{"id":320,"date":"2026-08-25T14:58:21","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T19:58:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/?page_id=320"},"modified":"2026-08-26T14:20:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T19:20:48","slug":"civil-discourse","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/civil-discourse\/","title":{"rendered":"Civil Discourse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
The Universities of Wisconsin strive to cultivate an environment where living, learning, and working are embraced by mutual respect.<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
\n

Regent Policy Document (RPD) 4-21, states, \u201cAll members of the university community at each of the institutions in the University of Wisconsin System share in the responsibility for maintaining civility and a climate of mutual respect.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Civil discourse is the open, respectful exchange of ideas that deepens understanding and supports collaborative problem-solving. It invites people with diverse perspectives to listen actively, question assumptions, and seek common ground without hostility, personal attacks, or coercion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discourse encompasses dialogue, discussion, deliberation, and debate, all of which can promote inquiry exchange of ideas, and deeper understanding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Civil Discourse Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
The Discussion Project<\/div>
Learn more about UW-Madison\u2019s Discussion Project, which aims to strengthen campus-wide capacity to create welcoming, engaging, and academically rigorous classroom environments in which students experience productive classroom discussions on important issues and topics.<\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Constructive Dialogue Institute<\/div>
Explore CDI’s resource library which offers research reports, tools, guides, and more. One to highlight is the Transforming Conflict on College Campuses Discussion Guide.<\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Dignity Index<\/div>
Dignity.us offers general resources to foster dignity principles. The dignity index helps campuses navigate conversations and aims to equip students, staff, and faculty with handling disagreement.<\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Center for Civic Education<\/div>
The Center for Civic Education has compiled The Civil Discourse: An American Legacy Toolkit, designed for higher education use. It lays the groundwork for engagement in civil discourse models for a variety of topics.<\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
National Issues Forums Institute<\/div>
National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI), is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that serves to promote public deliberation about difficult public issues. Check out the tools and issue guides.<\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement<\/div>
Let Freedom (and Respect) Ring: fostering civil discourse and free speech in the classroom and beyond offers modules that address fundamentals of engaging with new ideas.<\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Note:<\/strong> Links to external sites are provided for informational purposes and not meant to convey an endorsement of the Universities of Wisconsin.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n

Learn about policies and legal resources at Universities of Wisconsin campuses. Certain laws, regulations, and policies apply to every UW institution regarding civil discourse, including the following: <\/p>\n\n\n\n