So, I'm sitting here at the university, surrounded by a buffet and empty space. We're hosting a Saturday University: a series of interesting talks designed to attract part-time students to think about taking on a BA in Humanities. It's a fascinating course, designed to tease out the deeper questions about our philosophical and cultural activities.
The day is exactly the kind of thing we should be doing: reaching out to the community in new ways, providing stimulating and challenging opportunities to people who might not otherwise get a chance.
Why aren't they here? Who knows? We blanketed local radio and other outlets with publicity. We reached out to local groups. Perhaps it's us, perhaps it's the time of year, Christmas shopping, local difficulties. Or perhaps it's symptomatic of a wider cultural malaise. I just don't know.
What to do for the rest of the day? I intend to get naked and take a run through the sacred groves of academe (i.e. the corridors).
which corridors exactly?
ReplyDeleteThey'll be pouring through the doors now!
ReplyDeleteIf only I'd known about the buffet, Vole, I'd have popped in instead of trudging over to Gregg's. The staff in Gregg's, I noticed, were fully clothed.
ReplyDeleteAidan ended up giving a brilliant lecture on Literature and the West Midlands to a very select few including me.If he was naked the lecture was so interesting that I didn't notice.
ReplyDeleteWell Zoot we have him for a lecture on Monday so I will be very interested to check out his attire then.
ReplyDeletePerhaps naked lectures are the way to go?
See Vole. Tightly argued, passionate critiques of pressing political and cultural issues will get you the odd one or two replies. Mention getting naked, and we're here in force. Don't give up the taster lectures though, which I think are a great idea. Perhaps run them on uni open days? Or at least during the week rather than a Saturday?
ReplyDeleteWell, the attraction of a weekend - apart from the obvious draw of me in the buff - was to reach people who'd be working during the week. I hope we're not going to give up on this.
ReplyDeleteI think it would have maybe made sense to have combined it with the open day of the preceding week, when prospective students could have checked out both facilities and taster sessions in one hit- but these things do need to be more extensively advertised; and it's not just where, it's also how.
ReplyDelete