Our campuses and our words are enriched, our communities become more equitable and we develop open-minded leaders when we explore and are open to discussing and debating a range of ideas and perspectives, freely expressed, while understanding these ideals within the context of the historical experiences of diverse communities.
- Lori S. White
Activation Plan
Below is an overview of some campus activities:
DePauw is concentrating on two efforts on campus in Fall 2024 around first-year student programming.
- The first component is a first-year orientation session on free expression at DePauw, which asks students to consider the need to uplift diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and free expression within our community. This session reviews the tools and skills necessary to navigate dialogue and build community within DePauw’s diverse community context. This is the third consecutive year this program has been integrated into the new student orientation schedule.
- The second component is a series of first-year experience courses, twelve of which (approximately half) are oriented towards civic preparedness, engagement, and dialogue work, designed by the faculty who will teach these courses. One course, titled ‘Bold Conversations in an Age of Polarization,’ is described as “…teaching students how to have effective and respectful conversations on sensitive topics surrounding contemporary society. This class will introduce students to various perspectives on a given issue and encourage them to engage in honest and constructive discourse with those who hold divergent viewpoints.”
Lori S. White
President, DePauw University
Related articles:
15 College Presidents Unite to Advance Civic Preparedness Across the Country
AEI’s Restoring Free Inquiry & Civility in Higher Education Webinar
61 College Presidents Unite to Advance Civic Preparedness and Uphold Free Expression on U.S. Campuses
College Presidents for Civic Preparedness Convening at Howard University
Just released – From Polarization to Progress: College Presidents Join Forces
Join the growing consoritum of campus leaders urgently committed to collectively restoring higher education’s role in democracy.
Lori S. White
President, DePauw University
Below is an overview of some campus activities:
DePauw is concentrating on two efforts on campus in Fall 2024 around first-year student programming.
- The first component is a first-year orientation session on free expression at DePauw, which asks students to consider the need to uplift diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and free expression within our community. This session reviews the tools and skills necessary to navigate dialogue and build community within DePauw’s diverse community context. This is the third consecutive year this program has been integrated into the new student orientation schedule.
- The second component is a series of first-year experience courses, twelve of which (approximately half) are oriented towards civic preparedness, engagement, and dialogue work, designed by the faculty who will teach these courses. One course, titled ‘Bold Conversations in an Age of Polarization,’ is described as “…teaching students how to have effective and respectful conversations on sensitive topics surrounding contemporary society. This class will introduce students to various perspectives on a given issue and encourage them to engage in honest and constructive discourse with those who hold divergent viewpoints.”
Our campuses and our words are enriched, our communities become more equitable and we develop open-minded leaders when we explore and are open to discussing and debating a range of ideas and perspectives, freely expressed, while understanding these ideals within the context of the historical experiences of diverse communities.
- Lori S. White