Community Dialogues are held outside of CU classes and respond to campus or community issues people want to address through dialogue. These dialogues foster sharing of experiences and perspectives among community members around a specific topic of concern to the community members and provide a way to open up conversation about civic concerns on and off campus. Dialogue participants are invited to speak from their own experiences, share their perspectives with one another and listen to the experiences and perspectives of others. While participants may have very different viewpoints on an issue, the dialogue process itself is deliberately non-polarized. It seeks to broaden a participants' awareness and deepen their understanding of complex problems and issues through open communication across social and cultural differences and/or power differentials.

Why Hold a Community Dialogue?

A facilitated dialogue is an effective way to address difficult or uncomfortable topics within specific campus communities. Dialogue facilitators create an inviting and supportive space for diverse members of a residence hall community, academic program or student group to address topics across differences of all kinds. Through facilitated dialogues, the CU Dialogues Program aims to support the development of a more inclusive campus environment for all members of the University community.

Examples of Community Dialogue Topics

  • Cultural Conflict based on Race/Ethnicity

  • Power, Privilege and Policing 

  • Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

  • Labeling based on Political Affiliation/Perspective

  • Gender-Based Stereotyping

  • Economic/Social Inequality

  • Student-Permanent Resident Relations in the University Hill Neighborhood

  • Greek/non-greek Student Relations

  • Sexual Harassment of Assault

Community Participant Comments

"One story that stood out for me was students [of color] feeling uncomfortable being here at CU.... Talking about issues of race and racism is important."  -Student who attended a community dialogue on the topic of race and racism

"I've always thought about [sexual assault] but never really spoke with anyone about it.... This was very eye-opening."  -Student who attended a series of community dialogues in a residence hall on the topic of sexual assault

"The dialogue opened my eyes to the perspective of a permanent resident with small children [in the University Hill neighborhood]."  -Student who attended a University Hill Neighborhood community dialogue

How to Schedule an Community Dialogue

  1. Identify a topic based on your group's interests and fill out a Dialogue Request Form.

  2. A Dialogues Program facilitator will contact you to arrange a brief consultation in person or by phone.  The pre-dialogue consultation gives you an opportunity to discuss your group's goals for the dialogue with the facilitator and identify specific issues you want the dialogue to address.

  3. Prepare for the dialogue: Invite dialogue community participants, arrange for a space, plan food, etc.

  4. Remind community participants of the event; get firm commitments to attend.