Common Reading Selection Process
The selection process for the 2011-2012 Common Reading was developed by the First-Year Experience Taskforce in November 2007. Fliers and e-mails were sent in the fall of 2010 to all faculty, staff and students to solicit suggestions for a new Common Reading. Over 100 suggestions were received, all of which were analyzed based on criteria of appeal, cost, length and availability. The number of books was then narrowed to approximately 20, and these books were read by members of the taskforce over Winter Break. In January, the taskforce, joined by student representative Michael Fox, discussed and reanalyzed the list, narrowing the number down to five semi-final selections. During the months of February and March, all Shepherd University students, faculty and staff were encouraged to vote for their first choice via the Shepherd website.
This I Believe edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman received the most votes, becoming the official Shepherd University Common Reading for the 2011-2012 academic year.