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University Theme Development

The all-university Learning and Community Engagement (LACE) Committee coordinates the University Theme. 

The goal for a University Theme is to: 

  1. Facilitate critical thinking and interdisciplinary conversations around a theme across the university community
  2. Increase understanding of the complexity of theme-related topics
  3. Provide curricular and co-curricular programming that crosses disciplinary boundaries and engages students, faculty, staff, and community members from various backgrounds
  4. Partner with the broader community to benefit from local expertise and to model community engaged learning for our students
  5. Provide opportunities for faculty, staff, students, and community members to work in interdisciplinary teams on a theme which inspires passion

University Theme proposals can be submitted by any group of faculty or staff members who have knowledge and interest in a specific topic. 

The selected theme is announced in the spring. Proposers assemble an ad-hoc team that spends a year planning theme activities and then implement them in the following year.

The Theme Team is primarily responsible for implementing the planned activities during the year, with a $15,000 budget for developing programs and events.

Theme years go through 3 distinct phases (PDF) and take 2 years to fully propose, plan, and implement.

While theme year planning and implementation require time and effort, it offers a wonderful opportunity to engage with colleagues and lead our community in an exploration of a meaningful topic.

How to Propose a Theme

Do you have an idea for the next University Theme? Instructions and deadlines for proposal submission are included in an invitation email sent to all employees.

Reach out to Dr. Elissa Elzate at ealzate@winona.edu to learn more about the application process.

Theme proposers are asked to define:

  • Tentative title of the proposed theme
  • Proposers’ names, email addresses, and job title/positions at WSU
  • Brief description of the proposed theme
  • Rationale for proposing the theme
  • Relevance of the proposed theme to the WSU community
  • How the proposed theme can address each of the five goals of the University Theme
  • Additional goals specific to the proposed theme (if applicable)
  • Prospective partner departments/units/organizations on and off campus

The basic selection criteria are: 

  • identified faculty, staff, and community members who will take the lead on planning and implementing the theme
  • how well the idea addresses the 5 goals of the University Theme

Browse past University Themes for inspiration for your proposal.

Timeline

Call for Proposals

January-February

Campus members are invited to submit their proposals to the LACE committee.

Review of Proposals

March-Early April

The applicants meet with the LACE committee to discuss their proposals.

Decision

Mid-Late April

After reviewing all submissions, the LACE committee selects a theme for recommendation to the President.
The official theme selection is announced to campus.

How to Plan a Theme Year

If your theme proposal is selected, you will be invited to a University Theme training workshop in the spring semester, where you will get instructions on budgeting, university business processes, and general event planning. 

In the following fall semester, you will establish a Theme Team and plan for the Theme Year. Successful themes have had an interdisciplinary team of committed faculty and staff who:

  • started planning early
  • leveraged connections within the community and across the university
  • involved students in the implementation of the theme

During the Theme Year, the Theme Team takes the lead on planning, budgeting, organizing, and coordinating theme events/activities, assessment, and communication. 

Your team will have guidance and support from the Director of IPAR, the Director of Student and Community Engagement and the LACE Committee throughout the process.

Theme Year activities typically include:

  • Theme Year signature events to kick off, to enrich, and to conclude the Theme Year
  • Events by a variety of committees and organizations on and off campus that are willing to collaborate with the Theme Team. The WSU Common Book, the WSU CLASP Lecture Series, and the Frozen River Film Festival have collaborated with previous Theme Teams.

It is also an option to pursue a legacy project that has long-term impact on the university. Prior themes have produced:

  • the installation of a bronze sculpture water fountain of three otters at Lake Park in Winona
  • local sourcing of food at the Dining Hall
  • development of the Wellness Integration toolkit
  • formation of Winona Pollinators organization
  • development of WSU inclusion and diversity policy recommendations

How to Prepare a Final Report 

At the end of the year, the Theme Team submits a Final Report (PDF) highlighting the year’s activities. This report addresses:

  • How well did the Theme Year address the 5 University Theme goals?
  • What challenges did the Theme Team experience?
  • How can the University Theme be improved?
  • How were funds used?