Campus Unscripted Events Series

These universities are reaching students, and the campus community, through special events focused on productive dialogue. 

 

Stetson University 

 

At Stetson University, values aren’t just words—they’re brought to life every year during Values Day when classes are canceled to reflect on personal growth, intellectual development, and global citizenship. But 2024’s theme pushed the conversation even further: What Should Stetson’s Values Be? It sparked a campuswide discussion, encouraging the Stetson community to challenge and reimagine the university’s guiding ideals. A staff member, faculty member, and student share what makes this tradition so special.

 

Learn more. 

 

University of Tulsa

According to Peter Slevin, a writer for The New Yorker, writers and journalists “aren’t dead yet.” In fact, Slevin says writers and journalists are more crucial than ever in a world where misinformation runs rampant. A recent University of Tulsa Switchyard program event, “Covering Chaos,” convened journalists, students, and media practitioners from The Atlantic, The New Yorker, and The New York Times. Topics ranged from fear as a political tactic to fighting against the trend of false narratives that shape public perception. Panelists urged attendees to be vigilant truth-seekers, combat misinformation, and apply ethical journalism practices, emphasizing the human responsibility in delivering accurate news.

 

Learn more. 

 

University of Denver 

Each year, the University of Denver hosts a Spark conference, focusing on skill-building for difficult conversations. The goal of the event is to develop students into critical thinkers and active citizens, preparing them for democratic participation. This year’s program focuses on skill-building for difficult conversations, the role of social media, harm caused on the internet, and the contested value of higher education. Attendees will put their discourse skills into practice to debate whether higher education is living up to its value proposition. The format introduces the skills needed for rigorous, passionate conversations and then sets students up with the practical aspect of executing those skills outside the classroom. 

 

Learn more.