Ideas for Dedicated Hour

Reminder and review of deadlines, procedures, and academic policies
Group reading with a discussion
Discussion on how various academic field fit into the Marlboro curriculum
Study Skills workshop with the Director of Academic Support Services
Library Research session with a Librarian
Stress Management workshop / discussion
Sophomore Review preparation or discussion
Discussion of the Plan process
Work session on Final or Preliminary Plan Applications to familiarize students of all class standings with the process and structure
Discussion on how tutorials work and how to build a good one – with all class standings
Senior Plan Presentations
Dedicated Hour held in Plan Room with discussion about some well-designed plans in the area of study
Discussion on how tutorials work and how to build a good one – with all class standings
Study Abroad overview with the Associate Director of World Studies
Study Abroad Experiences – presentation and Q & A with students returning from WSP, Study Abroad, or College-sponsored trips
Alum Experiences – presentations or discussions with former students to visit and find out what they’ve moved on to doing after Marlboro
Foreign language immersion option for Dedicated Hour
Session on finding summer jobs or internships
Overview of process, timing, and etiquette of Letters of Recommendation
Discussions about Grad School options within the area of study

Designate a different student to lead a Dedicated Hour discussion or activity each week
Create a semester-long schedule of all Dedicated Hour discussions or activities
Schedule group meetings early in the semester and individual meetings later
Email out a reminder about Dedicated Hour on Tuesday
Dedicated Hour "student exchange" either swap whole groups with another faculty member or have individual students visit a Dedicated Hour group they might join as a Plan student to gain new ideas and perspective
Ask staff not to schedule students to do Work Program hours during Dedicated Hour
Schedule outdoor program session with Randy for two (or more) combined Dedicated Hour groups

Performance of Marx in Soho by Jerry Levy
A History of Marlboro College with Tim Little
Faculty "How Did I Get Here?" sessions – time for faculty to recount their own academic "journeys" as a way to help students understand the grad school experience, the transition from student to teacher, and the balance of a rounded life that reaches beyond academia.
Meet the Staff event – staff members visit Dedicated Hours to talk about what they do (advising, financial aid, academic records, etc.), how it impacts the student, and how they can best work together.
OP orientation – for new students, or those not familiar with the program; meet OP staff, find out hours, learn about gear checkout and upcoming trips.

Trips to art museums or other events
Presentation of a science reading or a Digital Projection session exploring geography and mapping tools via Google Earth
Watch a documentary
Ice cream, trust games, origami, board games, chess, or Go
Short student-taught projects - Button-making with the school’s button machine, small hand-made book projects, poster-making for an event
Group participation in a Senior’s study needing test subjects
Hike together in the woods or visit the Climbing Wall
Sports games between Dedicated Hour groups (a la the epic Meg Mott’s vs. John Sheehy’s Dedicated Hour volleyball game of 2007)

Town Meeting / Selectboard special sessions or discussions
Special session on current event (e.g. international crises; elections)
Fundraising, petition writing, or letter writing
Surveys or discussion on current campus issues (e.g. smoking language)
Discussions on current campus initiatives (enlivening Community Court, the Library Honor Code, Greening from the Heart)

Marlboro College