Meredith Continues Focus on Civil Communication

Since 2016, Meredith College has had a Civil Communication Working Group, which is charged with helping the campus community navigate difficult topics in a welcoming environment where all voices are heard.

The initiative is a proactive effort to foster respectful communication and conflict management on campus.

“Civil discourse is an important skill for college students to develop to help them deal with conflict or difficult conversations, said Dean of Students Ann Gleason, who is leading the group. “This is a skill they can use as students in day-to-day communication with their peers and later in the workplace.”

The Civil Communication Working Group has developed a set of guidelines for civil communication, which the campus community is encouraged to use.

• Listen to understand
• Speak from your own unique experience
• Use “I” statements
• Be aware of your own biases and assumptions
• Talk about ideas, not people
• Words matter – be careful about how you use them.

In 2018-19, the Civil Communication initiative will continue to focus on conflict management, communication on social media, and effective communication skills for the work environment. Planning is underway now on workshops, lectures, and other programming. Encourage your student to attend civil communication programs.