A brand new part of CEHV's Civil Discourse for Citizenship Initiative is our dialogue facilitation project. Led by CEHV Associate Director Aaron Yarmel, this project advances OSU's Shared Values Initiative on campus in two ways: by offering dialogue facilitation workshops and by facilitating dialogue on campus about important ethical issues.

The inaugural dialogue took place on March 28, 2023, when OSU undergraduate student Allison Saghir (Psychology) and PhD Student Jamie Herman (History and Philosophy of Education) co-facilitated a session in the lobby of Siebert Hall about ethical issues that arise in the context of living with roommates. The session began with an invitation to the 14 participants--all residents of Siebert Hall--to share meaningful stories from their time living in OSU resident halls. Next, Allison and Jamie helped the students propose questions based on these stories and select one to pursue through dialogue: when is it unethical to invite a significant other to visit you in a shared living space?

Over the course of an hour, the participants worked together to search for more reasonable answers to the selected question. The facilitators played a supportive role by gently guiding the participants to show care for each other, focus narrowly on the question, and critically and creatively use examples and arguments. Following the conclusion of the dialogue, the participants enjoyed food that was provided by CEHV. 

Living with others is a transformative experience that almost everyone goes through at some point in their lives. And it has also been proven to be challenging. During this discussion, the group of freshmen had the opportunity to share personal anecdotes that have taken place during this first year living with someone else. I thought it was cool as the facilitator, that this style of discussion allowed for them to communicate in a civil manner, while still bringing sensitive and thought-provoking ideas to the table. 

--Allison Saghir

Both Allison and Jamie regularly attend Aaron's weekly dialogue facilitation training workshop where they practice the techniques that they used on the 28th. Allison is also a graduate of CEHV's Undergraduate Course on Civil Discourse (Conversations on Morality, Politics, and Society (ARTSSCI 2400/2400E)).