Table Talk back on the menu

Table Talk, a program which facilitates communication and interaction between faculty and students at GC&SU, is back in full-swing.

The program, sponsored by Auxiliary Services and GC&SU’s Sodexho Dining Services, is known for “picking up the check” when students and faculty invite one another to share a meal and converse in Maxwell Student Union’s cafeteria.

“One of the things that is special about GC&SU is the opportunity it provides for students to work closely with talented faculty,” President Dorothy Leland said. “Table Talk is one of a number of programs that help faculty and students connect outside the classroom.”

Table Talk was initially organized by former GC&SU President Dr. Rosemary DePaolo in 1999. The program was forced to make extensive cuts last year due to excessive costs and people taking advantage of the program.

According to Kyle Cullars, Director of Auxiliary Services, the program was so popular that it “led to its own demise.”

However, with a new automated service and a plan to utilize the Bobcat Card for the program, many changes have been made and Table Talk is now extended to all faculty and students again.

Leland said faculty members, including herself, were strong advocates of the program, and GC&SU’s Academic Affairs and Auxiliary Services joined in the effort to find solutions and make the program more broadly available.

“I think students who participate understand that informal dialogue and conversation over a meal with faculty enriches their educational experience here,” Leland said. “My role in expanding Table Talk this year was limited to asking people to look for solutions to the problems that led to a curtailment of the program last year.”

Cullars said faculty members are required to get their Bobcat Cards activated for the program, but currently enrolled students do not have to.

Table Talk is now only available for one meal per week, one teaching faculty member and no more than two students at a time may participate and all participants must check in at the cashier’s stand at the same time to participate.

Cullars stresses that the program is not intended for related faculty members and students or for faculty to meet with their graduate assistants or other student workers. The program is also not available on Sundays.

“[We] are pleased to offer this valuable program that fosters stronger relationships between faculty and students,” Cullars said. “Please do your part in adhering to the guidelines.”

Mike Haun, Retail and Marketing Manager of Sodexho’s Dining Services, said he encourages all students and faculty members to take advantage of the program.

“It’s exactly what the school stands for,” Haun said. “Table Talk goes along with the private school education at a public school price. It’s also taking a step forward and taking learning and communication outside of the classroom.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 2 2005. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry