and schedules with either Chris Justice (ext. 4972) or Peter Law (ext. 4322).

Ideal locations include:

- The Barn

- The Q lounge

- Cafeteria

- J-H-E lounges

- Center for Learning and Teaching Excellence (E-203)

Suggestions for conducting a successful “lunch”:

- Sketch a brief outline of your subject

- Address several angles or perspectives about your topic

- Write a list of questions to help guide your discussion

- Encourage students to share both positive and negative experiences

- Allow students to answer each other

Suggested topics include:

- Civility in the classroom

- The 2004 Vote

- Using office hours to your advantage

- Athletes and steroids

Faculty interested in extending their sessions into classroom activities that include guest speakers may be eligible for a mini-grant administered through the Office of Student Life’s Guest Artist Committee. For more information, contact Chris Justice at ext. 4972 or Peter Law at ext. 4322.