SMSU Student Association

Difficult Dialogues

As some of you may know, SMSU was awarded a $100,000 grant through the Ford Foundation. This grant provides our university money to develop a difficult dialogues curriculum to enhance diversity on our campus. We were one of only twenty universities across the United States to receive this grant.

The primary goals and desires of the Difficult Dialogues Initiative are

1. Awareness and acceptance of differences.
2. Programming that is relevant to our particular campus and to our classrooms.
3. Reflection that leads to action. In response, we have chosen one of the best consultants in the business to come in and work with us.

These are tough issues, and difficult discussions but the benefits reaped will far exceed any and all expectations. There are numerous courses being offered, though two of specific interest are INDS 220 and SOCI 486. Both deal with stereotypes being ascribed to different groups of people. INDS 220 is called Breaking Indigenous Stereotypes, discussions on the topics that are difficult to bring up in the classroom. In both courses, you will be uncomfortable and disgusted with the reality of the past and the present events the United States has participate in. However, the only way to work towards a healing is to begin opening the lines of dialogue between all groups of people.

Please, get involved, it is not too late. You can still register for many of the courses offered within the initiative and some can be applied to your LAC requirements. Also, be sure to check out the website for more information. This is an amazing opportunity that will only be available on campus for three more semesters.

www.smsustudentsenate.com

http://www.southwestmsu.edu/CampusLife/DifficultDialogues/

posted by SMSU Student Associtation @ 10:05 AM