The One Book One Northwestern program tried to get Northwestern's newest students to start their learning experience before they even set foot on campus.
Over the summer, incoming undergraduate students were sent copies of "The Reluctant Mr. Darwin," David Quammen's book on the life and work of Charles Darwin.
The program aims to unite the entire campus in conversation about the novel and get new students involved before the start of school.
While some students dived right in, others never even looked past the cover.
The level of involvement varied among members of the class of 2012, with some participating in conversations over the summer on a Blackboard discussion board.
Other students, including Communication freshman Gabe Brotman, were less enthusiastic about cutting their summers short. Brotman said he skimmed the book but did not participate in the on-line discussion.
"I think it's a good concept, but I don't know how practical it is," Brotman said. "Most people aren't ready to start off freshman year with a book that's not immediately useful to their academic career."
But Brotman said he plans to attend some of the lectures and exhibits organized around the book.
Events run from October into February, culminating with a keynote address by the author and a celebration of Darwin's 200th birthday on Feb. 12.
Dr. Teresa Horton, chairwoman of the One Book project, said the staff hoped to have greater student involvement in the discussion and events than it had in past years by inviting guest lecturers to meet with student groups and speak to classes.
The group also recruited 25 upperclassmen to act as Darwin Scholars, who led the discussions on Blackboard and will assist in conversations and firesides with student groups and residence halls.
"I like the idea of trying to get the freshmen involved before they're even on campus," said Laura Ryals, one of the Darwin Scholars.
Ryals is a fifth-year senior participating in the One Book project for the first time this year.
"They didn't have it my freshman year and I think I would have liked it," Ryals said. "My impression is that it would be a nice thing to start talking before you even get on campus, to feel like you're already involved before you get to Evanston."
The program appears to be gaining ground, Horton said. Now in its third year as a university-wide project, Horton says faculty members and upperclassmen who had not heard about the program in previous years are now interested in reading the book.
However, some students said they resented the addition of yet another book to their workload.
"I think they should get rid of it," Cassandra Kapp said. "There's no point if they're not going to make it a requirement, and they shouldn't pretend that it is."
Kapp, a Medill sophomore, said she read last year's book, "Go Tell it on the Mountain," but did not attend any of the events or participate in the program this year.
"They trick freshmen into thinking it's a bigger deal than it really is," Kapp said.
e.wray@northwestern.edu
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