What does IMPACT involve?  What do its members think about the required classes, optional activities, and other aspects of IMPACT?  Members from freshman to senior who are in a variety of different majors have written their opinions about multiple features that are unique to IMPACT. This page will hopefully give prospective members a better idea of what they can expect (and look forward to) if they join.

1. Required Classes
• Introduction to Critical Thinking
• Great Ideas
• Moral Principles
2.   Learning Opportunities
3. Listproc
4. Various IMPACT activities
•  Great Books discussion
• New York Times discussions
• IMPACT trips
• Wednesday night meetings/other requirements
• Rara Avis, an IMPACT publication
• A.C.E.-a teaching/learning conference
•   NCUR
5. Living on the IMPACT floor
6. Effects IMPACT has had on our lives
7. Time commitment involved with being in IMPACT
8. What IMPACT is not
9. Benefits of faculty involvement
10. From the perspective of a recently-joined member

1.   Required classes

a.     Introduction to Critical Thinking (ICT)

• This course has proved to be one of the most rewarding classes I have ever taken.  The challenge is immense; you must be prepared to expend a great deal of time and mental energy.  But, the benefits are equally immense.  Probably no other course will challenge you to think as carefully, and few other courses have the same sort of cross-disciplinary applications.  You may find that you have a fresh, critical attitude toward opinions that you long held.  At the same time, you will acquire tools to help you reason with even the most intelligent arguers.  A very valuable course. 

  -Ben Lucas, Sophomore, English Major

•   Critical thinking provides a framework for approaching the information with which we come into contact throughout our classes and other daily readings.  Knowing this framework gives us the opportunity to better understand the arguments we encounter. 

  -Judd Morrow, Junior, International Business/Spanish Major

• For me, Introduction to Critical Thinking was a revolutionary class because of the process we learned to evaluate an argument. Prior to ICT, most arguments seemed to simply consist of both sides making claims they could not support and attacking the other person's argument with little more than superficial criticisms. Unfortunately, this can be the sole extent of many arguments in daily encounters. ICT, however, enables one to see and evaluate arguments made by leading intellectuals.  This ability expands not only one's appreciation for a well-formulated and supported argument, but also gives one the ability to use critical thinking skills to evaluate ANY argument imaginable. This set of critical thinking skills has allowed me to develop from throwing stones at the other side of an issue to picking up the respective arguments in my hand and giving close inspection to their reasoning and validity.

  -Curtis Bunner, Freshman, Physics Major

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b.    Great Ideas

• This class is a crash-course in a broad range of ideas.  We read such authors as Socrates, Hobbes, Ibsen and, Brecht.  It was useful because I learned a great deal about ideas I would not have otherwise encountered.  Zen Buddhism is one striking example, as is Smith's market ideology.  One downside is that we learn so many ideas so quickly that few can be covered in detail.  The course whets, rather than satiates, the appetite for ideas.  Still, it is impressive that so much can be crammed into a single semester.

  -Ben Lucas, Sophomore, English Major

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c.      Moral Principles

• Why do conservatives oppose abortion?  Why do liberals oppose the death penalty?  Why don't socialists place their trust in the market?  Every IMPACT student takes a class called Moral Principles, in which students explore possible answers to these questions.  Don't let the class's title fool you, it's not about attaining the "right" values or moral principles; it's about gaining a clearer understanding of the institutions that help people form their principles.  For instance, the class takes an in-depth look at economic systems, governmental institutions, religions from all over the world, and moral theorists to help students seek a more informed position for their worldviews and beliefs.  The purpose of this class is for students to be able to say, "In most situations, I prioritize one goal over most others.  That goal is <blank>, and here is why it is important to me..." Further, the class gives IMPACT students a common lexicon with which to discuss the positive abstractions that tend to guide human decision-making.

