One of the most important issues facing American higher education today is finding ways to ensure a campus environment that is inclusive as well as diverse while promoting freedom of expression and the academic dynamism that depends upon it. Pomona is deeply committed both to free speech, including the right to protest, and to advancing the needs of a diverse, inclusive and rigorous academic community.
For these reasons, the Pomona College Board of Trustees has established a Task Force on Public Dialogue, charged with exploring ways in which Pomona can be a leader in developing a 21st-century-appropriate educational model that combines support for free expression and democratic principles with a commitment to ensuring an equitable and inclusive environment for all.
The Task Force will seek an understanding of the context in which clashes over the values of free expression, inclusiveness and rigorous inquiry occur and explore effective and innovative practices for balancing these three key values within a diverse academic community. Ultimately, the group is tasked with making broad recommendations to the President and the Board concerning ways in which Pomona can continue to build a more inclusive community while modeling engagement and openness in the public sphere.
Resources
External Partners
Bridging the Gap
Who are they: Bridging the Gap (BTG) teaches students and campus professionals how to truly listen, understand, be heard, and seek common ground to positively impact their communities without comprising deeply held values. Our approach involves skill-building, encounters, and direct application. The skills of listening, story-telling, and engaging tension constructively are at the heart of the BTG experience. Students will learn and then practice these skills by directly engaging with people on or off their campus who have different views, values, and/or experiences.
For Whom: Pomona students.
What: Pomona College is partnering with Biola University to participate in a program called “Bridging the Gap” that teaches one how to have courageous conversations with individuals who may have significantly different viewpoints. Bridging the Gap, an organization founded by Simon Greer who developed “Courageous Conversations”, has paired Pomona College, a secular liberal arts college with Biola University, a conservative Christian university. (Pomona has extended the invitation to all 5C students to participate.) Through this program students will engage in facilitated conversations and activities where opinions may drastically differ. It will give you a chance to meet other college students outside of Claremont, further develop your communication skills, and explore topics generated by the group of participants.
Learn More:
Sign Up: avis.hinkson@xingtaiyichuang.com
Sustained Dialogue Institute (SDI)
Who are they: Sustained Dialogue is a unique initiative that brings together students, faculty and staff who would not usually cross paths to talk about issues they might shy away from. It creates the right setting for open exchanges. The ongoing conversations help to deepen our understanding over time, making them truly “sustained.” The Sustained Dialogue Campus Network is the campus-focused branch of our work, where we train thousands of students, faculty, and staff each year to create dialogue-to-action initiatives.
For Whom: Faculty, Students, and Staff can all participate in Sustained Dialogue opportunities.
What: Looking to offer something specific for your club, unit, or group? Sample offerings below and full offerings can be viewed on the Offerings spreadsheet. SDI can provide tailored workshops, an expansive virtual skill series, to effectively address conflicts and build a thriving community with specific pathways related to:
- skills, concepts, and tools for improving relations across background and difference
- listening and question asking skills for a lifetime
- inclusive leadership, facilitation, and gathering skills
- tools for leading circle processes/ learning how to apply peace processes
- conflict management skills
- tools for intercultural respect and immersion
- inclusive teaching and pedagogical approaches
- social and emotional learning and practice
- civic participation skills
- community organizing skills
- tools for creating equitable environments
- tools for informed social change
Learn More: Sustained Dialogue Institute
Sign up: Dialogue@xingtaiyichuang.com