Do you remember how you felt about your favorite college professors–the one whose name you looked for when it came time to sign up for classes, the one whose teaching precipitated one of those sea changes in thinking that happen to college freshmen?  I’ve had professors whose every word seemed brilliant and life-changing when I was 18.  I’ve had professors whose opinions and ideas dominated cafeteria conversations with my friends for semesters.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, “Do you have any idea how important you are?”  

On Thursday, November 30, from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., the library will be hosting the Long Night Against Procrastination, a chance for students to devote a big chunk of time to their last assignments.  Librarians, tutors, Writing & Reading Center staff, and student success coaches will be available to help as needed.  There will be free pizza at 7:00 and midnight, free coffee and snacks all night, pie, cake . . . . . well, you get the idea.  

This is a special invitation for YOU to take an hour or two out of your crazy life to come and hang out with your students in the library.  I know.  We all have lots of things to do.  We’re old.  We’re tired. But this is really important.   Maybe you could offer “office hours” to students who want to talk through an assignment.  Or you could lead a study group for the final exam.  Or you could just come eat pizza.  Having their instructors around lends students’ efforts a certain level of seriousness.  It’s one of those situations that makes me realize that physical presence, face-to-face conversations, the warmth of human interaction is the very core of teaching. (Second only to learning outcomes, of course.)