  -Kevin Minnick, Junior, Liberal Studies Major

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2.     Learning Opportunities (LOs)

• Learning Opportunities provide a semi-structured, small group setting to learn about an interesting subject you might not encounter in class.  For example, one LO discussed the application of critical thinking in face-to-face encounters.  To me, one of the most exciting parts of an LO is that I can study new ideas without being distracted by my inability to choose the correct bubble on a college exam.  I also appreciate the chance to spend more time in a smaller group, which allows me to get to know IMPACT students and faculty.  However, I think you should be forewarned that IF the thought of spending extra hours of your free-time reading and discussing various articles/essays/books does not appeal to you, then LOs, and IMPACT in general, is probably not for you.

  -Sarah Mercier, Sophomore, Liberal Studies Major

• Learning Opportunities are beneficial because they allow one to choose a topic that she is interested in and discuss the ideas in a small group setting.  This is especially appealing to those who are less vocal when in larger groups and feel more comfortable in smaller numbers. LOs also provide a good opportunity to satisfy one's interest for ideas that the larger group might never explore as a whole. 

  -Anna Haney; Senior, Psychology Major

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3.     Listproc

• Listproc!  What's a listproc?  Good question.  A listproc is a list processor (hence listproc, get it?) that basically functions as a emailing list.  Any email sent to the listproc address will be received by everyone who is signed up for that listproc. As a member of IMPACT, all students are signed up for three listprocs.  Two of these are mainly for business purposes, i.e. what things will be addressed in future meetings or, "hey, I need a ride to this event we are going to."  One of these two accounts involves just the student members and the other includes all students in IMPACT and the faculty.  The third listproc is the important one.  This third listproc is where IMPACT displays its intellectual prowess.  IMPACT students, IMPACT faculty, administrators, former students, and interested third parties are included on this list.  The point of this list is for people to have an intellectual forum to discuss various ideas they have come across, and to further develop one's thinking and reasoning abilities.  The requirements are for older members (i.e. not freshman) to maintain a visible presence on this list by posting at least once a semester, but many people choose to post with a much higher frequency.  Of course, an interest in IMPACT usually means an interest in ideas, so posting on the listproc is less of a requirement and more of a perk of being in the group.

  -Dan Tagliarina, Junior, Political Science Major

• The listproc provides an open forum where we can discuss our ideas and opinions. The most beneficial aspect of the listproc is the timing. Because our weekly meetings and other activities limit the amount of time to discuss certain topics, people can fit reading and writing listproc posts around their schedule.

  -Judd Morrow, Junior, International Business/Spanish Major

• I have found the listproc to be one of the most useful tools in my development as a writer. Posting on the list is difficult and has shown me the worst and best of myself.  The list forces me to take the necessary risks associated with improvement of my learning and writing skills. At the same time, the listproc engages my curiosity about the world. I consider my self privileged to have such a forum for critical argument and expression.

  -Michelle Crosby, Junior, International Studies Major

• The IMPACT listproc is a great opportunity for us to discuss important topics in depth. By using technology, we can hold intricate discussions as an entire community where it would not have been practical before. Writing posts also helps to develop our articulation and communication skills. By that I mean that we can take the time to develop our thoughts and to consider what others have said before contributing to the discussion.

  -Jason Mellen, Freshman, Visual Comm. Technology Major

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4.     Various IMPACT activities

a.     Great Books discussion

• The Great Books discussion is a fairly recent development for IMPACT and a great way to learn a lot about many books in a short period of time.  For the Great Books discussions, IMPACT travels to an out-of-town location that is conducive to discussing ideas. It is usually a place that has nice scenery, like Punderson State Park, our last Great Books discussion location.  While this activity is completely voluntary, it normally attracts a good number of participants and is thoroughly worth the effort to read a book and get a handle on its basic argument.  Once we arrive at our location, we randomly pair up for three rounds of discussions over the course of a weekend.  Once paired, we share our ideas with our partners, creating an interesting dialogue that many times leads to the integration of various ideas from people's books. All in all, this creates an absolutely fascinating learning experience.

  -Dan Tagliarina, Junior, Political Science Major

• Great Books is a wonderful opportunity to venture outside of Bowling Green to discuss influential literary works. It gives students the opportunity to make connections between their own reading and the arguments/ideas in other books. Each year, discussions are centered on a certain type of literature. This fall, we engaged in readings from Hispanic authors.  This area is of particular interest to me considering my studies of the Spanish language.

