What is the Great Dane Dialogue?
This fall, with the backdrop of a contentious election season, global crises and unrest on college campuses worldwide, the University at Albany is leaning into our role as educators with an expansive effort to encourage civil discourse and civic engagement among our students.
Civil Discourse & Free Speech
The Great Dane Dialogue is a cross-campus effort to promote civil discourse and inclusivity, and celebrate free speech, both foundational to scholarly inquiry and higher education.
Policies & Events
On this website, you’ll find key resources, including relevant policies, events and partners who can assist the Great Dane family to create a collaborative, communicative and inclusive community.
Shared Values
We brought our community together and captured, in one resource, the impactful work already being done across campus, reinforced our shared values and implemented a few new programs to nurture an inclusive community.
UAlbany’s Shared Values
ACCESS: To enable individuals to pursue learning, research and service regardless of economic, societal or physical factors.
Freedom of Speech — as a public institution, we have a unique obligation to protect free speech for members of the university community and the external community.
INTEGRITY: To be committed to — and expect from all — honesty, transparency and accountability.
COMMON GOOD: To work collectively and collaboratively to benefit our communities — and create a sustainable way of life on earth.
INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE: To value diversity of all forms, academic freedom, and the rights, dignity and perspectives of all individuals.
UAlbany rejects antisemitism, islamophobia, racism and all forms of hatred and bias. We are committed to promoting a culture of acceptance, inquiry and tolerance.
We value family formation and community connectedness and aspire to nurture a campus community in which everyone feels welcome.
In Our Voices: The Great Dane Dialogue Campaign
our-voices
In UAlbany’s social media accounts, you will hear from students, faculty and staff as they share what a community that is both inclusive and free means to them.
Look for the Great Dane Dialogue banner and share your perspective with us — you may be featured in our semester-long social media campaign. The Great Dane Dialogue social media team is out at events and in public spaces throughout the semester.
Throughout the semester, in university-wide messaging, programming and events, we’ll discuss the ongoing Great Dane Dialogue, including inclusivity, understanding and respect for our community.
Starting the Semester
- New Faculty Orientation (August 20) included a session introducing faculty to UAlbany’s freedom of expression and time/plan/manner policies.
- Inclusive Danes: Since 2020, this peer-led Orientation workshop has provided a dynamic welcome for all new students. The session includes engaging activities highlighting UAlbany's diversity and inclusion values to fast-track our new students' sense of belonging and cultural competency. In addition to showcasing resources across campus for their continued support and growth, students leave Inclusive Danes feeling empowered to make new connections with a deeper understanding of themselves and their unique value as a member of our UAlbany community.
- First-Year Experience (FYE) courses include new learning objectives related to civil discourse. These objectives will be targeted to the Writing and Critical Inquiry program and Living-Learning Communities, First-Year Seminars, and First-Year Honors College courses through class assessments, discussion prompts and classroom activities.
General Programming
Conversations to Catalyze Change
When: Wednesday, September 18, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., including a moderated Q&A period
Where: Multipurpose Room, Campus Center West
Moderator: Samuel Caldwell, Vice President, Inclusive Excellence and Equity and Chief Diversity Officer
In this session, Albany Law School professor Ray Brescia will discuss the value of dialogues involving likely and unlikely allies toward the pursuit of common ground — referred to as ‘interest convergence’. Brescia will discuss the value of such conversations and their importance to social justice work. In times when our ability to communicate and reach broad audiences has never been stronger due to the ubiquity of social media and other technologies, the need for constructive conversations has arguably never been greater, particularly at the intersection of technology and social change.
Register for Conversations to Catalyze Change.
Leading Questions: What role does public opinion polling play in democracy?
When: Wednesday, October 9, 6 to 7:15 p.m.
Where: Auditorium, Campus Center West
Moderator: Julie Novkov, Dean, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy
Panel:
- Don Levy, Director, Siena College Research Institute
- Joe Bonilla '11, Managing partner, Senior Media Director, and Co-founder, Relentless
- Nick Reisman ‘07, Capitol Bureau Reporter, Politico
- Sonia Frederick ‘16, Member, Albany Common Council
This program is sponsored in part by University Auxiliary Services.
Congress to Campus
When: This event has been postponed and will be rescheduled for later in the fall 2024 semester.
