Tour guides at most universities tout the strength of their school’s student-professor relationships, and Georgetown’s are no exception. Older students frequently dispense the advice “get to know your professors” as a must for undergraduate life. But beyond office hours and the occasional shared coffee, few means are widely used to bridge the student-faculty divide. In this context, the Moveable Feast with Faculty program stands out as a creative and commendable solution.
The program was designed by the Office of Residential Education to facilitate relationships outside of the classroom, in this case over a casual dinner. Through the Moveable Feast, three or more juniors, seniors or graduates can apply to have dinner with a professor or academic dean. The university will pay cover up to a $100 tab of takeout from local restaurants, including Sweetgreen and Qdoba.
While it does take courage to invite a professor to a meal, by making the application simple and the food free, the Moveable Feast eliminates a hoop through which students would otherwise have to jump. The program’s only request is that students provide a photograph from the event to be used for future marketing purposes. By creating a comfortable environment for professors and students to come together, the program facilitates relationships that can extend far beyond a single evening.
The only weakness of such a strong program is that it is so rarely taken advantage of. It is solely advertised by a single, infrequently viewed page on Georgetown’s website, and, when asked, few students say they have heard of it. Students are notoriously eager when presented with free food, and many have a genuine desire to socialize with faculty. Given these factors, the Moveable Feast program really should broadcast its availability. But if few Georgetown students hear about it, neither appetite can be fulfilled.
In the broad discussion about student-faculty engagement, the Moveable Feast is a clever way to form friendships. However, its advantages will come to little avail if the Office of Residential Living cannot fill all the spots at the table.
