FROM THE ROOFTOPCURIOUSNESS

The Newsletter of THE FROMM INSTITUTE FOR LIFELONG LEARNINGAT THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO

The Fromm Institute For Lifelong Learning at the University of San Francisco2130 Fulton Street • San Francisco, CA 94117 • 415-422-6805 (t) • fromm@usfca.edu (e) • fromm.usfca.edu (w)

Issue #5 •Feb. 27, 2017DO TELL...COURSE EVALUATIONS NOW AVAILABLEOne of those memorable characters that crosses your life

briefly, but leaves a lasting impression, was a neighbor of mine inD.C. named Millie Calhoun. She had ‘oodles’ of charm and a uniqueway of cajoling you into sharing the latest in your life or what wasgoing on around Irving Street, N.E. She knew something abouteveryone and was always up for neighborhood ‘news.’

How’d she do it? When she’d see you she might sweetly say,“I couldn’t help but notice your lights on late last night.” When you’dreply you were entertaining, she’d come back with her predictablymelodious, “You don’t say.” If you weren’t quick enough to realizewhat she was up to, and you’d mention you had a friend over fordinner, she’d launch her famous follow-up, “Do tell.” Like a stripedbass in the Chesapeake Bay, you were hooked before you evenknew that Millie Calhoun had set out on a fishing expedition. Bythe time you heard her “thanks n’ bye,” she’d know all about the meal, just who was consuming it with you, and what wasgoing on after dessert.

With the 2017 Winter Session ending, there’s only one administrative task left. Until the end of “Make-Up” Week,in every classroom you’ll find a generic Course Evaluation Form and a box for its return. Its presence there, and thisannouncement, hopefully will remind you of the value your assessment plays in determining our academic future.How a class was received is an important determinant in our planning, and without you commenting here, theInstitute doesn’t have a reliable clue as to how the session went. Sure, students let us know when a great lectureoccurs, and there’s always a drumbeat when something isn’t working to expectations. Missing from that anecdotalreporting is the stated opinions of many, and without that consensus, any judgment would be flawed.

In the past, it was usual for about two-thirds of a class to evaluate. Recently though, that number has beendiminishing, and that’s a trend we’d like to reverse. That’s why we’re pressing the indefatigable, inquiring spirit ofMillie Calhoun into service.

“Do tell.” Let us know how you’d rate the course content and your professor’s ability to convey it. On a scale of1 (poor) to 5 (excellent), rate those attributes. Using the same scale, offer your overall opinion of the class explainingin as many words as you need why you evaluated it the way you did. Then, turn it over. On the back, register yourfeedback about the Fromm Institute in general. This Program Evaluation is where you can record constructivecriticism about our general attributes and shortcomings. This needs to be completed only once.

“Do tell,” and don’t miss this opportunity to register your feelings about current classes and ideas for futurecourses. Our Evaluations are easy to complete and your opinions, when gathered collectively, will give us that truesnapshot of how the Fromm Institute and its faculty did this Winter.

Make Millie proud. Complete a Course Evaluation today. Remember, the evaluation process lasts through theend of the session, so act now. Give us your opinion of where we’ve done well and where there’s room forimprovement, but remember, the focus of course evaluations is academic. While Millie Calhoun might be able to,it’s beyond the Institute’s power to influence landscaping color or cafeteria fare.

Robert Fordham, Executive Director . . . and Millie’s old Neighbor

“Millie Calhoun (center) and her Irving Streetneighbors are waiting to hear from you.”

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The Fromm Institute For Lifelong Learning at the University of San Francisco2130 Fulton Street • San Francisco, CA 94117 • 415-422-6805 (t) • fromm@usfca.edu (e) • fromm.usfca.edu (w)

ENROLLING FOR SPRING CLASSES

The 2017 Spring Course Catalog will beon-line and on its way through the U.S.Mail on Tues., March 7, after 5 p.m.Spring Pre-Enrollment, that time wheneverybody has an equal chance ofgetting all their first-choice classes, runsfrom Wed., Mar. 8 through 3 p.m. Fri.,Mar. 10. If that seems early for classesthat begin the week of April 10,remember that nearly 1,000 people Pre-Enroll. For the eager among returningstudents, (new students must wait toMar. 8) you can avoid emailing orphoning your enrollment choices ifyou’re sure of your classes based on thenewsletter (Issue #4) published coursetitles and professors teaching them. Pickup an Earli-Enroll Form in the FrommInstitute Office. Select your classes andleave a check or pay in-person by creditcard. We’ll cash your check/process yourcredit card and keep your application,handling it right along with all the othersreceived before 3 p.m. on Fri., Mar. 10.Enrollment confirmations will be mailedafter March 15. Enrolling early is a greatway to get your Spring Sessionregistration out of the way. As noted,your applications will be randomlyprocessed with all the others receivedduring the Pre-Enrollment Period.There’s no preferential advantage toEarli-Enrollment, but you’ll have thepeace of mind that you’ve taken care ofbusiness before this session ends.

BEFORE THE SESSION ENDSA sincere ‘thank you’ to all 1287 students who were a part of our2017 Winter Session. With just a few more classes to go, it isalready one for the books. It was our pleasure to have such adedicated student body around us and we hope that at a futuretime, perhaps next session, that you’ll consider enrolling at theFromm Institute once again. From Carla, Scott, Herbert, Dawaand Robert, and on behalf of the Winter faculty, may the“Rooftop” express for them their joy in having you here inFromm Hall during the wet but wonderful months of Januaryand February. Enjoy a Spring Break!

“MAKE-UP” WEEK SCHEDULEThere’s always the chance that one or more classes may meetbeyond the eight-week routine of a Fromm Institute Session.This 2017 Winter Session reinforces that fact as classes cancelledby a holiday(s) or professor’s absence are numerous. Here arethose courses that will have one more class scheduled during“Make-Up” Week, March 6 through 9. All courses meet at theirregularly scheduled time and regularly scheduled classrooms.

Mon. 03/06 All Six Monday Courses Meet (3 at 10 a.m./3 at 1 p.m.)

Tues. 03/07 Prof. Fracchia: “History of the Russian Revolution”Prof. Evers: “Venice With & Without the Medici”(2 at 10.am.)

Thurs.03/09 Prof. Hohmann: “Hist. of the Roman Empire”

ONE WONDER REMAINING After seven wonderful lectures in the Wonders of Science Series, the eighth and lastwill be held on Wednesday, March. 1 at 10 a.m. in the Xavier Auditorium. As istraditional, and our honor, the Series wraps up with a special report from its coordinator,Jerold Lowenstein, M.D. His “2017 Science Update” looks over many amazingaccomplishments and several scientific trends. In this concluding presentation, Dr.Lowenstein will touch on the topics raised from the previous weeks and give us freshinsights, as only he can.

MICHAEL ZIMMERMAN ON JAMES JOYCEProfessor Michael Zimmerman is pleased to announce that hisnew book, Tyrants of the Heart: A Psychoanalytic Study ofJames Joyce’s Mothers and Maternal Images will be publishedin July by International Psychoanalytic Books. It should beavailable at Amazon or other booksellers during the summer.

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