The program contributes to campus life by celebrating the ongoing pursuit of knowledge, artistic innovation, intercultural understanding, and moral inquiry.

It serves the wider community
by inviting ongoing dialogue and collaboration between the college and the community. The LAC forum reinforces the idea that public deliberation and aesthetic appreciation are essential for a lifelong commitment to civic responsibility and vocational readiness.

Each year, the Liberal Arts Colloquium (LAC) presents approximately sixty public events. These events include lectures by prominent scholars, performances and presentations by significant artists, talks and panel discussions that address topics from disciplinary perspectives or speak to pressing contemporary issues, selected student presentations, and programs tied to a theme or larger event on campus.

 

The LAC Advisory Committee directs the selection process and makes the determination of LAC status for each quarter.

The following criteria are important considerations in its selection of events. Proposals should clearly state how the event addresses any criteria that apply.

- Does the event link the audience to a broader intellectual conversation or cultural experience?

- Is the event under professional direction or otherwise organized to ensure quality?

- Does the event support an international perspective and/or intercultural understanding?

- Is the proposed event part of a series around a theme germane to the college?

- Is it consistent with the named theme of a particular quarter?

Faculty, staff and students are invited to propose events to be considered for Liberal Arts Colloquium credit. Sponsors must submit proposals in order for events to be considered for LAC approval, even if such events have traditionally been awarded LAC status. Proposals submitted by students or student organizations that are under the direction of a professional faculty or staff member are given preference, particularly if they are new events.

 

 

Proposals for events being planned well in advance may be submitted early in the academic year if there is sufficient information about the event.

Not all valuable events of broad interest will fit the guidelines for the Liberal Arts Colloquium series; events that do fit the guidelines may not be designated as LAC.