A host of programs and organizations on campus have worked to bring students together to engage difficult social and political issues. As two examples among many, eighty Bonner Scholars and fifty Chidsey Leadership Fellows comprise a vibrant cadre of students who serve as leaders on campus and in community settings where diverse and divergent perspective are regularly addressed. Davidson is also home to active and diverse student-led political organizations, including the Center for Political Engagement, College Libertarians, College Democrats, College Republicans, Davidson Animal Welfare Group, Young Americans for Freedom, and the Davidson Young Democratic Socialists of America. In a variety of different ways, these organizations have all been working to facilitate more conversations about important political issues.
Furthermore, Davidson students, faculty, and staff have spearheaded a host of grassroots efforts addressing matters of collective well-being, social justice, individual liberties, and purposive dialogue. While this list is certainly not exhaustive, some examples include “Common Ground,” a student organization focused on facilitating dialogue between the different affinity groups on campus; the “Do the Work Series,” a student-centered project designed to establish innovative techniques for practicing social action; the “Challenge the Policy” conversations, which allow community members to discuss openly pressing public issues; “Better Together,” a group of students from diverse faiths who seek to better understand one another’s traditions; “Soup with Substance,” where students address contemporary issues over a simple meal; and the “Public Art, Reclamation, and Social Change Mural Project,” which seeks to foster conversations about social inequality on campus.
A wide range of college programs and offices also have worked to foster more dialogue and deliberation on campus, including the Center for Civic Engagement, Chaplain’s Office, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, and Communication Studies Program. And there are many more
The DCI is excited to partner with these and other efforts and organizations. If your initiative would like to collaborate with us on hosting deliberation opportunities, please contact dci@davidson.edu.
If you would like to learn more about deliberation-related efforts being organized in the Davidson and Charlotte region, click here.
