The academic year of 2023–2024 highlighted a significant challenge within higher education: the breakdown of constructive dialogue. Campuses experienced polarization, protests, and free speech debates, revealing a disconnect between the aspiration of colleges as beacons of democracy and the reality experienced by students, faculty, and administrators. This guide offers actionable steps for fostering “better discourse” on campus.
Colleges and universities play a vital role in preparing the next generation to participate actively and effectively in our democracy, fostering the ability to engage in dialogue across differences, bridge divides, and collaboratively address public problems. It’s imperative that these institutions rise to the occasion. This guide aims to provide a framework for intentionally cultivating spaces that encourage more productive communication.
Higher education is well-positioned to undertake this critical work. Organizations like Campus Compact have witnessed a deepening commitment to the public mission of higher education. Today, many colleges and universities possess the infrastructure, resources, and diverse knowledge necessary to support inclusive and constructive dialogue—the foundation for healthy campus communities.
Defining “Better Discourse”
Respectful, informed, and purposeful conversation across lines of difference. This type of dialogue encourages participants to explore diverse viewpoints with the intent to learn, understand, and, when possible, reach collective decisions.
About This Guide
This guide aims to help campuses address the pressing need for “better discourse,” especially as the academic year of 2024-2025 brings uncertainty. Supported by the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, it assesses campus needs and priorities through surveys, focus groups, and interviews with leaders from civil discourse organizations. It encourages reflective inquiry, alliance-building, and the advancement of constructive communication within the campus community and beyond. It is not a comprehensive list, but a starting point.
This guide is a part of the Scaling Discourse in Higher Education Project, which is supported by the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. This project expands upon initial data collection to build, curate, and disseminate resources that aid campuses in evaluating and adopting evidence-based practices for “better discourse.”
Where to Begin Your Journey
Whether you are looking to facilitate conversations on controversial topics like elections or global conflicts, or highlight inspiring work already happening on your campus, this guide is designed to support your goals. It’s a “back-to-campus” starter kit applicable to everyone in higher education, regardless of your role or experience level. It provides self-reflection prompts, a framework for mapping campus resources, and access to evidence-based practices for better discourse.
Core Values for Better Discourse
Better discourse involves sharing experiences, active listening, thoughtful questioning, and identifying common ground. Create safe and brave spaces where diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences are valued. This rests on a foundation of core values:
- Understanding your own power and positionality
- Practicing intellectual humility
- Framing issues inclusively to represent various perspectives
- Recognizing the strengths, assets, and potential of individuals
- Cultivating respectful and authentic relationships
- Taking purposeful action and engaging in ongoing reflection
A Guide for Self-Reflection: Mapping Your Starting Point
Understanding our starting point, available resources, and desired outcomes is crucial for responding effectively to crises. The following questions provide a framework for self-examination, contextual analysis, and ally identification to advance constructive dialogue on campus and in the wider community. Before implementing better discourse practices, engage in intellectual humility by actively seeking out different ideas and perspectives.
Getting Started with Self-Reflection
- Use the reflective questions below or refer to the full inquiry guide to start the reflection that is key to moving forward. The questions are designed to help you tackle challenges, overcome feelings of isolation, and address definitional struggles.
- Create a Community for Conversation. Assemble a diverse group of 5-8 individuals representing different campus units, such as student life, diversity offices, academic affairs, and community engagement.
- Practice Slow Reflection. Acknowledge the courage required to face fear. While discomfort is expected, slowing down and practicing reflection are effective strategies for de-escalation and reducing polarization.
Sources of Inspiration
These questions are drawn from experiences of practitioners and from participant input in field surveys and focus groups. They’re also inspired by the National Public Housing Museum’s 36 Questions of Civic Love, Arthur Kleinman’s explanatory questions and Magaret Wheatley’s Eight Fearless Questions.
Reflective Inquiry: Key Questions
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What does “better discourse” truly mean? What definition of civil discourse resonates with you and your campus? Who is actively involved in civil discourse work on your campus? How can you identify them? Who can offer insights?
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What are the most critical needs on campus right now? What specific discourse-related issues are you observing? What concerns do others on campus share regarding these issues? What are your biggest fears related to these challenges?
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What is the overall campus climate like? How has your campus historically approached conflict and promoted discourse? What strategies have proven successful? From whom can you gather this information? What lessons can be learned from past unsuccessful attempts?
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How can relationships be central to promoting better discourse? Who do you rely on for support? Who is an unsung hero on your campus whose work inspires you? How can you collaborate with them or learn from their expertise?
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How can we support our community and move forward effectively? What strategies have been most beneficial to you during difficult times? What are your personal strengths (“superpowers”)? What strengths does your community possess? What are your vulnerabilities (“kryptonite”)? What resources do you require to move forward?
By embracing these values and engaging in self-reflection, colleges and universities can effectively cultivate a campus environment that fosters better discourse, bridging divides and creating a more inclusive and understanding community.
