Often scholars stumble upon great ideas, whether it be at a conference or in a journal article or in conversation at the supermarket, and their excitement about the idea fizzles when they discover no one else shares their enthusiasm for it.

Through its monthly Pasta Presentations, Creative Campus Initiative is providing a forum for people in the University community to exchange these ideas.

On the last Friday of each month, Creative Campus invites students, faculty, and staff to enjoy a free lunch while a University scholar presents an idea. The presentation serves as a springboard for discussion and, hopefully, collaboration.

During the first Pasta Presentation of the Spring 2008 semester, Stephen Black, director of the UA Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility, presented on "Social Entrepreneurship and Creativity." His talk spurred Creative Campus Intern Christine Palma to action.

Palma said she would like to put together a student-directed call for service learning in the curriculum. The idea is for all students to have to meet a service requirement to graduate, and this requirement could be met by taking courses designated as "service learning," much like some courses are designated to meet the University's writing requirement.

"A big part of this is that it would be student-initiated," Palma said. "We need to get student leaders on board saying, 'We really need this.'"

Palma said that Black has agreed to help her in that endeavor.

According to Creative Campus Director Scott Bridges, such collaboration is the goal of the Pasta Presentations, and of Creative Campus in general.

"It’s an exchange of creativity, innovation, and vision," he said.