Campus Engagement Tip: Creating Forums for Civil Dialogue

National surveys have highlighted a need for additional guidance and education for college students regarding constructive dialogue and sharing their perspectives on tough questions.

In the most recent Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression free speech survey, 17 percent of students said that, at least a couple of times a week, they feel like they cannot express their opinion on a subject because of how other campus community members would respond. An August survey of American college students fielded by North Dakota State University found 30 percent of students are not comfortable talking about controversial topics in class, and a 2023 study from the Constructive Dialogue Institute found 45 percent of students are afraid to express their opinions out of fear of offending their peers.

One of the challenges for higher education leaders is creating intentional spaces to teach and deliver information on civil discourse.

Inside Higher Ed compiled four examples of how colleges and universities are engaging students in constructive dialogue and free speech education this fall.

1. In the first-year seminar. Incoming students often receive study tips, information about how to navigate higher education and community building skills in their first-year seminar. This year, some colleges and universities are focusing on civil dialogue skills, as well. The University of Pennsylvania has offered first-year seminars for years, but this fall, 10 of those seminars are also incorporating respectful dialogue training. Around 150 students are participating in the pilot, which launched with a group film viewing the day before classes start. After watching the movie, students gathered to eat dinner and discuss, supported by their professor and an upper-level student who serves as a learning assistant.

“A lot of the same exercises, discussions, tools that you would use to build a sense of belonging are also going to help you learn how to be more critical in your thinking in a way that doesn’t oppress another group but is respectful, a way that is helping you have an opinion, learn a bit more, change your mind,” Molly McGlone, associate dean and director of academic affairs, shared in a university news story.

2. Through faculty development. The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Academic Innovation Department will debut a Civil Discourse Faculty Learning Community later this month to improve faculty members’ skills in fostering respectful dialogue in their courses. Over eight weeks, the community will help professors develop and implement their own teaching strategies for civil debate and discussion to incorporate into their courses. At the end of program, professors will know the principles and importance of civil discourse, best practices and how to integrate activities as well as have a supportive network of colleagues working toward the same goal, according to the program’s website.

Professors from all disciplines can apply and may receive a $500 stipend for their participation.

3. During orientation. As part of new student onboarding this year, Vanderbilt University’s chancellor, Daniel Diermeier, hosted an event for first-year students to discuss free expression at the university and how to engage in civil discourse. In his address, Diermeier shared three pillars of free expression—open forums, institutional neutrality and civil discourse. The event concluded with a student-led discussion about free expression, hosted by the student newspaper’s editor in chief.
4. Across institutions. Unify America offers students the opportunity to engage with peers across the country in the Unify Challenge College Bowl. The virtual event pairs thousands of students from different geographical and institutional backgrounds in one-on-one conversations to discuss 16 hot-button issues. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock joined the bowl this fall, hoping to target student groups or courses to help learners understand the power of different perspectives.

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