  -Judd Morrow, Junior, International Business/Spanish Major

•  Socrates said, "She who knows she does not know is wisest." The great books discussions are an opportunity for me to find again the awe of that which I do not know and the joy in the little that I do know. To think that I would have probably graduated without knowing the significance of Francisco Franco, or given Steinbeck another chance to influence me, is jarring.

  -Michelle Crosby, Junior, International Studies

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b.    NY Times discussions

• IMPACT is a group that has a certain civic orientation, and as such feels it is very important to keep up with current events.  The purpose of being familiar with current events is to increase our abilities to be engaged, informed citizens.  One way to pursue this goal of active citizenry is to read and discuss the newspaper as a group.  Ergo, several times during the semester, a number of us will get together on a Sunday morning and read the New York Times together.  If you have never read the Sunday New York Times, I recommend it; it is just plain amazing.  Anyways, on a voluntary basis we come together to read for a while and then discuss the various articles we have read and the implications the content might carry in various situations.

  -Dan Tagliarina, Junior, Political Science Major

• Various Sundays, IMPACT students gather in the home of an upper classman or in the IMPACT lounge in Offenhauer to read and discuss the Sunday New York Times.  Reading the paper with fellow students allows us to react to the news and views relayed in the paper among a group who is actually quite interested in nurturing such behavior.  Near the end of the meeting, IMPACT students attempt to integrate the information and arguments they encounter in the paper as an intellectual reward for attempting to understand the significance of current events.

  -Kevin Minnick, Junior, Liberal Studies Major

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c.      IMPACT trips

• The IMPACT trips serve an important purpose. First and foremost, they provide us with the opportunity to experience forms of culture different than we usually find in Bowling Green. Attending plays, museums, and festivals provides one with exposure to new ideas and mediums of expression. Also, the trips allow us to bond as a group. Away from the busy schedules of school, we can get to know each other better and have meaningful, yet enjoyable, discussions about a variety of topics. Our travels become a shared experience for the group.

  -Jason Mellen, Freshman, Visual Comm. Technology Major

• IMPACT has gone on numerous trips over the years.  Each semester, a retreat is taken to see plays performed, perhaps following a specific topic or works of an author, as well as attend conferences.  Some of these trips have included Maumee Bay State Park, St. Charles, Illinois, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Cincinnati, Salt Lake City, Utah, and New York City.  In each city we have had the opportunities to see plays that have moved and taught us, share ideas learned from books, or give speeches on ethics, communication, education, and psychology, to name a few.  The IMPACT trips are much anticipated, and with good reason.  They provide the opportunity to not only learn in a new context, but also strike up relationships with other IMPACT members with whom prior contact may have been restricted to our weekly meetings.  We are very concerned with our inner relationships, thus we have even taken a trip solely to welcome new members into the fold and simply build community.  IMPACT trips, then, are not only an educational tool, but also a relationship-building tool, and should be considered an exciting benefit to joining IMPACT.

  -Meredith Fisher, Junior, Psychology Major

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d.    Wednesday night meetings/other requirements

• The Wednesday night meetings are important in more than one sense.  The meetings are there to keep continuity in the group (giving us time to catch up with each other), to discuss business within the group, and to hold certain activities such as discussing a book that we have all read.  One of the most rewarding things about reading a book in this group is being able to see many others' opinions about the text and encounter new perspectives on what you may have interpreted from the text.  The meetings help cultivate part of our sense of community by having us all together on that one evening, discussing, interacting and stimulating each other.

  -Heather Tewksbury, Junior, Music Education

• Our weekly gatherings provide us with an opportunity to have discussions and experience intellectual programming as a group. Many general meetings of organizations focus on administration issues. IMPACT, on the other hand, spends the majority of the meeting with that night's topic or presentation. You walk out of the meetings tired, not because you just wasted a couple hours, but because you have been thinking and learning non-stop the entire time.

