Faculty, Staff, and Students Get Academically
Incorrect
The first installment of the “Academically
Incorrect” series, sponsored by the Office of Student Activities and
Campus Centers (OASCC), drew an enthusiastic crowd of faculty, staff,
and students to Mather Dining Hall on November 19. Modeled on the
sometimes controversial “Politically Incorrect” television program,
the forum offers members of the campus community the opportunity to
exchange ideas and learn about topical issues. The OASCC is planning
to offer monthly sessions, each on a specific subject of interest,
designed to foster intellectual engagement and interaction.
The initial session was titled “The War in Iraq:
Is it over? Who won?” Panelists included Associate Professor of
International Studies Michael Niemann, Adjunct Professor of Public
Policy Ned Cabot, Student Government Association President Cyriac
George, and Resident Adviser Norja Cunningham. Michael Heaney,
visiting lecturer in legal studies, moderated the lunchtime event.
With more than 60 people in attendance, the
discussion prompted a wide variety of opinions from both audience
members and panelists that ranged from cautious optimism to strong
opposition. “This was just the first part of what will be an ongoing
campus dialogue,” notes Joanne Rafferty, program coordinator for
alternative programs. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the turnout.”
The interactions consisted of requests for information, questions to
specific panelists, and statements that reflected the opinions of the
questioner.
“The format worked pretty well,” explains
Professor Niemann. “A fair number of students wandered in with their
lunch trays and stayed for the duration. It was a useful event, in
part because the news has become a steady daily drum beat with little
or no analysis, and the panel made it possible for students to get a
more analytical perspective.”
The next session of “Academically Incorrect” will
take place at the beginning of the spring semester. Anyone with ideas
for future topics of discussion should contact Rafferty at (860)
297-2171 or
joanne.rafferty@trincoll.edu.
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