Below is an overview of some campus activities: 

Boise State University hosts numerous events through its Institute for Advancing American Values and partner units to advance civil dialogue and knowledge of the democratic process. Annual events include:  

• Distinguished Lecture Series: a free series that hosts speakers on matters of civic dialogue, democracy, and policy. Speakers have included:  NYT columnist David Brooks, Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Riley, NYT ethicist Anthony Appiah, Harvard political theorist Danielle Allen, Cornel West and Robert George, and more.   

• Idaho Listens: a statewide depolarization project that gathers speakers from a variety of backgrounds to speak about what they value and why. They speak to an audience that remains silent to ensure uninterrupted listening to a cross-section of values and ideas. We have hosted five events across the state, covering more than 800 miles. Idaho Public Television produced an award-winning documentary about this effort to spur Idahoans to talk and listen to one another about what matters most. 

• Boise State Listens: mirrors the Idaho Listens program for the campus and features speakers from a cross-section of our student body to speak about what they value and why.  

• Campus Conversation Series: five times a semester the Institute convenes faculty and staff to discuss salient issues facing higher education. Topics include academic freedom, university role (or not) during moments of heightened political tension, the “business” of higher education, shared governance, and more. These events are designed to build community and allow faculty and staff regular interactions and opportunities to explore the variety of perspectives that exist on campus.

Boise State is in the middle of its Dialogue for Democracy initiative, a program designed to familiarize the campus and community with events/discussions focused on the democratic process. The following events have occurred or will occur under Dialogue for Democracy:  

• An election security panel featuring representatives from the Idaho Secretary of State’s office, County Clerk’s office, and Boise State Faculty.   

• Institute for Advancing American Values Undergraduate Fellows have planned several student engagement opportunities including presidential/vice presidential debate watch parties and an upcoming forum featuring a Democratic legislator and the Republican Lt. Governor to offer their perspectives on the presidential candidates.  

• A school choice panel featuring legislators, representatives from the Idaho Home School Association, and a representative from the national organization EdChoice.   

• An America at 250 Curriculum initiative to enhance or develop courses focused on American history, civics, and values in anticipation of America’s semiquincentennial in 2026.