  -Jason Mellen, Freshman, Visual Comm. Technology Major

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e.      Rara Avis, an IMPACT publication

• Rara Avis is an independent publication that IMPACT students write, edit, and produce.  The purpose of a group like IMPACT having such a publication is for the student members to have a chance to practice their writing and critical thinking skills in a public domain.  The publication comes out once a semester, and it usually focuses on one specific issue. In addition to three or four articles focusing on the central issue, the publication also includes book reviews, short articles on what IMPACT is doing, a satirical piece, as well as artwork created by IMPACT members.  All writers volunteer for their positions, as well as the editors.  Similar to the listproc, the publication functions as a forum for IMPACT members to both improve their writing and reasoning and demonstrate exactly what we are capable of doing.

  -Dan Tagliarina, Junior, Political Science Major

• Rara Avis is IMPACT's student-run newsletter.  It is a sort of tangible piece of output demonstrating a lot of what happens in IMPACT. Usually, each issue focuses on a single topic.  Past topics include "What is a University?" and "Student Evaluations."  Other articles are also included, especially book reviews and reports on IMPACT events.  There is obviously a time commitment involved in contributing to Rara Avis, depending on how much you choose to do  (Write?  Edit?  Help with layout?  Some combination?).  There is also much to gain, in terms of thinking carefully through an argument that will be published in a newsletter that represents IMPACT to the world at large.

  -Ben Lucas, Sophomore, English Major

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f.      A.C.E.-a teaching/learning conference

• A subset of IMPACT puts on a yearly event called the ACE (Active Commitment to Education) conference.  The conference is IMPACT's way of advocating a more robust environment for teaching and learning than the average college classroom currently offers.  Past conference topics include: Effective Assignment Giving, Making Connections across Disciplines, and Combating Student Apathy.

  -Kevin Minnick, Junior, Liberal Studies Major

• By now you probably have guessed that IMPACT is a group that values quality academic experiences and a liberal education.  Extending from our group's proclivity to these ends, we put on an annual conference known as the ACE conference.  For the conference, volunteers cooperate to generate a central idea for the conference to focus on.  Then, the students work on creating presentations as well as getting faculty members involved.  This year's conference focuses on the integration of ideas between disciplines.  Involved IMPACT members present ideas, critique ideas that are being presented, give opening comments, and transition from one presentation to the next, as well as give summarization comments at the end, which in itself is an attempt at integration.  The ACE conference is a great chance for those who truly care about their learning experience to try and make a difference.

  -Dan Tagliarina, Junior, Political Science Major

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g.     NCUR

• Each year, IMPACT students have the opportunity to attend the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), which is an annual conference dedicated to promoting undergraduate research and presentation.  I chose to write and present my paper at the conference last year.  Although preparation for this conference was rather time demanding, the experience was wonderful for enhancing my writing and speaking skills.  IMPACT faculty and students provided constructive feedback about my presentation several weeks before the conference, allowing me to make necessary changes and improvements.  The IMPACT faculty also helped in the revising of my paper.  But most significantly, I am in the process of converting the paper I presented last year at NCUR into an article for publication, which may be an option for IMPACT students who attend NCUR.  I would highly encourage any IMPACT student to attend NCUR.

  -Steve Weigand, Senior, Business Pre-Law and Economics Majors

• NCUR is an unusual chance for undergraduates to research and write essays at a highly academic level.  The conference itself is really enjoyable; so many highly educated and dedicated students participate that you can find a reading on almost anything in which you are interested. It's really a good chance to see what other interesting people are thinking about, and do some thinking yourself.

  -Steve Ruble, Sophomore, Philosophy Major

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5.     Living on the IMPACT floor

• When I first arrived at college I did not know what to expect. Previous experiences had given me the expectation of a bustling living environment with people always visiting and talking to you. Many residence halls do have such an environment, but the IMPACT community does not. The difference comes in how people spend their time. While students in other communities float from room to room with idle banter, the IMPACT student's visits are filled with more meaningful discussion. I'm not saying that there isn't strong community here, but it could be defined as quality rather than quantity.

