Introduction to Constructive Dialogue
As a student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Jeremiah Lambert-Norfleet is a fierce debater on just about any topic. But after participating in a new program introduced to improve communication across the CUNY system, Jeremiah concluded that maybe he’s a little too fierce at times. “Before the training, my instinct was to say, ‘Oh, you disagree with me? I’m going to prove you wrong with hardcore facts that you can’t dispute,’ but I learned to step back from that emotion,” Jeremiah says. “Being right might give you a little self-gratification, but it doesn’t necessarily solve the issue if you’re just making the other person feel defensive.”
The Importance of Constructive Dialogue
Jeremiah’s reflection captures the promise of promoting constructive dialogue at a university as vast and diverse as CUNY. Over the past year, CUNY has been working with the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) to strengthen dialogue, understanding, and respect on its campuses. As the world becomes increasingly polarized and people become less inclined to engage with opposing voices, these efforts are essential. “In order to get the most out of education, people have to be their true selves and they have to be able to have these conversations,” says Dominic Stellini, the vice president for student affairs at John Jay. “Through the culture change that we’re hoping to bring, more students, more faculty, and more staff will feel comfortable on our campuses.”
The Approach to Constructive Dialogue
The work begins with training for everyone, starting with college presidents and deans. Faculty and staff across the university are completing training in helping students navigate difficult conversations. Students are taking part in a program called Perspectives, which teaches strategies to modulate emotional responses, recognize areas of connection, and communicate across differences. The faculty is weaving dialogue into classroom conversations, and colleges are launching student-led forums where difficult issues can be discussed with openness and respect. This isn’t about avoiding disagreement. It’s about learning to engage constructively — to really listen, to bring empathy to conflict, and to embrace healthy, informed debate as a core tenet of education.
Real-Life Examples of Constructive Dialogue
Jeremiah and his friend and fellow John Jay student Joshua Hall came to the Perspectives program from sharply different angles. Where Jeremiah tended to be aggressive in debates, Joshua avoided conflict at all costs. “I don’t like having difficult conversations, to the point where even when I’m not wrong, I’ll apologize,” Joshua says. “But what this program showed me is that you have to step out of your comfort zone and have those difficult conversations to progress in life. You have to be a little uncomfortable to be comfortable.” We live in a time when “difference” too often means “conflict” and talking past each other is too often the default.
Conclusion
There are no quick fixes. But CUNY is betting that students will embrace tools they are given to hear each other out, to disagree respectfully, and grow from good-faith engagement with those with whom they disagree. The goal is to weave this capacity for connection into the fabric of CUNY itself — so that it becomes part of who they are. Matos Rodríguez is the chancellor of The City University of New York (CUNY), the largest urban public university system in the United States.
FAQs
Q: What is the main goal of the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) program at CUNY?
A: The main goal of the CDI program is to strengthen dialogue, understanding, and respect on CUNY campuses by teaching students, faculty, and staff how to engage in constructive conversations and navigate difficult discussions.
Q: What is the Perspectives program, and how does it help students?
A: The Perspectives program is a training program that teaches students strategies to modulate emotional responses, recognize areas of connection, and communicate across differences. It helps students learn how to engage in constructive dialogue and navigate difficult conversations.
Q: Why is constructive dialogue important in education?
A: Constructive dialogue is essential in education because it allows students to engage with different perspectives, develop critical thinking skills, and learn how to navigate conflicts and disagreements in a respectful and constructive manner.
Q: How does CUNY plan to implement constructive dialogue across its campuses?
A: CUNY plans to implement constructive dialogue across its campuses by providing training for faculty and staff, launching student-led forums, and weaving dialogue into classroom conversations. The goal is to create a culture of constructive dialogue and respect that becomes part of the fabric of CUNY.
