To participate in the program, students form small groups, between three and seven people, and invite a professor to lunch or dinner at Amherst Chinese, Il Pirata, Pasta E Basta, The Pub, Panda East or Paradise of India. The College pays for the meal.
In the past, the program has been very successful, with large numbers of freshmen participating.
"I think that the TYPO program is a great idea and facilitates what is, in essence, the liberal arts experience," said John Lhost '04.
"I got to know a great professor who I later made my advisor," said Stacey Kepler '04.
Administrative Assistant to the Dean of New Students Heather Wojtowicz, who helps facilitate the program, said that the expansion of TYPO to the upperclassmen is "due to the hard work and campaigning of Lincoln Mayer '04. This was entirely his doing."
"TYPO is an excellent program that fosters the building of community outside the classroom," said Mayer. "A program that has such potential should be available to the whole student body."
Mayer met success last spring when Dean of the Faculty Lisa Raskin authorized a grant to expand TYPO to upperclassmen.
It is expected that many students will take advantage of the expanded TYPO program because many said that they found the program to provide a rewarding experience.
"I expect a substantial turnout," said Mayer. "I think the upperclassmen will be eager to participate in this program, either again or for the first time. The better the turnout, the easier it will be to get the program funded in the future."
Wojtowicz also anticipates that upperclassmen will take advantage of TYPO. "I've spoken with many upperclassmen who are delighted that TYPO is going to include them, and I think we're going to see a lot of really positive student/faculty interaction as a result," she said.
Wojtowitz expects a particularly strong turnout from the senior class, who did not have TYPO as first-years as the program was first begun the freshman year of the class of '04. The seniors will be given a three-week head-start in order to give them a chance to arrange dates with their professors before the rest of the students.
"A thanks is owed to Dean Raskin who was enthusiastic about the program and contributed funding to the program," said Mayer.
According to Wojtowicz, the expanded TYPO will be permanent, and if the change is successful, funding will be increased next year.