Reading is fundamental in high school.

It’s an absolute necessity in college.

“Reading is a large part of the academic experience in College, but in high school, students aren’t asked to do a lot of reading,” said Ann Tuttle, associate professor of management and chair of the First-Year Experience Task Force. “That isn’t the case in college, where students are often shocked to learn how much reading is required.”

To ease that shock and therefore help ease students’ transition from high school to college, the task force developed the Common Reading Program.

“This grew out of the faculty’s desire to help new students understand the importance of reading in college,” said Tuttle. “We value the importance of reading and we wanted to convey that to students through a common experience.”

Incoming freshmen will be required to read a book over the summer and be prepared to complete an assignment that will be given during the first few weeks of FYE 101 Experiential Learning, a required course.

The title of the book is To Sir, With Love, by E.R. Braithwaite.

“The themes present in this book revolve around racial prejudice, socioeconomic stereotyping, the importance of reading, the importance of cultural appreciation, the power of civility, and international differences,” explained Tuttle. “These themes will dovetail nicely with the learning goals of the FYE 101 course.”

Letters, outlining the reasons for, and goals of, the Common Reading Program, are sent to all members of the Class of 2013. Also sent is a reading guide to assist students with their first Keuka College assignment. It will also be available on the College Web site.

FYE 101 was formerly EXP 101, one of two common courses that all first-year students are required to take. The other was PE 140, which will now be listed on the books as FYE 140.

“The first academic initiative taken by the task force was to review these courses,” said Tuttle. “As a result of these two changes, new students will better understand that these courses have been designed specifically to assist them in their transition from high school to college.”

The task force’s recommendations were endorsed by the full faculty.

Members of the task force include Diane Burke (education), Linda Fleischman (registrar),  Jennifer Furner (student activities), Anne Marie Guthrie (experiential education), Kristen Harter (admissions), Carole Lillis (ASK Center), Joyce Monje (mathematics), Jeanine Santelli (associate vice president for academic programs), and Anne Weed (English).