University of Pennsylvania
ER-T2-8: Themed Semester or Year

The 2010-2011 Academic Theme Year was The Year of Water. In partnership with the Year of Water, the annual Penn Reading Project (a reading assignment for all incoming freshmen, accompanied by a series of orientation activities) was "The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters" by Rose George. Penn Reading Project activities were coordinated with the Year of Water programming, and included a lecture to all freshmen by Ms. George, a Penn Alum and scholar. The Year of Water Grants Program offered members of the Penn community grants up to $750 for water-related projects – conservation, education, efficiency, and awareness. https://secure.www.upenn.edu/themeyear/water/ The 2011 - 2012 academic theme year was the Year of Games. Symposia, exhibits, performances, etc. spotlighted the role of games, and “gamification” as a strategy to effect behavior change and to make work more rewarding. The Green Campus Partnership built upon the Year of Games activities through Penn’s Power Down Challenge, a college house energy competition, and participating in RecycleMania, a nationwide recycling competition. https://secure.www.upenn.edu/themeyear/games/