Where: Curtis J. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC), 50 8th Street, Troy, NY
Panel:
- The Honorable Elizabeth Esty, U.S. Representative for Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District covering central and northwest Connecticut from 2013 to 2019
- The Honorable John J. Faso, U.S. Representative for New York's 19th Congressional District in upstate New York from 2017 to 2019
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) invites the UAlbany community to join them as they host a bipartisan team of two former members of Congress as part of the Congress to Campus program. They will will address how technology and social media impact governing and electoral politics.
Free and open to the public. Register for Congress to Campus.
Alumni and Community Perspectives
This new initiative will provide students with real-world examples of civil discourse and civic engagement through a series of panel discussions featuring alumni, community leaders and public servants who work in fields including government, law, journalism and advocacy.
During these moderated conversations, guests will share their views on public service, civic engagement and civil discourse. The panel discussions are planned in collaboration with the Office of Government and Community Relations (OGCR), Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, Office of Communications and Marketing (OCM), and the Alumni Association.
These events will provide an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, inspire others and promote positive change in our communities.
The panels are scheduled to coincide with First-Year Experience courses and integrate into the FYE curriculum.
Open to the UAlbany community.
The Communicators
When: Monday, September 16, 3 p.m.
Where: Minerva Room, University Library
Moderator: Samuel Caldwell, Vice President, Inclusive Excellence and Equity and Chief Diversity Officer
Panel:
- Robert Bellafiore, Founder & President, Stanhope Partners
- Steve Greenberg, Founder and Principal, Greenberg Public Relations
- Joe Bonilla, Managing Partner, Senior Media Director, and Co-founder, Relentless
The Community
When: Tuesday, September 17, 3 p.m.
Where: Minerva Room, University Library
Moderator: Sheila Seery, Vice President, Government and Community Relations
Panel:
- Dannielle Melendez, Government Relations Analyst, Farrell Fritz and President, Pine Hills Neighborhood Association
- Chris Nolin, former Deputy Mayor, City of Troy
- Giovanni Harvey, President, SUNY Student Assembly; Trustee, State University of New York; graduate student at UAlbany
The Advocates
When: Wednesday, September 18, 4:30 p.m.
Where: Campus Center Ballroom
Moderator: Carol Kim, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, UAlbany
Panel:
- John Knight, Floor Counsel, New York Assembly Democratic Legal Services Office
- Kate Corkery Knight, Managing Director, Catalyst Government Relations
- Steve Mann, Deputy State Director, Office of U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer
The Representatives
When: Thursday, September 19, 4:30 p.m.
Where: Campus Center West Auditorium
Moderator: Michael Christakis, Vice President, Student Affairs and Enrollment
Panel:
- Meghan Keegan, Councilmember, Albany Common Council 9th Ward
- Owasu Anane, Councilmember, Albany Common Council 10th Ward
Faculty Programming
Engaging Students in Discussions of Controversial Issues
When: Tuesday, September 17, 12 to 1:20 p.m.
Where: Multipurpose Room, Campus Center West
In the current political and social climate, University instructors might find introducing and leading discussions about “hot button” topics challenging, but we can’t always avoid them, especially in certain courses. Even more challenging are the occasions when a discussion becomes heated because it takes an unanticipated direction. If we aren’t prepared for these conversations, we can quickly feel like we’re losing control.
In this highly interactive workshop designed for faculty and instructional staff, we will explore research-based strategies for navigating difficult or “hot” topics and help ensure that an unexpected turn doesn’t derail a class discussion.
Participants will leave with concrete strategies (and plans to use them!) to help prepare for and facilitate productive conversations about controversial topics.
After offering this workshop last year and receiving resounding positive feedback, CATLOE is offering this popular faculty workshop again for those who missed it. Previous participants stated that the workshop was “awesome” and “phenomenal” and that they “loved the resources.”
Lunch will be provided. Register for Engaging Students in Discussions of Controversial Issues.
Getting Students Registered to Vote
When: Wednesday, September 25, 4 to 5 p.m.
Where: Zoom
Join Brett Levy, associate professor of Educational Theory and Practice, in an exploration for faculty, teachers and administrators about how students can sign up to vote and organize voter registration efforts within their schools.
Sponsored by UAlbany’s School of Education, AATLAS and The Civics Center. Register for Getting Students Registered to Vote.
