Deliberative Discussions

What are Deliberative Conversations?

Deliberative Conversations at Empire State University grew out of a partnership between the university’s Office of Student Engagement and the Buffalo Project. These conversations are an effort to increase cultural awareness, interaction and discussion among students, faculty, and staff around difficult topics. The uniqueness of the Deliberative Conversations format is that it is meant to intentionally bring together individuals who represent diverse perspectives around a topic; sometimes difficult or controversial, to advocate for tangible, joint solutions that give a voice to all invested in the conversation.

History

In AY 2017-2018 & AY 2018-2019 Empire State University’s Office of Student Life and the Buffalo Project piloted a series of conversations, listed below. Based on the success of the pilot conversations, as of AY 2019-2020, Deliberative Conversations are now regularly offered as Student Life/Buffalo Project university-wide events. As of 2019, students who are part of the Student Leadership Institute program and Empire State University are also required to participate in these events.

Awards

2019 SUNY Empire “You Make A Difference Award” Recipient – Buffalo Project Deliberative Conversations

AY 2021-2022 Conversations

FALL 2021

Deliberative Conversations: Free Speech and the Inclusive Campus: Free Speech and the Inclusive Campus: How do we foster the campus community we want?

Deliberative Discussion: Food Insecurities

Spring 2022

Feeling at Home: A Deliberative Conversation on Refugee Communities and the Afghan Crisis

April 7: Developing Metaliteracy to Identify and Resist Misinformation