Julie Schumacher, author of “Dear Committee Members” and UMN Regents Professor of Creative Writing and English

The Civil Service Senate invites all Civil Service and P&A staff members to participate in a shared reading program this summer. Dear Committee Members, the featured book, is by Julie Schumacher, the UMN Regents Professor of Creative Writing and English. The book was much lauded upon publication; Schumacher received the Thurber Prize for American Humor for it, becoming the first woman to ever receive the prize.

“I’m so happy to inaugurate the first ever One Read for both Civil Service and P&A staff with Dear Committee Members,” says Daryl Richard Lawrence, Civil Service Chair-Elect. “I think Julie’s book not only speaks to the experiences of folks working in higher education, but allows the University’s staff to build a bridge with our faculty in a different way by engaging with Julie, one of our own faculty members, and her magnificent work. I hope you will all join me with this fun summer read!”

Julie will join Daryl in discussion about the book on Thursday, August 20 at 1 p.m. in a webinar open to Civil Service and P&A staff members (limited to the first 1,000 registrants), see the discussion questions below. Those who participate in the One Read and the capstone webinar will receive a code for 1,000 Wellbeing Points, which will be shared at the end of the webinar (this webinar will not be recorded).

How to get a copy

Title: Dear Committee Members (2014)
Author: Julie Schumacher, Regents Professor of Creative Writing and English; julieschumacher.com

Physical book

At UMN:

• Wilson Library (TC) Book club kit (6 copies + discussion questions)
• TC campus copy (Wilson)
• Morris campus copy
• If UMN copies are unavailable, you may also request the book via interlibrary loan

Other options:

• Discover a nearby copy and place a request via MNLink (a Minitex service).
  • See available copies within the public library systems in Minnesota and request a copy to be sent to your local, public library.
• You can also purchase a copy at the University of Minnesota Bookstores (in store or online) or your friendly neighborhood bookstore (find one using this locator tool from bookshop.org, where you can also purchase a copy online).
  • The book will be available with a 20% discount at the University of Minnesota Bookstores for the duration of the reading period and there will be a limited number of signed copies available, too!

E-book

• UMN campuses Overdrive (3 copies)
• Twin Cities Metro eLibrary (MELSA) (47 copies)

Audiobook

• UMN campuses Overdrive (2 copies)
• Twin Cities Metro eLibrary (MELSA) (13 copies)

Capstone Webinar

Join Julie Schumacher, in discussion with Civil Service Chair Daryl Richard Lawrence, on Thursday, August 20 at 1 p.m. as she talks about Dear Committee Members. Attendance for this webinar is capped at 1,000 participants, so be sure to register early! This webinar will not be recorded.

Wellbeing Program

A code redeemable for 1,000 Wellbeing Points will be available at the end of the capstone webinar; it will not be distributed outside of that format.

Discussion Questions

1. How did you experience the book? Were you engaged immediately, or did it take you a while to “get into it”? How did you feel reading it?
2. Did you think that having a college education enhanced your enjoyment of the book? Explain.
3. Julie Schumacher, the author, says that by using the letter writing approach in the book she was freed up from describing the main character. How would you describe Professor Fitger? What do you think he looked like? What were some of his personality traits, motivations and inner qualities?
4. One of the biggest tasks for the letters was to create a main storyline – of Fitger, championing the literary efforts of one of his students, Darren Bowles. Why do you think Schumacher chose it for her storyline? How did it enhance your understanding of Professor Fiitger?
5. Instead of a plot, the book has several themes: one of which is the state of higher education today. In some of his letters of recommendation Fitger shows his anger at the changes in higher education. What are some of the points he was trying to make in those letters?
6. Another theme that emerges is Schumacher’s theme about growing old and facing failure. How does she develop this theme? How does it affect your understanding of Fitger?
7. One reviewer remarked: “for all his corrosiveness, he (Fitger) is actually one of the good guys: a generous defender of gifted students, unappreciated colleagues and fine scholarship”? Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
8. Julie Schumacher became the first woman to win the Thurber Prize for humor writing. The main criteria for the winning book is that “it cannot be mean-spirited. It needs to be in the Thurber tradition and Thurber’s humor was very smart and snarky.” What do you think the judges saw in this book to award it the Thurber Prize?
9. What was one of your favorite letters of recommendation?
10. What did you like or dislike about the book that hasn’t been discussed already? Were you glad you read this book? Would you recommend it to a friend?

See a printable PDF version of the discussion questions (external link).