Furman University

Format

Theatrical and Musical Performances.

Proposals for performances should give:

1. The significance of the piece and explain its origin, extent of circulation, and other information important to understanding the piece or production. Inform the Committee as to how this information will be conveyed (e.g., through introductions and concluding statements, program notes, oral or written annotations, etc.).
2. The qualifications of the director, conductor, and/or performers. This should include their credentials, and might also include a previous performance venue, years performing, and/or critical reviews.
3. A warning regarding any material or language that might be considered offensive or particularly provocative.

Films and Documentaries

Proposals for films and documentaries should give:

1. The significance of the piece and explain its origin, extent of circulation, and other information important to understanding the film or documentary. Inform the committee as to how this information will be conveyed (e.g., through introductions and concluding statements, program notes, oral or written annotations, etc.).
2. The name(s) and credentials of a presenter or panel to frame and contextualize the film. Speaker credentials must be compelling. If the speaker is associated with Furman University, he or she will typically have a terminal degree (often a Ph.D.) in the field of focus. [The Committee recommends that the presentation and/or panel discussion should last ten to fifteen minutes, with an additional audience question-and-answer time.
3. A warning regarding any material or language that might be considered offensive or particularly provocative.
4. Proof that the presenter has secured the appropriate public performance license to show the film.  Films owned by Furman’s James B. Duke Library are already licensed for public performance. If there are questions regarding public performance licenses for films, please contact staff members in the Trone Student Center (university.center@furman.edu), or refer to the official Film & Video Public Performance Guidelines.

Panels, Lectures, and Debates.

Events that offer the presentation of ideas by experts and notable individuals should give:

1. The significance of the event by placing it in its intellectual, social, artistic, or scientific context. The committee encourages relevant Furman faculty participation. It also encourages sponsors of events featuring speakers with a particularly narrow or provocative message to include in the event a panel of individuals qualified to respond to the speaker.
2. The name(s) and credentials of the speaker(s) (as related to the topic).  Speaker credentials must be compelling and must align closely with the event topic. If the speaker(s) is associated with Furman University, he or she will typically have a terminal degree (often a Ph.D.) in an appropriate field.  If the presenter(s) is not from Furman, his or her previous speaking experience, extraordinary life experiences, and notable accomplishments may sometimes substitute for formal credentials. It is the sponsor’s duty to make a compelling case for this exception.
3. Ways in which the audience will participate in the discussion (e.g., question-and-answer period).
4. A warning regarding any material or language that might be considered offensive or particularly provocative.

If an event does not fit any of the above categories, the faculty or staff sponsor should contact the chair of the CLP Committee to discuss the proposal. Exceptions may also be made for traditional events such as university convocations.

Proposals featuring presentations of student organization work, student coursework, workshops, religious observances, charity and awareness campaigns, self-help, or “how-to” topics will not be considered.

The recommended time for events is one hour.