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Dear Colleagues and Friends,
As you may know, the theme for UConn Reads 2020-2021 is "Environmental Justice and Human Rights," and the focal book for associated programming is "The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable" by Amitav Ghosh (University of Chicago Press). Books are currently available for loan at the UConn Library and for purchase through the UConn Bookstore - here<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fuconn.bncollege.com%2Fwebapp%2Fwcs%2Fstores%2Fservlet%2FBNCBTBListView%3FcatalogId%3D10001%26langId%3D-1%26storeId%3D88191%26SECTION%3D99617133%26cm_mmc%3Demail-_-faculty-_-enlight-_-spring2021&data=04%7C01%7CUCONN_UNDERGRADUATE_STUDENTS-L%40LISTSERV.UCONN.EDU%7Cb70808bda82a42e0756c08d8b639dac4%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C637459706879465866%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=ML56RAPDTQAkrE%2BSpLXk74W7rfjNeh2Gg1z88rPiZZY%3D&reserved=0>.
I am happy to report that the UConn Reads Steering Committee has been working diligently to develop programming surrounding the theme and the book, the highlights of which I report hereafter (with additional information to follow, early in the spring semester).
We are pleased to announce that the author, Amitav Ghosh, has accepted our invitation to engage with the UConn community. We will host Dr. Ghosh through a series of virtual events on April 22 and 23. That week will also mark the Anniversary of Earth Day. Author events will include:
* Forum and Panel Discussion - This is the program's main event! Dr. Ghosh will be joined by experts from multiple disciplines to discuss climate change and The Great Derangement (co-sponsored by the Teale Nature and the Environment Lecture Series);
* Dialogues - Group conversations about the book and related works;
* Thematic Discussions
* Climate Change and Public Health
* Restoring the Earth
Join us for the kick-off event "The Future of Climate and Environmental Policy" with Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, Jan. 21, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. This virtual event is co-sponsored by the Center for Energy & Environmental Law and UConn Reads. More details about the event will be published in the Daily Digest and the UConn Reads calendar.
In close collaboration with CETL, we are developing a spring semester pop-up course tentatively titled "Climate Change: Take Action!" with a free 1-credit version for undergraduate and graduate students, and a non-credit version for faculty and staff members.
Another collaborator on this year's program will be the UConn Humanities Institute (UCHI). At present, they are developing events focused on the topic of Truth and Climate Change, as part of the Institute's "Future of Truth" project.
Finally, we are excited to announce a Call for Proposals<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fuconnreads.uconn.edu%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F720%2F2021%2F01%2FCall-for-Proposals_Linked-Submission-Form.pdf&data=04%7C01%7CUCONN_UNDERGRADUATE_STUDENTS-L%40LISTSERV.UCONN.EDU%7Cb70808bda82a42e0756c08d8b639dac4%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C637459706879475856%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=qbkEe0Xeu16QIOYFuoEezITZMfMT%2FFbgBMdPLECm0l4%3D&reserved=0> that offers students, staff members, and faculty members the opportunity to develop independent programming related to this year's theme or Dr. Ghosh's book. In some cases, funding in the form of a mini-grant will be awarded. Programming ideas are listed below:
1. Organize a Book Reading and Discussion Group: Organize a virtual book club, brownbag lunch, or class discussion (e.g., with students in your class or department, members of student organizations, staff members, residence hall students, or alumni groups).
2. Invent Your Own Solutions to Environmental Problems Related to Themes of UConn Reads 2020-2021: Some of the best ideas or inventions will likely be born organically from a group process and fueled by the compelling stories featured in Ghosh's book. Whatever creative idea for contributing to the UConn Reads effort your constituency can develop is likely to be successful!
3. Promote a "Challenge": Within your organization, how many students or faculty members or staff members will engage in a Call to Action? This is a great intra- or inter-group challenge. Design a challenge related to the themes of UConn Reads 2020-2021 that your organization (e.g., residence hall, learning community, or department) can tackle.
4. Plan a Creative Fundraiser: Select a fundraising effort that would benefit a local or global initiative that relates to issues that are highlighted in the book and associated programming.
5. Sponsor Films, Panel Discussions, or Educational Events: Organize an event to engage the community in a discussion to raise awareness about issues related to environmental justice and human rights.
I also encourage you to visit the UConn Reads website uconnreads.uconn.edu<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fuconnreads.uconn.edu%2F&data=04%7C01%7CUCONN_UNDERGRADUATE_STUDENTS-L%40LISTSERV.UCONN.EDU%7Cb70808bda82a42e0756c08d8b639dac4%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C637459706879485852%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Msj1nSKXR1MRwJAa%2B%2FtpgOvn%2B7jjqxmkcf5fmoX2%2Bo4%3D&reserved=0> throughout the semester, for information about our evolving programming and associated events.
If you have any questions or suggestions related to the program or information outlined in this letter, please contact: [log in to unmask]<file:///C:[log in to unmask]>.
In closing, you are all a critical part of the success of the UConn Reads program, thank you in advance for your participation and collaboration.
Onward and Upward!
Mike
[Willig - blue]
Michael R. Willig
Chair, UConn Reads Steering Committee
Executive Director, Institute of the Environment
Director, Center for Environmental Sciences & Engineering
Professor, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Office of the Provost
Gulley Hall, Unit 1086
STORRS, CT 06269-1086
Phone: 860.486.4037
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