What is Take Your Professor to Lunch Or Coffee?
This program is jointly sponsored by the Center for Faculty Innovation, Student Government Association, and General Education. It is an opportunity for students to establish an educational relationship with a faculty member that does not involve typical course procedures. It is based on evidence that shows students who have a professional relationship with a faculty member outside the classroom will be more successful in their collegiate experience.
The Spring 2008 program is now full. Congratulations to all professors who will be having lunch or coffee with their students this semester. Check back in Fall 2008 for the next opportunity to apply for this program.
New Request Procedure!
The request procedure has been changed to facilitate scheduling and communication. Don’t delay, request your lunch or coffee NOW. This semester requests must be submitted between January 14-24. This change allows the CFI to more efficiently schedule your class presentation and lunch reservation. Lunches or coffee will take place between February 11 and March 28, 2008.
How does it work?
Faculty who teach courses with 25 or more students may participate in this program. The professor completes a simple on-line request and the first 70 classes will be selected. Individual requests need to be made for each class with a maximum of two classes. If selected, the professor is contacted to schedule a time for an SGA representative to conduct a five minute presentation in class and identify (via a drawing) eight students to have a free lunch with you at Madison Grill or coffee at Java City in Taylor Down Under or Festival Center. The CFI will make the lunch or coffee reservation, as well as remind the students and professor. Feedback from faculty and students indicates that this is an extremely enjoyable experience for all involved.
What students said…
“I thought it was a great experience especially because it was my first semester here. It made me really feel like I belonged here.”
“In a large class I got to know the teacher and a few other students. It made the class more interesting and more personal and thus~ I believe I got a better grade.”
“Having a chance to talk to my Professor over lunch~ and learn more about him~ made him more interesting. In turn~ it made going to class and paying attention more interesting.”
“I liked it because it was a large lecture class~ and now he knew me by name. I got more interested in it and made sure I went to every class.”
“It made me more comfortable in class and also gave me more people to talk to in the class.”
"I realized that my professor actually cares about what we think. We all heard a lot of interesting stories from him and it made me want to attend class more."
"I really got to know my professor better and that relationship has continued throughout the semester."
"It is easier to approach the profesors with questions and comments because I feel like I know them now."
"This experience gave me a greater respect for the professor because I was able to learn why he teaches the course and his level of passion."
"It truly shows JMU cares about students. Though having larger classes is hard to control, this is one way to make the classroom feel smaller."
"I thought it was really cool, yet another way JMU has amazed me. We have the best programs!"
What faculty said…
“I saw the students more as individuals… It was much more personal…I have a real appreciation for the special people they really are.”
“It just re-emphasized how much else is going on in their lives besides my course.”
“Keep up the program! I think it is a great idea!”
"It was nice to sit down with students and find out more about their interests, career aspirations, and everyday lives at JMU."
"I was able to communicate with students on a more personal level. This is the kind of behavior that I encourage in class but not always succeed in bringing out due to the formality of the classroom environment."
Click here for the informational PowerPoint file.
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