Past Programs and Series | Office of the Provost

�ǿմ�ý offers a wide range of programs and series to enhance civility and connection across our campus and community. Find past events below.

Fall Semester 2024

Critical Conversations

Critical Conversations is a monthly series sponsored by the Office of the Provost in which a panel of experts thoughtfully engage in "Critical Conversations" about important cross-disciplinary and often controversial topics. Each panel will cover several themes within the topic, such as historical, legal, societal, ethical, and medical contexts. This is followed by a rich Q&A session interaction with the audience.

Wednesday, September 11, 12-1 p.m. | Linsalata Alumni Center, Foster-Castele Great Hall

Panelists will discuss the rights and responsibilities of members of a campus community in freedom of expression.

Thursday, October 31, 12-1 p.m. | Linsalata Alumni Center, Foster-Castele Great Hall

Panelists will discuss how higher education has been discussed and leveraged in political campaigns.

Tuesday, November 5, 12-1 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center, Ballroom C

Panelists will discuss the rising mental health crisis in college-aged students and its implications from a developmental, cognitive, and pedagogical lens.

Open to all �ǿմ�ý faculty, students and staff.
Sponsor: Office of the Provost

Hard Conversations

Hard Conversations is a monthly series sponsored by the Office of the Provost that focuses on the art of having hard conversations. The events feature a panel discussion from experts on current issues and events in an informal "coffee shop" setting followed by small group discussions between audience members with an opportunity to practice their civil discourse skills in a moderated setting.

Wednesday, September 11, 7-8:30 p.m. | Linsalata Alumni Center, Foster-Castele Great Hall

Panelists will discuss the rights and responsibilities of students’ freedom of expression, emphasizing the importance of responsibly using one's voice.

Monday, October 14, 7-8:30 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center, Ballroom A

Panelists will discuss how to respectfully disagree with those we care most about on political and social issues, including how to respond when one may agree on the issue but not the means.

Wednesday, November 13, 7-8:30 pm | Tinkham Veale University Center, Ballroom A

Panelists will discuss the mental health challenges and their implications for campus with an emphasis on being one’s own advocate and supporting members of our campus community living with mental health disabilities.

Hard Conversations is designed for �ǿմ�ý students, but all campus community members are welcome to attend.
Sponsor: Office of the Provost

Diversity 360

Discover Week: August 20–August 23

This workshop both welcomes all entering graduate and undergraduate students to a �ǿմ�ý community that values diversity and inclusion and helps them join us with the skills, knowledge, and awareness needed. Early on we talk about the idea of dialogue as one of our key learning guidelines, “Dialogue is a process of genuine interaction through which human beings listen to each other deeply enough to be changed by what they learn. Each makes a serious effort to take other's concerns into their own picture, even when disagreement persists.”

Open to all incoming �ǿմ�ý students.
Sponsor: Office of Multicultural Affairs

Civic Engagement Scholars Program

Engage in Meaningful Community Connections

Enrollment deadline: September 16
The Civic Engagement Scholars Program promotes active community involvement, responsible engagement, and provides students with educational opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of community issues, ways to contribute to social change, and practice with civil discussion about challenging topics.

Open to all �ǿմ�ý students.
Sponsor: Center for Civic Engagement and Learning

Power of Diversity Lecture Series

This series includes distinguished guest speakers from the national or international scene and scholars from our own faculty. The speakers include scholars, thought leaders and diversity professionals whose research, scholarship, leadership and advocacy enhance the university's efforts to present diverse ideas, perspectives and viewpoints to inspire greater understanding and appreciation for inclusive excellence.

September 20, 12:30–2 p.m. | Linsalata Alumni House
Chad Alan Goldberg, PhD University Of Wisconsin Academic Engagement Network

November 21, 12:30–2 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center, Senior Classroom
Todd Green, PhD & Homayra Ziad, PhD, InterFaith America

Open to all �ǿմ�ý faculty, students, staff and the public.
Sponsor: Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Engagement

Rescheduled! December 4, 12:30–2 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center, Ballroom A
Homayra Ziad, PhD, InterFaith America

Open to all �ǿմ�ý faculty, students, staff and the public.
Sponsor: Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Engagement

Sustained Dialogue

The �ǿմ�ý Sustained Dialogue program brings together individuals from various backgrounds to discuss campus, local and national issues of concern, including diversity and inclusion matters.

