Diversity Dialogues

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What are Diversity Dialogues?

This is an initiative from the office of the Vice Provost for Campus Climate and Department of Counseling Psychology. Diversity Dialogues are 90-minute discussions in small groups of approximately 8 - 10 students. The groups of students are drawn from courses meeting the ethnic studies requirement across campus.

How are dialogues different from debates or discussions?

Debates tend to be adversarial interactions trying to convince others to change their point of view.  Discussions are usually analytic forms of academic engagement focused on sharing of ideas.  In contrast, dialogues focus on the sharing and learning of personal perspectives and experiences and encourage some sense of community.

GOAL
The goal of this initiative is to increase students’ awareness and skills about campus diversity and provide an opportunity to learn and share experiences about diversity with other students.

FOCUS
The dialogues focus on students' experiences/reactions related to diversity, challenges associated with diversity, and opportunities for future involvement in diversity.

GROUPS
The groups of students are drawn from courses meeting the ethnic studies requirement across campus.

FACILITATORS
The dialogues are facilitated by graduate and upper-level undergraduate students who are there to promote an open and respectful atmosphere for exploring, expressing, and learning about diversity issues. The facilitators are not there to teach or preach to students.

PAST EXPERIENCES
Previous students have found the dialogues were open, honest, and engaging discussions.