The Common Read at UMass Amherst is now in its sixth year! The project is sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Life (SACL) and the Office of the Provost. (In 2012-13, the Common Read was also associated with the University’s Deans’ Theme.) Each year, incoming first-year and transfer students receive a copy of the “Common Read” at Summer New Students Orientation and are asked to read it before returning to campus in the fall. Throughout the summer and into the fall there are opportunities for incoming first-year and transfer students to engage with current staff and faculty and other incoming students surrounding their shared experience reading and processing through the book.
The shared experience is meant to:
- Introduce first-year and transfer students to the intellectual culture and engagement expectations of UMass Amherst
- Intentionally engage and connect new students with their peers, faculty, and staff immediately upon their entry into UMass Amherst
- Utilize the first eight weeks to create a sense of community and shared experience amongst first-year and transfer students, and,
- Initiate reflection and discussion amongst first-year and transfer students.
Previous Common Reads:
- 2015-16 Common Read: The True American by Anand Giridharadas
- 2014-15 Common Read: Orange Is The New Black by Piper Kerman
- 2013-14 Common Read: No Impact Man by Colin Beavan
- 2012-13 Common Read: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
- 2011-12 Common Read: A Hope in the Unseen by Ron Suskind