Approach
At Austin Peay, while faced with a challenging balance between respecting individual freedoms protected by the First Amendment and ensuring our community feels welcome and heard, we must uphold constitutional rights, including individuals’ rights to free speech and assembly. While doing so, we remain focused on providing a welcoming and inclusive community on campus and are committed to working diligently to make Austin Peay State University a place where everyone feels valued, supported, and heard.
The Peayple's Approach
The Peayple’s Dialogue promotes collaborative communication exchanges that highlight both experiential and intellectual commonalities and differences. Grounded by an Intergroup Dialogue conceptual framework, The Peayple's Dialogue provides facilitated learning environments for APSU stakeholders to discuss societal events in a manner that leads to a shared social and personal responsibility.
Core Dialogue Components
The Peayple’s Dialogue is comprised of evidence-based frameworks anchored by three
key elements: Active and Engaged Learning, Innovative and Structured Interaction,
and Facilitated Learning Environments. These approaches create brave spaces for stakeholders
to engage in meaningful conversations on pressing issues, while offering timely resources
to help better serve diverse campus communities.
The Peayple's Agreements
To foster a respectful and inclusive environment, The Peayple’s Dialogue encourages participants to follow these community agreements. These guidelines ensure that everyone feels heard, valued, and supported in our conversations.
Share your own perspectives and stories, using “I” statements to avoid generalizing the experiences of others.
Practice active listening, focusing on understanding the viewpoints of others without immediately planning your response.
Understand that discomfort can lead to growth. Challenge yourself to engage in tough conversations while maintaining respect for others.
While others may not intend harm, acknowledge the impact of words and actions. Be open to feedback and ready to learn from misunderstandings.
What is shared in the dialogue should stay within the space, unless explicit consent is given to share outside. Respect the trust and vulnerability of others.
Enter the dialogue with a willingness to have your beliefs and assumptions challenged, and remain open to changing your mind or viewpoint.
We are here to create brave, not necessarily comfortable, spaces. Take risks in sharing your perspectives, while ensuring the space remains respectful for everyone.
These agreements are designed to support open, inclusive, and transformative conversations. Let’s work together to make The Peayple’s Dialogue a meaningful experience for all.