Group unites book junkies
By: Danielle Kucera, Staff Writer
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: University
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Daniel Anderson, the director of the undergraduate literature program and faculty adviser, or "master of SOUL" as he prefers to be called, said SOUL aims to add extra dimensions to the English major by giving students an outlet beyond the classroom to support one another, express themselves and have a good time.
There is another reading at 7:30 p.m. today in Greenlaw Hall. The Tuesday readings attracted about 30 students - English majors and nonmajors alike.
"SOUL is for everyone," said senior Sarah Bull, organization chairwoman. "It's not just for English majors. It's for anyone who is interested in literature in all its forms."
Bull noticed the need to revive an undergraduate literature program at UNC when she attended a mixer geared toward giving English majors a chance to get to know the faculty.
"There was like one other student other than me there and about eight professors. It was really ridiculous," Bull said.
She said e-mails about the organization were sent out to English majors and students gave a positive response.
SOUL consists of three student-led committees, placing the power in the hands of the students.
The Association of English Majors, an unsuccessful precursor to SOUL, lost momentum a few years ago, but Anderson said SOUL should be more successful because students are in charge.
Experienced English majors will serve as consultants for undergraduate students who may be unsure about classes. They will use forums and chat rooms in their advising.
"It's peer advising where you don't just have an appointment and walk into an office," Anderson said.
The resources and advising committee also plans to set up an online list of resources, including Web sites that let users read books for free and a book swap in which students can exchange books for their classes.
"We are trying to combine both technology and literature in order to aid the English department and English majors on campus," said Chris Chilton, chairman of the media technology committee.
Although SOUL aims to help students academically, it also has events planned to provide students with a chance to socialize and delve into the culture and climate of literature, officials said.
Events such as Oscar Wilde's birthday party, movies on the lawn, trips to the theater and creative writing critiquing sessions are on SOUL's schedule for this year.
Maria Devlin, freshman and Thomas Wolfe Scholar, read some of her work at the kickoff. She said she was happy to make new friends with her same passion for literature.
"I think it's so much fun, and it's so easy to make friends here," she said. "I'm really excited about it."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
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