Meet Us in the Margins:
Engage with the Common Read!
Summer Engagement (July-August)
Common Read Book Talk with Orientation
Location: Link to sign up here
Event Description: Join members of the Orientation team on Zoom to connect with other new students and talk about the book. How far have you read? What’s the most interesting essay so far? Did you start from the beginning or pick an essay in the middle?
Parent & family engagement opportunities
Location: Terrier Family Network Online Portal
Event Description: Parents and families can learn all about the Common Read via the Terrier Family Network. A portal for parents to keep up to date on what’s happening on campus and how we support students. We encourage parents to read the Common Read, too!
Orientation integration: opening session, elective programs
Location: TBA
Event Description: Throughout Orientation, students will find points of connection to Inciting Joy and its themes. Students can sign up for a “Book Talk” with a faculty member and more.
Fall Semester Programming (September-November)
Signature event integration: Weeks of Welcome, First Six-Weeks, SPLASH
Location: TBA
Event Description: The first several weeks of school are filled with programming from Weeks of Welcome to your Residence Hall. Watch for more updates on where you can engage with the Common Read during these signature events.
Kilachand Honors College integration: Common Read Writing Program
Location: TBA
Event Description: Inciting Joy and its themes will play a starring role in the Writing Program at Kilachand Honors College.
Joy in Creation
Location: FenMake (Makerspace on Fenway Campus)
Event Description: Finding joy in creation. Join us at FenMake, the makerspace on BU’s Fenway Campus.
Joy in Growth, a seed-sharing initiative
Location: TBA
Event Description: Growing together. Come garden with us and learn the joy in planting seeds in soil, your community, the classroom, and more.
Joy in Collaboration, in partnership with SLIC student organizations
Location: TBA
Event Description: What does it mean to find joy in collaboration? Every day you collaborate with your classmates and friends, especially in your student groups. Learn tips for collaborating effectively with the SLIC leadership team.
Family & Friends Weekend
Location: TBA
Event Description: A signature event here on BU’s campus – parents and families come to visit. Parents will have opportunities to find their joy throughout the weekend and learn a bit about what that means for them.
Faculty-in-Residence discussions/programming
Location: TBA
Event Description: Every year, the BU Faculty-in-Residence host several programs. Check back to see how this year’s programs highlight the themes of Inciting Joy.
Spring Semester Programming (January-April)
Campus Author Event ft. Ross Gay
Location: TBA
Event Description: In Spring 2027, we will welcome the author of Inciting Joy, Ross Gay, to campus. More information to come.
Joy through Resilience and Pain, with Student Health & Wellbeing
Location: TBA
Event Description: Looking deeper into what Ross Gay shares in his book regarding finding joy through sorrow. Student Health & Wellbeing will lead this event.
Joy in the Collective, with the Howard Thurman Center
Location: TBA
Event Description: What does it mean to find joy in the collective? Learn more and dive into the themes with the Howard Thurman Center.
Joy in Persistence, academic-focused programming
Location: TBA
Event Description: How does one find joy while studying for midterms or finishing a group project for a class? Join us to discuss staying persistent with your academics and how joy can come from it.
Joy in Community, with the LGBTQIA+ Student Resource Center
Location: TBA
Event Description: Finding one’s community is important and can create joy. Discuss more about how you’ve found or are still looking for your community on campus with the LGBTQIA+ Student Resource Center.