Each year, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHaSS) brings scholars, writers, and public figures to campus to deliver talks and to interact with students, faculty, and the USU community. Endowed by the O.C. Tanner Foundation, the Tanner Talks Series has touched on a wide variety of topics in recent years, from the Global Renaissance to the AI Revolution. CHaSS enthusiastically invites faculty to create preliminary proposals for next academic year that seek to bring notable scholars, writers, speakers, and public figures to USU on topics related to the humanities and social sciences. Proposals may be for individual speakers or for a series of speakers in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.
Applications are due October 31
Individual Speaker proposals (2-3 pages) should include:
- A lead faculty member as a point of contact and any supporting faculty’s names
- Speaker’s name and institutional affiliations (if applicable)
- Speaker’s contact information
- Brief (500 word) rationale for bringing the speaker to campus
- Detailed list of events (talk, interactions with students, workshops, class visits, etc.)
- Possible dates discussed with the speaker (please avoid Spring Break)
- Funding collaborators (required)*
- Preliminary budget (not to exceed $2,500 from the Tanner Talks)
Speaker Series proposals (3-4 pages) should include:
- A lead faculty member as a point of contact and any supporting faculty’s names
- Title for series theme
- Speakers’ names and institutional affiliations (if applicable)
- Speakers’ contact information
- Rationale for bringing the speakers to campus (1,000 words max)
- Detailed list of events (talk, interactions with students, workshops, class visits, etc.)
- Possible dates discussed with speakers (please avoid Spring Break)
- Funding collaborators (required)*
- Preliminary budget (not to exceed $5,000 from the Tanner Talks)
A committee of CHaSS faculty and staff will review preliminary proposals and make recommendations on suitability and funding. Following this first round review, the lead faculty proposer will work with the Tanner Talks Committee Chair and CHaSS staff to finalize their proposals in light of the committee’s review. Final decisions will be sent to faculty by late February.
*Funding Collaborators: To maximize the Tanner Talks Series budget and to ensure the events reach a wide campus and community audience, funding collaborators are required. The Tanner Talks Committee Chair can help direct you to possible contributors. Preliminary proposals should identify at least one possible funding collaborator. Other colleges, departments, and college units as well as community organizations are all possible collaborators.
Questions? Contact Associate Dean & Committee Chair Julia Gossard (Julia.Gossard@usu.edu)
Timeline for Tanner Talks Proposals
| August & September 2024 | Dean’s Office Solicits Preliminary Proposals for the following academic year |
|---|---|
| October 31 by 5:00PM | Preliminary Proposals due to CHaSS@usu.edu |
| November 2024 | Preliminary Screening by Tanner Talks Committee |
| December 2024 | First Round Notifications Sent to Faculty |
| January 2025 | First Round Acceptances work with Tanner Talks Committee Chair & CHaSS Staff to finalize proposal details |
| February 1, 2025 | Final Proposals due to CHaSS@usu.edu |
| Late February 2025 | CHaSS Final Decisions Made |
Responsibilities of Tanner Talks Faculty Hosts
By applying, those faculty listed as lead faculty agree to serve as “hosts” for the events outlined in the application. The following details the responsibilities of faculty hosts and the CHaSS Dean’s Office in planning and executing Tanner Talks:
Faculty Host(s)
- Communicates with the invited speakers regarding speaker fees, activities to perform, and available potential dates.
- Works with the Dean’s Office to coordinate all travel (host may need to provide transportation to the speaker both to/from SLC Airport and locally).
- Arranges the speakers’ schedule while they are here.
- Explains the expectations of the visit to the speaker.
- Works with the CHaSS Communications Team to design marketing materials at least 6 weeks in advance of the visit.
- Promotes the visit by hanging posters, drafting emails to circulate, inviting colleagues, etc.
- Responsible for finding co-sponsors (Tanner Chair can assist).
- Responsible for staying within budget.
- Uses the Dean’s Office P-card for meals and purchases, keeping and turning in receipts.
CHaSS Dean's Office Staff
- Makes all travel and lodging arrangements.
- Reserves rooms for activities (if Department cannot).
- Helps market the talk using the materials provided by the faculty host(s).
- Makes catering orders (if applicable).
- Enhances marketing led by faculty host including social media.
- Adds event to USU events calendar using information provided by host.
- Arranges payments negotiated by host for speakers fees.