Rhonda Fitzgerald, Executive Director, Sustained Dialogue Institute

Option 1: Virtual Workshop Series
Thursdays, September 5–November 14, 3:30–5 p.m. | Register �ǿմ�ý discount code: Free4sdcnDeepMember

Option 2: In-Person Accelerated Single-Day Training
September 8, 9–4 p.m. | 201 Thwing Student Center

The Sustained Dialogue process is a 5-stage peace process developed in the Camp David Peace Accords and published in texts such as. In this training, participants will:

Learn tools and skills to effectively navigate identity differences on campus, like active listening, asking strong questions, and inclusive language;
Practice using dialogue to talk about the things that really matter to you;
Learn how to use dialogue, not debate, during tough moments of disagreement;
Become a more empathetic and effective leader;
Learn about the SD program on campus and how SD skills can help you in your role.

Fridays, December 6-20, 1:00-5:00 p.m. | Register �ǿմ�ý discount code: Free4sdcnDeepMember

Open to all �ǿմ�ý faculty, students and staff.
Sponsor:

How to Manage Your Emotions for Better Conversations

Rhonda Fitzgerald, Executive Director, Sustained Dialogue Institute
September 6, 12:30–2 p.m. or 4–5:30 p.m.
In this interactive workshop, participants will learn, practice, connect, and recognize ways to manage emotions in difficult conversations, including how to:

Learn and practice techniques proven to decrease stress in disagreement
Connect with communities, family, and connections with different views
Recognize and express emotions in conflict
Practice with word-stems that get out of difficult conversations

Open to all �ǿմ�ý faculty, students, and staff.
Sponsor:

Building Blocks of Civil Discourse Series

Rhonda Fitzgerald, Executive Director, Sustained Dialogue Institute
Tuesdays, October 1-22 | 1–2 p.m.

This new mini-series focuses on familiarizing participants with the critical skills and tools to manage healthy dialogue and conflict, give hope, and empower individuals to engage in civil discourse. In this skills-based series, participants will learn key interactive skills that build consensus through a civil discourse approach. Each session will provide an in-depth overview of the topic and time for reflection and large group discussion.

Us and Them: Resisting Dehumanization and Polarization
How to Manage Your Emotions – Practicing Self-Regulation During Conversations
What Can Dialogue Do? Stories of Successful Dialogue
Processes and Tools for In-Group and Affinity Group Conflicts

Pre-Election Dialogue Sessions

Led by trained facilitators, students are invited to join this moderated dialogue session about the upcoming election. Students will be asked to share their thoughts in a non-judgemental one-hour session.

: Friday, October 18, 3–4 p.m. | 213 Sears

: October 30, 8–9 p.m. | Cleveland Room, Thwing Student Center

: November 1, 4–5 p.m | 13A Crawford Hall

: November 3, 1–2 p.m. | Stephanie Tubbs Jones Residence Hall First Floor Lounge

Sponsor:

Getting Along Before and After Elections

Non-Violent Communication (NVC) Method Training

Aysegul Keskin Zeren, PhD, Assistant Director for Student Experience and political science adjunct assistant professor

November 1, 12:30 p.m. | OMA Office, Sears 409
Want to communicate more effectively and peacefully, especially during election season? How will you handle things if your candidate loses – or wins? How can we learn to build bridges and not walls with one another? Learn the art of Non-Violent Communication (NVC) to express yourself clearly and empathetically. Discover how to handle disagreements with respect and understanding.

Open to all �ǿմ�ý faculty, students, and staff.
Sponsor: Office of Multicultural Affairs

University Wellness

Heidi M. Weiker, MSSA '92
Tuesdays, August 20–October 15, 12–1 p.m.

Wouldn't it be great to be able to better manage stress in your relationships at work and at home? Learn new and transformative ways to improve response versus reaction, diplomacy and respect, verbal and non-verbal communication, and more.