Creating a Democratic Classroom Culture
When: Thursday, September 26, 12 to 1:20 p.m.
Where: Minerva Room, University Library
How can faculty create a classroom culture in which students show respect for views that differ from their own and feel comfortable sharing diverse perspectives? This workshop will offer guidance on how educators can foster a democratic classroom culture so students can engage thoughtfully with a variety of ideas and practice civil discourse skills that are vital in today's world.
Presented by Brett Levy, associate professor in the Department of Educational Theory and Practice. Recently selected to receive a 2024 Andrew Carnegie Fellowship from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to study strategies to reduce political polarization in the U.S., his research explores how educational programs can support civic engagement among youth.
Professor Levy will run this workshop with students in a political science class and Assistant Professor Cammie Jo Bolin.
Lunch will be provided. Register for Creating a Democratic Classroom Culture.
Civic Education and Engagement and Civil Discourse Fellows
SUNY is committed to civic engagement as an essential outcome of higher education. As part of this commitment, this past spring ten faculty and staff from SUNY campuses were selected as Civic Education and Engagement and Civil Discourse Fellows.
To support campuses, the Fellows invite all members of the SUNY community to join them in systemwide conversations about the meaning and importance of civic education and engagement. Starting in September there will be six online events as part of the Fall 2024 Civic Learning and Civic Engagement Online Series. These events cross disciplinary boundaries and are offered by Fellows from a range of SUNY institutions. All members of the SUNY community are encouraged to join one or more of these events to exchange ideas and learn from each other. More information and the registration link are available on the SUNY Civic Learning and Civic Engagement Fall 2024 Online Series website.
Additionally, to offer support to those interested in learning more about civic education and engagement, the Fellows have developed the SUNY Civic Fellows webpage. This webpage has information about the Fellows, a link to the SUNY Civic Learning and Civic Engagement Fall 2024 Online Series, and links to resources for campus consideration. For more information, please contact the Fellows at [email protected].
Great Dane Dialogue: Talking Traditions Campaign
On a diverse, welcoming and inclusive campus, it’s important to understand and celebrate the traditions, identities and holidays of our friends, even if – or maybe, especially if – we come from different backgrounds.
In the Talking Traditions campaign, the Great Dane Dialogue team asks our students, administrators and faculty to talk about what their traditions mean to them. We will explore heritage and cultural awareness and give our community an understanding of all members of our inclusive Great Dane community.
traditions
Traditions and Holidays
| Date(s) | Tradition/Holiday |
| September 15 to October 15, 2024 | Hispanic Heritage Month Cultural diversity: Students celebrate what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them |
| October 2 to 4, 2024 and October 11 to 12, 2024 | Jewish High Holy Days |
| October | LGBTQ+ History |
| October 31 to November 1, 2024 | Diwali |
| November 4, 2024 | Black Solidarity Day |
| November | Native American Heritage |
| January 27 | International Holocaust Remembrance Day |
| January 29, 2025 | Chinese New Year |
| February | Black History Month |
| Evening of February 28 to March 30, 2025 | Ramadan |
| March 5, 2025 | Ash Wednesday |
| March 14, 2025 | Holi |
| March 29 to March 30, 2025 | Eid-Al-Fitr |
| April 12 to April 20, 2025 | Passover |
| April 20, 2025 | Easter and Orthodox Easter |
| May | Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month |
Student Affairs Perspectives
The Division of Student Affairs leads many student-focused efforts to promote inclusivity, civic engagement and civil discourse.
student-affairs
UAlbany Votes Campaign
Within the Division of Student Affairs, the UAlbany Votes initiative promotes civil discourse, inclusivity and civic engagement among students. Below is an overview of significant initiatives.
- Voter Registration Drives
- Educational Workshops: Focused on the importance of civic engagement, how to engage in civil discourse, and understanding the voting process.
- UAlbany Votes Campaigns: Encouraging students to vote, providing information on polling locations and early voting options aligning with the fall civic holidays.
- Collaborative Events: Partnering with various student organizations and departments to host panels, discussions and activities that promote inclusivity and civic engagement.
- Speaker Events: Speakers and community leaders will be invited to discuss various aspects of civic engagement and policy.
- Civic Engagement-Themed Workshops: These workshops will provide students with practical skills and knowledge on how to get involved in their communities beyond their responsibilities at the polls.
