WRITING YOUR MEMORIES OF THE PARK SQUARE YEARS

Suggestions from the ad hoc committee for the Park Square Years History Project

INTRODUCTION

Below are “PROMPTS” to help fellow UMBeings in writing/capturing their memories of attending UMB in Park Sq. 1965-1974

• There is no set template  to follow in writing up your memories
• There are no guidelines on length or format.
• Feel free to include favorite poems, song lyrics, etc.
• If you like you can submit your memories anonymously. But we hope you give the name under which you attended UMB so we can list contributions alphabetically. The COMMENTS section provides an opportunity for anonymous comments.

A model, as to what we are hoping to achieve, is the oral history captured  in Studs Terkel’s book, “ Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do”…. Terkel sat down with people of all ages and walks of life, turned on a tape recorder, let them talk, and then transcribed what they said. People’s collective musings on their work and lives created an incredibly rich mosaic of American life.  We hope that the collective Memories submitted by UMBeings will create an equally rich , authentic picture of life at UMB during the Park Sq. Years.

If it helps you can review Memories already submitted.

Writing Prompts for Students – Faculty – Staff

STAFF- PROMPTS

• Please mention the years you worked at UMB (this will enable us to list  statements chronologically)
• Why did you decide to work at UMB?
• How did your experience at UMB shape your personal and professional development?
• What was most memorable, valued about your experience at UMB?
• While you were at UMB, did you participate in any protest activities?
• Did you work before coming to UMB? If so how was your experience at UMB different from previous employment?

FACULTY- PROMPTS

• Please mention the years you taught at UMB (this will enable us to list statements chronologically)
• Why did you decide to teach at UMB?
• How did your experience at UMB shape your personal and professional development?
• What was most memorable, valued about your experience at UMB?
• While you were at UMB, did you participate in any protest activities?
• Did you teach college before coming to UMB? If so how was your experience at UMB different from previous teaching assignments?

STUDENTS-PROMPTS

• Please mention the years you attended UMB (this will enable us to list student statements chronologically)
• Why did you decide to attend UMB?
• How did your experience at UMB shape your personal and professional development?
• What was most memorable, valued about your experience at UMB?
• While you were at UMB, did you participate in any protest activities?
• Did you enroll at UMB directly from high school or did you do something other than go directly to college?

When your essay is complete, please send in any format (postal mail, email, attached MS Word document, plain text file…) to:

University Archives
Joseph P. Healey Library
University of Massachusetts Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Dorchester, MA 02125

Email: library.archives@umb.edu  

Thanks to the Ad Hoc Committee for the Park Square Years History Project:

• Esther Kingston-Mann-Retired Professor, 1968-2012-Committee Chair
• John Clifford, Alum 1967-1972? Assistant Chair
• Joe Szocik, Alum 1966-1971-Secretary
• Senior Lecturer/Alum Paul Atwood-1969-Present
• David Vitale-Alum. 1969-1973
• Joe Carpenito
• Igor Webb-Former Professor
• Doug Clifford Alum 1968-1973
• Walter MacDonald- Former Staff member

For more information about the formation of the committee and the development of the project, see “The Park Square Years History Project“