After a student government conference at Baylor University last year, one student began to dream up big plans to promote recreational reading on campus. Starting today, this student will finally see “One Book, One TCU,” become a reality.

Brett Major, a senior psychology major and former student body vice president, said people spend too much time in front of the TV, surfing the web and playing video games. Student Development Services and the Student Government Association joined together to promote “One Book, One TCU,” which encourages faculty, staff and students to read the same book.

A committee made up of students, faculty and staff chose the book “Tuesdays with Morrie,” by Mitch Albom.

Albom will speak about the book in the DJ Kelly Alumni Center on Oct. 15. He will also discuss his most recent book, “Have a Little Faith,” Major said.

“The book has great themes and life lessons that I think will really get our campus thinking and talking,” Major said. “I hope this program will be the start of a long tradition here at TCU.”

Today, outside of Market Square from noon to 2 p.m., 350 books donated from SDS will be passed out for free, said Matt Dietrichson, junior political science major and current student body vice president. Books can also be picked up in the Student Affairs office in the Brown-Lupton University Union, Suite 2003, or requested to be sent to a TCU mailbox by going to onebook.tcu.edu.

Books must be turned in to the Student Affairs office once read, Dietrichson said. If the books have all been distributed, students will be placed a wait list until the books are returned. At the end of the year, the books will go to a local high school to encourage reading and promote a similar program.

Dietrichson said to look out for several discussions on campus about the book concerning themes such as mentoring, the meaning of life, death and dying and values. SDS and SGA welcome all TCU community members to attend, but an RSVP is required by calling 817-257-7855.

Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 3 p.m., Informal discussion over ice cream on the 1873 patio.

Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 12 p.m., A men’s roundtable on mentoring led by Daniel Terry in the Market Square Private Dining Room

Thursday, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m., author Mitch Albom speaks about his book in the DJ Kelly Alumni Center

Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 12:30 p.m., Rev. Angela Kaufman on the meaning of life

Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 12 p.m., Michael Katovich on death and dying

Thursday, Nov. 5 at 12:30 p.m., Ron Pitcock on values