- 17 Rooms Session: During Welcome Week, this session connects new students to volunteer opportunities through Capital Region nonprofits and charitable organizations aligned with the 17 UN Sustainability Goals.
- UAlbany Votes Ambassador Training: Training for students, faculty and staff to become UAlbany Votes Ambassadors.
UAlbany Votes Ambassadors serve as facilitators for workshops and classroom presentations, table on campus and in the community, and run voter registration and education efforts. They are trained on voter registration techniques and communication strategies for engaging diverse members of our community. They serve as a reliable resource for voting information on campus, which is especially important during presidential election years like 2024.
Additionally, UAlbany is a participant in the national ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge and has been named a Voter Friendly Campus.
UAlbany Community Conversations
This new informal dialogue series is a leadership presence and relationship-building opportunity for campus administrators and students with disparate views and experiences to connect and chat, at their leisure, about ways to create a more inclusive and intersectionally engaged campus community where everyone feels empowered to flourish. Participants will receive and share ideas and updates regarding campus belonging experiences and initiatives.
Rockefeller College Lunch and Learn and Election Series
rockefeller
Rockefeller College Lunch & Learn series on the 2024 election includes topics like cybersecurity, climate change and other issues.
Additional events and courses planned by Rockefeller College include special topics classes such as Political Communication (ACOM 382) and Israeli Politics (RPOS 399); the Constitution Day essay contest and Free Speech Wall, debate watch events, panel discussions, and an election night event.
Find out more about Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy’s Fall Event Series.
The New York State Writers Institute at UAlbany
nyswi
This season, the renowned NYS Writers Institute will bring authors to campus who explore cultures and lives from around the world, and “the power of literature as a force for individual growth and for social good.”
Season highlights
- August 29 - Hannah Lillith Assadi, acclaimed novelist and daughter of a Palestinian father and Jewish mother, whose upbringing informs her multicultural narratives.
- November 12 - Joshua Cohen, the Pulitzer Prize Winner in Fiction (2022) for the novel The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family.
- November 22 - Telling the Truth 2024, our annual post-election panel.
“In this fraught moment, we are proud to present this lineup of events carefully curated to serve as a balm for what ails our society. These authors and their works will counteract despair by offering a refuge of artful writing that illuminates and inspires.
We invite readers of all ages to bring their perspectives, ask their questions, and add their voices to these vital conversations. We never shirk from our duty to address inconvenient truths and uncomfortable topics. While honoring our commitment to free speech and unfettered expression, we will insist on a climate of civil discourse and a respectful exchange of viewpoints.”
- Paul Grondahl, The Opalka Endowed Director of the NYS Writers Institute
University Libraries
libraries
Information Literacy and AI Events
- AI and Academic Integrity: Taking an Information Literacy Approach
September 5, 2 p.m., Zoom - Does Information Want to Be Free?: Information Privilege, Book Bans, and Free Speech
September 24, 3 p.m., Minerva Room, University Library - Teaching Students to Use Information Literacy to Think Critically About AI
September 25, 2 p.m., Zoom - Faculty Coffee & Chat: Generative AI and Student Research
October 9, 10 a.m., Cobb Room, University Library - Generative AI and Disinformation
October 17, 2 p.m., Minerva Room, University Library - Generative AI and Library Research for Students and Faculty
November 7, 2 p.m., Zoom
Banned Books Week
- Banned Books Week Kick-off
September 23, 12:30 p.m., Entrance Lobby, University Library - Library Card Sign-up Month with Albany Public Library
September 25, 2 p.m., Entrance Lobby, University Library - Dear Banned Author
September 27, 12:30 p.m., University Library
Revisit our Virtual Read-Out for Banned Books, Virtual Read-Out for Banned Books 2023
Other Resources
resources
Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellowship
Rising UAlbany junior Danielle Gandelman has been nominated for a Newman Civic Fellowship through Campus Compact. The fellowship offers attendance at a national conference, virtual training and networking, mentorship, learning and career development, and funding for civic and community engagement projects.
Faculty Experts
Additionally, the University will lean on experts from our academic departments to provide insight and guidance in facilitating civic education:
- Angie Chung (Sociology), one of 10 SUNY Civic Education and Engagement and Civil Discourse Fellows.
- Brett Levy (Education), awarded 2024 Andrew Carnegie Fellowship to study strategies for reducing political polarization.