  -Jason Mellen, Freshman,Visual Comm. Technology Major

• Living on the IMPACT floor gives you the most opportunity to talk to and interact with other IMPACTers.  However, this can only occur if you reach out to them.  This learning community is not comprised of many people with strong social skills and bubbling exuberance, as you could probably guess (the main criterion for membership being bookishness).  But if you make the effort, we are receptive and friendly.  I often find myself uncomfortable instigating conversation unless I have something important to say or a specific question to ask.  Small talk is difficult for me; I can't be the only one.  Having said all that, it is useful to have other IMPACTers just down the hall should you require intellectual input or advice.  Also, the IMPACT floor is in a very nice building; I particularly love the spacious rooms.  One of the only disadvantages is that the doors close automatically; you have to prop them open.

  -Judy Kniss, Sophomore, Music Education Major

• Living on the IMPACT floor has been a very refreshing experience for me. It's very nice to live on a floor where you know so many people and have similar experiences to discuss, whether those experiences are from participating in IMPACT events, LOs, or just things from living in Offenhauer.  Now, granted, people aren't always coming to your door and seeking you out to discuss things or hang out, but it's surprising to see what happens when you leave your door open.  IMPACTers who roam the halls in search of a discussion or break from their work will usually stop by and at least say hi.  Also, if you feel the desire to talk to someone and your roommate's at class, you can always knock on someone's door.  More often than not, the person will be happy to talk to you, unless he or she happens to be very busy and isn't in the mood for some procrastination.J  Finally, like in any relatively large group, there will be a tendency for you to become good friends with a subset of the community.  However, you will become acquaintances with most everybody in IMPACT, and that is also nice, too.  This means that if you see an IMPACTer two sinks down from you in the bathroom, even if you're not best friends with them, you still have some common ground to talk about.

  -Laren Conklin, Sophomore, Psychology Major

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6.     Effects IMPACT has had on our lives

• When influential people enter our lives, we often struggle to imagine living before meeting that person.  In some sense this is the best compliment one could pay to an influential person: "Without your positive impact on my life, I would not be the same person today." Many IMPACT students think this way after working with the IMPACT faculty.  It is truly extraordinary to have close access to accomplished faculty members with a passion for undergraduate development.  Where would we be had we not joined IMPACT?  We are not interested in the lifestyles and motivations of the "typical" college student, but rather we thrive on the academically-oriented community within IMPACT. Similarly, based on the extraordinary learning opportunities exclusive to IMPACT, many students wonder how their academic development and career ambitions would be different had they not joined IMPACT.  IMPACT has reformed our thinking skills and provides many thoughtful venues to practice and refine these skills with other IMPACTers.  Such opportunities are unfortunately rare at a university, which makes IMPACT all the more special.  We feel very fortunate to be involved with IMPACT.  We know we've found something special when we'd rather not think about where we'd be without the positive influence of the IMPACT faculty and students.

  -Jason Slowbe, Senior, Math Education Major

• During the past three years, the IMPACT learning community served as the primary force in shaping the person I am today. Through learning opportunities, listproc discussions, and frequent interaction with IMPACT faculty, I have developed critical thinking skills and a lifelong hunger for learning.  The IMPACT faculty give generously in their time and energy to create opportunities for IMPACT members to develop and excel in their academic pursuits.  Equally important, however, is the environment that IMPACT creates.  Surrounded by energetic individuals who have similar aspirations, goals, and curiosities, fellow IMPACT members push one another to constantly improve in their intellectual endeavors.  IMPACT served as a supplement to my university education by providing key opportunities for intellectual growth.

  -Alex Frondorf, IMPACT graduate, Philosophy Major

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7.     Time commitment involved with being in IMPACT

• With a group as varied as IMPACT, it is hard to specifically state what time commitment is involved.  If you do not think you will have much free time, or if you just want to sit and stare at the wall for hours with nothing on your mind, then IMPACT is clearly not for you.  However, if you are not afraid of putting some time into an active and engaged group, then time probably will not be a problem.  Plenty of IMPACT members have, at one time or another, worried about whether they were doing enough for the group. In an effort to address this concern, we have created a compact outlining the minimum requirements for participation in the group.  The minimum is more than enough to stay in the group and be active.  However, for those who are engaged and care about the group and its development, there are plenty of opportunities to go above and beyond the minimum.  Basically, the time commitment starts with a minimum outlined in the compact, and then goes up from there, depending on how active you want to be.

