Those looking to get a jump on their summer reading may want to consider being a part of the 2010 campus community book project.

The campus is calling for nominations of books and people to join the selection committee, according to Mikael Villalobos, administrator of diversity education and chair of the Campus Community Book Project.

The theme for 2010 is “value of education or barriers to higher education,” Villalobos said. Committee members must be willing to read books throughout the summer, and decide if they sufficiently address the theme, he added.

The book project plans well ahead. The committee will convene in mid-July and begin looking at potential titles for the book project. At the end of October, the top three titles will be chosen, and the final book will be announced in early January of next year. (The book for 2009 is Geography of Bliss, by Eric Weiner.)

Economy factored in theme

Villalobos said that when faced with a struggling economy, it becomes more and more difficult for families and individuals to gain access to higher education.

The committee members will look through several titles and deliberate about the central theme of each book, Villalobos said. They will then decide if each book keeps the topic in mind.

“We wanted the topic to be versatile,” Villalobos said. “By looking at ‘quality education and barriers to higher education,’ we can really apply the topic across all disciplines on campus.”

“The economy was part of the conversation in selecting the topic,” he said, explaining that the economy affects students who may be strapped for funds when trying to access higher education.

The UC Davis Campus Council on Community and Diversity felt that the topic that was chosen is particularly applicable to the UC Davis community, Villalobos said.

Also, it is important for the selection committee to look at a topic from a cross-cultural perspective, he said. The topic should be relevant and pose difficult questions that may not have clear-cut answers.

The deadline for book nominations is July 3. If you want to nominate a book or join the Campus Community Book Project selection committee, contact Villalobos by e-mail at mbvillalobos@ucdavis.edu.

Caitlin Cobb is a Dateline writing intern.