Campus Conversations
New: Campus Conversation on Climate Change (4/23/08).
Go to Events page for more information.
Carnegie Mellon University is using the concept and practice of Deliberative Polling® at the campus level. Called Campus Conversations, the initiative seeks to (1) highlight the virtues of campus diversity, as this is embedded in the nature of deliberation, (2) provide a new tool for dissemination and feedback, and (3) create a sense of campus community and an appreciation of democratic practice and civic engagement.
Carnegie Mellon's University
Libraries play a pivotal role in these Campus Conversations
as our libraries serve not only as resources for information, but
also as foundations for democracy. Our Alumni
Association also plays an important role. For the first time,
Carnegie Mellon alumni from the region and across the nation can
participate in these discussions and bring their experiences to
bear on the issues.
For more information about these conversations, see the Events
page.
Questions? Contact Robert
Cavalier at 412/268-7643. Our offices are located in Baker Hall
148.
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Notices
Handbook
With the support of the Teagle Foundation and the Phi Beta Kappa
Society, we have produced a Handbook
for College-Level Deliberative Polling. This Handbook is free
and available for download. We also provide a Coordinator’s
Toolkit with sample e-mails, forms, and training materials for
those interested using these kinds of deliberative practices on
their campuses. The elements of the toolkit are as follows: Sample
Timelines, Examples of Consent
and Release Forms, Sample Background
Document and Resource Guide, Sample Questions
and Survey, Expert
Panel E-mails and Descriptions, Participant
Inquiry E-mails, Volunteer/Moderator
Materials, Sample Checklists,
Day-of-Event Materials,
Sample Online Discussion
Environment.
Twelve minute Documentary Video of
a Campus Conversaion (QuickTime).
Coro Interns in Local Democracy
The Coro Internship Program creates a real and abiding link
between student interns and the larger campus community via the
Campus Conversations project and provides vital support for that
project as well. While supporting ample opportunity for reflection
and reading, the Internship (called a Fellowship from 2005- 2006)
is primarily focused on civic engagement at both the campus and,
through Coro, the regional level. This kind of practicum provides
insights into the theory and practice of democracy itself.
Past and current recipients: Randy Weinsten (2004-5), Neil Guzy
(2006), Dan Geisey and Joanne Kilgour (2006-2007), Ashley Birt
and Brad Porter (2007-2008).
Advisory Board
In order to institutionalize and maintain the Campus Conversations
initiative on our campus, we have established an Advisory Board
consisting of administrators, staff, faculty, alumni, and students.
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