For many college students, orientation is full of icebreakers, campus tours, and speeches about school traditions. But at Denison University, incoming classes are experiencing something different: a debate. The goal is to model productive conversations about divisive issues from a student’s very first moment on campus. Denison organized a debate for the Class of 2028 on the question: Should colleges and universities reinstate SAT/ACT requirements for admission?
Why Debate?
Denison Professor Adam Davis, who founded the program now led by professor Diana Mafe, explains the motivation behind integrating debates into orientation:
“We started making the debates a centerpiece of first-year orientation so as to normalize open inquiry and constructive dialogue across difference as core values of a liberal arts education. The timing of this participatory debate, which also includes a workshop where students reflect on the debate experience, is critical, since it sets a tone and an expectation just as students are about to embark on their first college courses.”
Professor Davis emphasizes that introducing these values from the start can influence interactions across campus:
“Our hope is that the orientation debate helps empower students to listen, question, and engage with different viewpoints in the classroom as well in residence halls, dining halls, and co-curricular activities. And the orientation debate is also a great feeder for our many student-organized campus debates throughout the academic year, part of our College Debates and Discourse club.”
Learning to Engage
Hear from first-year student Lucy Doyle ’28 on how participating in the debate was an eye-opening experience:
“Participating in the debate reminded me of the importance of keeping an open mind, even when you feel strongly about something. Throughout the debate, I found myself questioning my own preconceived notions and considering ideas I hadn’t thought of before.”
Lucy saw the debate as an introduction to Denison’s culture:
“The debate introduced me to the kinds of students we have on campus here at Denison. Everyone who participated was engaged and passionate about their opinions on the topic. Though the debate was not centered upon a controversial topic, I could tell that students were making an effort to acknowledge and respect opinions different from their own, a skill that is crucial in today’s increasingly polarized political climate. It demonstrated to me that Denison students are intellectually curious and passionate about learning, making me excited to engage in classes and extracurriculars with them.”
Learn more about Denison’s approach to orientation here.
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