Chronicle of Higher Education Focus Group on Civil Debate Lunch

January 5, 2026 Lake

By invitation only.

Boxed lunches will be provided for all Institute participants and should be picked up in the main sponsor area before the meeting.

Colleges and universities are eager to develop students who are prepared to constructively engage and debate about divisive topics. But national surveys have shown that many students are reluctant to speak their minds in the classroom or while on campus. In this roundtable discussion presidents will share their views on what can be done to encourage civil dialogue across difference — how they can model engaging those they may disagree with.