Faculty Discussions

We believe that informal discussions that assists students in integrating and making meaning of their learning are some of the most important ways that learning can happen outside-the-classroom. The following is a list of the structured ways we have created to assist you in engaging with students in informal ways. You are welcome to come to a discussion one time or on-going. You are also welcome to attend any of the many events sponsored by our House Fellows, CRC Mission & Vision groups, or interest groups that are open to all community members. The CRC website will have up-to-date information concerning the specific dates and times of these events throughout the semester. If you’d prefer to receive regular e-mails notifying you of upcoming opportunities, contact April Marlewski.

• Topic Tables: Monthly dinner conversations designed for faculty, staff, and students to engage in conversation about contemporary, intellectual and relevant issues for CRC students and members of the UW-Madison community. These dinners take place throughout the Chadbourne cafeteria on pre-selected selected topics.
• Tea Talks: Monthly informal, drop-in opportunities to have conversations with students in the Chadbourne Main Lounge. Coffee,tea and light snacks will be served.
• What Matters to Me and Why?: An on-going series that hosts distinguished speakers and guests to speak to students and members of the UW community about their work, how they discovered their passion for what they do, and why they believe it matters. Some of last year’s speakers included: historian, playwright and social activist Howard Zinn, author Jonathan Safran Foer, and the executive producer of the academy award winning documentary The Inconvenient Truth, Laurie David. Different from a lecture, the guests speak informally with students about their interests and answer questions. When time allows, many speakers have continued these conversations over dinner with students, faculty, and staff in the Chadbourne cafeteria. For current info, visit the What Matters to Me and Why? page.
• Global Dialogues: A program co-sponsored by CRC, International Student Services and other UW offices. The purpose of these dialogues is to bring international & domestic students together to exchange ideas on compelling issues facing communities, nations, and the world today. The goals are to create a vibrant and meaningful forum for exchanging perspectives, encountering difference in a respectful climate, growing in understanding of diverse global issues, and forging new friendships.
• CRC Fall Picnic: One of the wonderful beginning-of-fall traditions at Chadbourne Residential College (CRC) is a picnic during Wisconsin Welcome that features small group discussions with students, faculty, and staff. We encourage new and returning CRC students to share a provided picnic dinner with faculty and staff and talk informally about the questions and concerns they have coming or returning to college, Madison, and to CRC's special community. This is a chance for new CRC students to meet "wise guides" from across the campus as they begin their intellectual journey at UW-Madison and CRC. These beginning discussions play an important role in welcoming students to the community and setting the tone for the year. It’s also a fun way for faculty and staff to engage with incoming students. Whether you've participated for years, or are a newcomer, we hope you'll be able to join us this year.