UC Davis Dynamic Discussions
An invitation for perspective
Welcome to the Dynamic Discussions resource hub. The goal of this web portal is to provide the UC Davis community with useful content, resources and events that will foster respectful dialogue at our university even amid intense local, national or global events or issues. It reflects the work of numerous faculty members, staff, students and scholars throughout UC Davis who are committed to creating a university environment that both upholds freedom of speech and the UC Davis Principles of Community.
We invite you to engage with us.
Why Dynamic Discussions is Needed Now
World events are playing out with increasing fervor at college campuses throughout the world, including here at UC Davis. These events can, in turn, spark conversations in our classrooms, common areas or in private where people express different viewpoints, either passively or passionately. These viewpoints often are the culmination of a person’s past and present life experiences or traumas, how they see themselves in the world, or their visions and desires for the future. Dynamic Discussions is built upon the idea that we each have a responsibility for cultivating community and bridging differences. It is important that we collectively work together to create an environment where all members of our university community feel empowered to engage in these crucial conversations. Through a respectful exchange of ideas, even when they differ from another’s ideas, we create the best opportunity for learning – from each other and about the diversity that defines the human experience.
We hope you will find the information contained in these pages helpful and useful, and that you will take what you need from the content to create dynamic discussions of your own at UC Davis.
A Collective Effort
In creating the Dynamic Discussions web page, UC Davis Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was intentional in taking a collaborative approach to building content. We aim to draw on the expertise of a myriad of scholars, professionals and practitioners at our university. We are listening to and integrating input from scholars from religious studies, Jewish studies, Middle East and South Asian studies, history, human rights studies, Center for Regional change, the feminist research institute, freedom of speech experts, trauma-informed care centers, mental health experts, and more.
In September 2024, UC Davis DEI reached out to other UC Davis recipients of the UCOP grant to address bias and bigotry to ask to include their projects on Dynamic Discussions webpage. These and other projects were selected for inclusion based on their funding source and the focus of their work.
Principles of Community
Providing Hope and Direction for 35 Years
The UC Davis Principles of Community reflect a commitment by the university to clearly state our values in response to controversy and incidents occurring on campus and in surrounding communities. The principles are much more than a statement of good intent. In the face of discord, reflecting on and referencing the UC Davis Principles of Community is an affirmation that we have values that guide us. Since they were adopted 35 years ago, they have affirmed our commitment to one another even in the face of disagreement or division.
Read more about the Principles of Community
Guided by the UC Davis Principles of Community, Dynamic Discussions seeks to…
- Create a peaceful respect for all cultures.
- Affirm the dignity inherent in all of us.
- Embrace our shared humanity.
- Uphold everyone’s right to exist.
- Acknowledge that history matters.
- Encourage a respectful exchange of ideas.
- Foster an appreciation for each person’s life experience.
- Promote respectful dialogue.
- Open an invitation for perspective.
Dynamic Discussions web portal is not intended to be …
- A means for disciplinary action.
- An exhaustive list of resources.
- A solution for current or past traumas.
- A resolution about global events.
Dynamic Content
This website is intended to be a dynamic space. We expect to make updates throughout the year. Likewise, we will continue to connect with the leads of UCOP-grant funded projects to gather and share updated information as it becomes available. So please check back here regularly.
We also anticipate people may have questions or feedback as they engage with the content. With this in mind, we invite you to email us with your constructive comments or questions. If you have a story to share about the work you or your community are doing in this space, please feel free to contact us using our content submission form.
Thank you for engaging with us and in helping to promote Dynamic Discussions at UC Davis.