Common Text Committee

Looking Ahead to 2025-2026

Messina, in partnership with the Office of Student Engagement and Dean of Undergraduate Studies Office, is seeking suggestions and nominations for the 2025-2026 Common Text. The books should be thought-provoking, engaging to a first-year student audience and easily applied to a range of disciplines and Messina themes (Self and Other, Stories We Tell, The Good Life and The Visionary). When reviewing books, the committee considers the following criteria:

• The topics addressed can apply to variety of themes (Messina themes) and can be welcoming to various disciplines.
• Students should be able to read the book independently over the summer (without guidance and instruction).
• The book should have a hook to engage a high school graduate (and at the same time, should avoid a redundant experience from high school).
• While no book is off limits, we should be aware of the “agenda” perception/argument – as a committee, we should be ready to defend the selection to a wide audience that includes colleagues, parents and students.

We are also seeking faculty members and administrators representing a variety of disciplines/schools, student development departments and Messina theme participation to serve on the 2025-2026 selection committee. The first Common Text Committee meeting will be scheduled for late September 2024. During the fall semester, committee members will read 3-4 of the texts under consideration and will offer feedback towards the final selection, which should take place in March 2025.

Fill out a form to suggest a book or to express interest in joining the committee.