Student Advisory Board

The SAB works alongside English students and faculty to host academic and social events within the department. Here are a few of our student-orchestrated events.

The Holiday Book Swap

Each December, just before the term ends, the English Department hosts a holiday book swap on the first floor of our beautiful Victorian building. Students and faculty gather to wrap and swap books and enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies to decompress before finals.

 

“Festivus”

Twenty years ago, the SAB put together the first “Festivus,” which has become a beloved English Department tradition ever since. A few months into each semester, students are invited to celebrate “Festivus” alongside their professors and learn more about the course offerings for the next semester, as well major/minor requirements, certificates, and the thesis track. Sweet treats and pizza are staples of this event.

 

Tea with Professors

Another favorite tradition is Tea with Professors, a relaxed, student-centered gathering where professors share a short talk about a research topic they are currently exploring. Afterward, students have plenty of time to ask questions, continue the conversation, and get to know one another in an informal setting.

Over tea (hot or iced) and plenty of cookies and cupcakes, students can hear about everything from literary scholarship to cultural history and emerging research in the field. Recently revived by the SAB, Tea with Professors continues to be a welcoming space for curiosity, conversation, and—of course—cookies.