Realities of the Semester Start

Each semester begins with a mix of ease and stumbles. The stumble this semester originated in the bookstore.

One of my students sent an email the week before the first class asking whether it was okay to use the book on the bookstore shelves, despite it not being the same as the one on the course syllabus.  Needless to say, I was perplexed. After a few email exchanges with the bookstore, I learned that they had substituted a newer book for the text that I had ordered which was no longer in print.  The stumble was that the bookstore never notified me of this. An obvious communication failure.

Not so many years ago, this mix up would have only had one resolution-buy what was on the bookstore shelf. Now, students can get old books from a variety of online sources.  While having that option is wonderful, it also left me with no way to know how many students had gone online for the older book versus how many had purchased the newer textbook at the bookstore. In short, I was stumped by the technology, the ready access to a host of resources and no means to anticipate. 

What are the possible lessons?   

    1)  Don’t assume that a textbook stays in print.

    2)  Don’t assume that the bookstore is prefect in its functioning.

    3)  At least one student will point out the failings and problems.

    4)  Being flexible remains a good approach.

During the first class, I addressed the problem and hopefully calmed fears that both would work, albeit slightly differently.  I did not hear any complaining. I think they were mostly glad that not to have to buy a different book.

Semester Ready

Friday the SPH building will be full with new students, faculty and some current students. All attending the orientation. The orientation blends ritual with a tiny element of infomercial and blind dating. This year our division has so many incoming students that we no longer fit in the larger of the classrooms; the gathering of new students and faculty will, instead, be in the auditorium. Far less personal than preferred, but we also won't complain about having so many students. The numbers are a testimony to the current popularity of public health.

As I have more and more academic cycles behind me, the newness of the year is hard to generate. What is new for these incoming students is what we faculty have been working to improve for years. What is unknown to these students, we see as the beginning of a recognizable pattern.

One big thing remains impossible to predict as the students introduce themselves--who will whiz through without difficulty or challenging situations and who will falter, linger and fade unfinished. Naturally, we hope that we have admitted only students fitting into the first category. But, as I review and add to my advisee list, a few names have been there too long. These students, yeas ago at orientation, were also filled with expectations and hope for a public health career.

Hope, enthusiastic expectations, energetic commitment and excitement.... may the entire academic year be infused with these delightful qualities that fill the day of orientation.