“We are on a year timeline because we want the books to be released sometime in 2012,” said Jason Bentley, director of First Year Experience.

As of late October, the FYE program was only contemplating on creating its own textbooks to sell to other universities with similar programs, but the project is now under way.

The program does not have a specific due date for the release of the book because they are going through a review process with the book idea.

“We have an outline of what we want in the book,” Bentley said. “We have spoken with two publishers and sent them sample manuscripts.”

Since the review process is a month long, the FYE program will know in May whether the book is going to be released or not.

“The release date is dependent on the publisher,” Bentley said.

The reviewers of the sample manuscript include directors of similar programs from other schools; they will give their opinions on things to change about the book or deny the book idea entirely.

FYE is contemplating the idea of creating its own textbooks to sell to other universities for similar programs.

“Folks have asked us about the general idea of having a book,” said Jason Bentley, director of First Year Experience. “The main focus would be for a transition to college learning, understanding course concepts, the culture of college, enhanced writing and learning through doing.”

Audrey Johnson is the publications coordinator for the FYE Program.

The Grand Rapids junior said she is excited about the idea of the program having a book for other colleges to look at.

“It is exciting that we could be a leader for that type of information in being a role model on helping students,” Johnson said. “It puts Central in a better position if other colleges are looking at our FYE Program”.

Milford graduate student Samantha Thorpe, peer mentor coordinator for FYE, is pleased to see the FYE program taking steps to become a leader in teaching first-year students.

“It is very exciting,” she said. “It means that our program is being innovative in allowing other universities to read our book”.

In order for the idea to become a reality, the FYE program knows it would take a lot of work, time and dedication, Bentley said.

“There are a lot of resources that are strictly for Central. We would have to change the cover,” Johnson said. “We talked about making the faculty version that will include lesson plans, resources for faculty. That would make it a success.”

The FYE program plans to make the textbook available in online, downloadable PDF and print format, Bentley said.

The book does not have a set date of release yet. Authors have also not been determined.

The main reason the FYE program pursued the idea of creating their own book was affordability to students, he said.

“It isn’t about making money, it’s about providing services to students,” Bentley said. “It isn’t a promotion of us; we want to be part of a movement.

The third annual WCMU Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. now through Dec. 18 in central and northern Michigan. To collect new or gently-worn sweaters, WCMU is partnering with several organizations to give to those in need this winter. For dropoff information, visit cmu.org or drop off sweaters at the Central Michigan University Public Broadcasting Center. For more information, contact Renee Schaver at (800) 727-9268 or shave1rr@cmich.edu.

Fall leaf pick-up

Sunday is the last day for residents to rake leaves into the streets. City crews will make one final pickup Monday. Some guidelines to insure leaf removal are raking leaves into the street along the curb or to the street shoulders in uncurbed areas and to raking leaves into street gutters in low piles. On Pickard, Mission and High streets, where traffic prohibits leaves in the gutters, leaves can be raked between the curb and sidewalk. Bagged leaves, branches, grass clippings and garden cuttings will not be picked up.

FYE Peer Mentors

The selection process for First Year Experience mentors for the 2010-11 academic year is beginning. FYE peer mentors have the opportunity to help students transition to Central Michigan University and the college atmosphere through the FYE 101: First Year Experience course. Students can get information and an online application at fye.cmich.edu/mentors-prosp.htm. For more information, contact Jana Lewis at lewis3jm@cmich.edu or Jason Bentley at bentl1jm@cmich.edu.

Anspach speaker

Laury Silvers, A visiting assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s department for the study of religion, is speaking from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in Anspach Hall room 161. The Female or Shared Authority Movement in North American Islam seeks to open up the role of community prayer leader to women from within the boundaries of traditional Islamic Law and practice. Silvers is a scholar of Islam and a participant in the movement and is discussing the basic legal issues surrounding woman-led prayer, the nature of the resistance to it, how the movement is challenging male-only authority and how the goal of her movement relates to the aspirations of other varieties of feminism. For more information, contact Betty Lewis at 774-3444 or lewis1ec@cmich.edu.

Public debate

Central Michigan University students will debate from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Thursday in Moore Hall Room 105. The public debate will be presented by students from COM 267: Intro to Debate and will debate whether public schools should wear uniforms. The debate will introduce opening arguments from both sides and then the prepared arguments will be followed by question and discussion from the audience. Admission is free. For more information, contact Jeff Drury at 774-3950 or drury1jp@cmich.edu.

Turkey Trot

A 5k walk/run around the campus of Central Michigan University takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday starting at Fabiano Hall’s lobby. Check-ins will begin at 10 a.m. and the race will begin at 11:11 a.m. Immediately following the race, participants will receive a pancake breakfast. Registration and race will be outside Fabiano Hall by the fountains. Prizes will consist of gift certificates. A participant can sign up at the event or by e-mailing turkeytrot2009@yahoo.com. Include name, number and shirt size. The cost is $10 to participate in the race and everyone gets a shirt. For more information, contact Steve Wincent at (517) 936-8438.