History of Cutie's Office Hours
(by Dean Hui-Ching Chang)
FIRs are asked to come up with a “signature program.” I moved in to JST just a little before Cutie joined us, and had been wondering how best to name my program. Then I had a sudden insight: since I thought students would love to play with Cutie, Cutie should have regular “office hours” so he can receive students. Naturally, my program was titled, “Cutie’s Office Hours.”
Just a week after I adopted Cutie, I invited a group of PAP-Honors students to my apartment to play with Cutie. Cutie was magnificent—although only 4 months old, he came out to play with all seven students, friendly and gracious. His reputation was then spread quickly as a very friendly JST "feline-in-residence."
I decided to offer the program once a week, as a time for residents to come to play with Cutie and chat with each other, while I’d prepare some tea and snacks, as a good host. My first year was challenging—as a new program and having yet to learn how to better publicize the event, it was not uncommon to just have a handful of students stopping by each week. I was very pleased that two JST residents—CJ and Brandon, both on the gymnastics—came to Cutie’s Office Hours every week without exception, including the finals week. Apparently, Brandon has a cat who looks like Cutie, and CJ, as Brandon’s best friend, decided to join Brandon. They apparently also liked the fruit tea I cooked and I know Cutie had a great relationship with both of them as well ☺
I might not have persisted in offering the program had Brandon and CJ not offered their support throughout the year. I now call them the “co-founders of Cutie’s Office Hours”—they totally deserve that designation, as they experienced the rocky path of that first year!
As Cutie’s Office Hours became better known—thanks to the promotion and support of JST staff members and Honors College colleagues, and the good words spread by those who'd joined us—I saw an increase in participants. I also started to invite faculty, staff, and other visitors, each week, to join the fun, and have been able to maintain a vibrant program every Thursday!
I always said that there are six things that make the program successful: Cutie and Yuki (they continue to be very gracious hosts); my guests; my fruit tea, chicken soup, and Frango chocolates.
