Panel discussion to focus on challenges for today’s students

The Department of English and the Office of Orientation and New Student Programs will host a conversation and panel discussion about Rebekah Nathan’s book “My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student.”

The event will be held from 2:30-4 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, in 6191 Helen C. White Hall.

“Nathan” is a pseudonym for a state school anthropology professor who enrolled as an “undercover” freshman to better understand the culture and lives of undergraduates.

Through her experience, Nathan found that today’s students face new challenges to which academic institutions have not adapted. The discussion will focus on whether similar challenges exist here at UW–Madison.

Panelists will include English associate professor David Fleming, social work professor Aaron Brower, University Housing’s Kevin Helmkamp, psychology professor Jenny Saffran, teaching assistants and students.

Copies of the book are on reserve at the College Library and available for purchase at the University Book Store.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Wren Singer at singer@redgym.wisc.edu.