We’ll all stick together, in all kinds of weather.
That famous line from Nebraska U.’s fight song sums up the spirit of civil discourse.
Huskers don’t agree on everything. But we don’t judge ourselves by how neatly we all agree.
We judge ourselves by how we can disagree – sometimes passionately – and still move forward together.
About the Civil Discourse Initiative
Civil Discourse is the practice of engaging across differences in ways that seek to expand knowledge, respect perspectives, and moves us toward rediscovering common ground.
The initiative brings together campus and community partners to provide a safe and supportive space for Huskers to explore their individual comfort with different conversations, learn effective communication strategies, and practice engaging in dialogue.
For students, staff, and faculty
Learn in a workshop.
This event provides a space for participants to explore their individual comfort with different conversations, learn effective communication strategies, and practice engaging in courageous dialogue. The program is being facilitated in partnership with LeaderShape.
Group size: 15-30 individuals
FOR STUDENTS
Engage in a 1 on 1 Conversation.
Get your students talking — and thinking — about democracy. This one-hour national event pairs students from different schools and perspectives for one-on-one conversations about elections, representation, and what civic engagement really means. Bring Your Students Into a National Conversation on Voting & Representation
Monday, November 3 at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. CST | Presented by ALL IN and Unify America
RSVP HereFor students
Be a Dialogue Fellow.
Huskers are invited to serve as a dialogue fellow to support events and advance the goals of dialogue across campus. Dialogue Fellows serve on a committee that helps with planning events and developing resources.
This is a volunteer position and the team meets bi-weekly.
Go to applicationFacilitating Safe and Civil Discourse
BALANCING ACADEMIC FREEDOM WITH SAFE AND CIVIL BEHAVIOR ON OUR CAMPUS
Teaching and learning are our most important academic endeavors, and in a climate where faculty are reporting unprecedented levels of incivility in their classrooms, we must balance academic freedom with safe and civil behavior on our campus.
View Tipsheet HereTake the Civic Readiness Quiz
This online assessment developed by Civic Nebraska will help you and your group evaluate the civic capacities to make progress on a particular issue or project that was discussed during a civil conversation.
Go to the QuizRequest a film screening of PURPLE
PURPLE tells the story of Americans with opposing viewpoints confronting their disagreements head-on and discovering the concerns and experiences that lie behind each other's positions.
Learn MoreElection Stress
Although the election process can feel overwhelming, you can practice coping skills that will help you manage difficult emotions.
Check in with your mental health and develop a self-care plan that makes sense for you.
Learn MoreQuestions? Send a message to Andrew Brown, abrown103@nebraska.edu