  -Dan Tagliarina, Junior, Political Science Major

• The first thing that I think people should know about IMPACT and time commitments is that membership does require a significant amount of time.  However, there are different degrees of time commitments within this group.  Some IMPACTers get involved in almost everything (ACE, Great Books, multiple LOs, lots of posting on the listproc, volunteering to assist the Director, etc.).  On the other hand, other members pick-and-choose with which optional activities (in addition to the core requirements) they desire involvement.  My advice?  If you aren't sure that the time you are willing to commitment to IMPACT will be sufficient, talk with some of the IMPACT members, get a feel for their level of involvement and the time this involvement requires.  Then, compare your findings with your own desires.  Buena Suerte! (Good luck J )

  -Sarah Mercier, Sophomore, Liberal Studies Major

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8.     What IMPACT is not

• IMPACT is a community, but it's not a purely social community.  One of the things that makes this community great is its ability to accomplish many great tasks.  However, this comes at a social cost.  IMPACT members are social, but not in the ways that most "social" communities flourish.  Being in IMPACT means you understand what we are based on and will gear your expectations towards that rather than seeing IMPACT for purely social means.

  -Heather Tewksbury, Junior, Music Education

• It is often hard to understand what IMPACT is without the knowledge of what IMPACT is not.  IMPACT IS NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES. Though it seems cold, if you are looking for a community that automatically lends a smile, hug, or sympathetic ear, then IMPACT is not for you.  So, do friendships and smiles not exist in IMPACT?   Of course they exist, but not with the same ease as at the local sorority or fraternity house.  But even though IMPACT is not a community whose members run at you with open arms, many members are more than comfortable here.  It is often the case that the feeling of community in IMPACT is experienced to a greater extent after one has contributed intellectual thought to and received intellectual contributions from the group.   In other words, the fundamental unit at the basis of the relationships within IMPACT is reciprocity; IMPACT is not a community that gives to those who do not give back.

  -Anna Haney, Senior, Psychology Major

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  9.     Benefits of faculty involvement

• The faculty involvement is what I consider to be the largest benefit of being in IMPACT.  By being a member of IMPACT, you will find that you have almost unlimited access to two excellent faculty members who are willing to help us better ourselves in pursuit of our academic goals.  Words really do not do justice to the level of commitment the IMPACT faculty have for IMPACT members.  As a member you will be able to develop a personal relationship with outstanding faculty committed to your personal growth.  The chance of developing this sort of relationship outside of IMPACT with any faculty member is probably slim to none.

  -Dan Tagliarina, Junior, Political Science Major

• One of the perks of membership in IMPACT is the faculty involvement. We always have access to our two main faculty members, and other events in the year allow us access to even more faculty members from different disciplines. Each year, one or two faculty members from disciplines like science, psychology, or economics help IMPACT by leading a learning opportunity.  Other faculty members have agreed to speak to IMPACT as a whole for our faculty scholar programs.  Meeting additional faculty members on campus helps us to gain a better network of contacts in different departments.  Selected faculty members are always enthusiastic to help the IMPACT group or individual students.

  -Lorna Springer, Senior, Actuarial Science Major

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10.  From the perspective of a recently-joined member

• My name is Maggie Schilb. I am a freshman pursuing a Secondary Language Arts Education degree, and I joined IMPACT only a month ago. Before I came to IMPACT, I was, naturally, intimidated because of the group's intelligence and work ethic. I was afraid that the members might expect me to have a justified reason for every non-intellectual thing I did, like crocheting. After moving onto the IMPACT floor this semester, I found that the members are not intimidating at all. The group is definitely focused on achieving intellectual excellence, and most members, from what I have seen, keep themselves very active among school, IMPACT, jobs, and other activities, yet they still have fun and laugh. The fact that the members were not as uptight as I expected made me feel more comfortable with the group. They never asked me why I do some of the things that I enjoy, because they too have hobbies and things they like to do that provide almost no significant intellectual development. In this way, I have been able to both find a group of people that have high intellectual standards with whom I can identify with and also meet interesting people with whom I can make strong friendships.

  -Maggie Schilb, Freshman, English Education

2-15-04