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Common Ground Program | Department of Resident Life
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{"default_language":"en","languages":["en","fr","de","it","es"],"wrapper_selector":".gtranslate_wrapper"}</script><script src="https://cdn.gtranslate.net/widgets/latest/dropdown.js" defer></script> <nav class="subnav" aria-label="Sidebar"> <ul> <li class="subnav-parent"> <a href="/campus-life/get-involved"><span class="icon icon-chevron-right" aria-hidden="true"></span>Get Involved</a> <ul> <li> <a href="/campus-life/get-involved/common-ground-program" aria-current="page" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/316" class="is-active"><span class="visually-hidden">The Current Page is </span>Common Ground Program</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="col-800-9"> <nav aria-label="Breadcrumb"> <ol class="breadcrumb"> <li class="breadcrumb-item"><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li class="breadcrumb-item"><a href="/campus-life">Campus Life</a></li> <li class="breadcrumb-item"><a href="/campus-life/get-involved">Get Involved</a></li> <li class="breadcrumb-item breadcrumb--active" aria-current="page">Common Ground Program</li> </ol> </nav> <div data-history-node-id="316"> <div class="editor-content"> <h1>Common Ground Program</h1> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_text"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--3546"> <p>The Common Ground Dialogue Program brings together groups of undergraduate students to engage in a peer-led, structured exploration of contemporary dilemmas in our society.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_text"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--3549"> <h2>Program Highlights</h2> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_image_with_text"> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--3538"> <figure aria-label="image with caption" role="group" class="align-left"> <img src="" alt=""> </figure> <ul><li><strong>Inclusive Learning:</strong> These dialogues welcome participants with different levels of familiarity on the topics, as well as a range of identities & perspectives to foster meaningful interactions across differences.</li><li><strong>Peer-Led Experience:</strong> These sessions are guided by trained undergraduate Peer Dialogue Leaders.</li><li><strong>Supportive Environment:</strong> In this respectful and inclusive dialogue climate, participants share their opinions and react to others openly and authentically.</li><li><strong>Dialogue Skills:</strong> Participants learn skills to effectively engage in conversations on difficult topics and model healthy conflict such as active listening, asking questions for understanding, speaking to be understood and more.</li></ul> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_text"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--3303"> <h2>Format Options</h2> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_text"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--5669"> <h3>Credit/Course Experiences</h3> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_card_group"> <div class="card-group-bg card-group-bg-default" id="umd_terp_paragraph--5672"> <div class="card-group"> <div class="card-wrap card-wrap--2"> <div class="card" id="umd_terp_paragraph--5670"> <div class="card-img-top card-img"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2024-11/Common-Ground-Delberative-Dialogues-Card-.jpg?itok=9Vzdbdiq" alt="Students sitting at desk"> </div> <div class="card-body"> <h2 class="card-title">COMMON GROUND DELIBERATIVE DIALOGUES (CHSE228)</h2> <div class="card-text"><p>“Common Ground Deliberative Dialogues” (CHSE 228) is a <strong>1-credit course</strong> where students engage in peer-led discussions on complex and often divisive societal topics. Through shared perspectives and collaborative problem-solving, students build skills to navigate challenging conversations, aiming for areas of consensus. By the end, participants gain a deeper appreciation for the topic’s complexity and develop empathy for differing viewpoints, even when they may not fully agree.</p></div> <a href="https://app.testudo.umd.edu/soc/search?courseId=CHSE228D&sectionId=&termId=202501&_openSectionsOnly=on&creditCompare=&credits=&courseLevelFilter=ALL&instructor=&_facetoface=on&_blended=on&_online=on&courseStartCompare=&courseStartHour=&courseStartMin=&courseStartAM=&courseEndHour=&courseEndMin=&courseEndAM=&teachingCenter=ALL&_classDay1=on&_classDay2=on&_classDay3=on&_classDay4=on&_classDay5=on" class="card-cta fancy-link" target="_self"> See CHSE288 schedule on Testudo </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card-wrap card-wrap--2"> <div class="card" id="umd_terp_paragraph--5671"> <div class="card-img-top card-img"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2024-11/Facilitator-Development-Practicum-Card.jpg?itok=plzTv9H4" alt="Student writing on poster"> </div> <div class="card-body"> <h2 class="card-title">FACILITATOR DEVELOPMENT & PRACTICUM (WEID300)</h2> <div class="card-text"><p>“Facilitator Development & Practicum” (WEID 300) is a <strong>3-credit course</strong> that provides students with the knowledge and skills to facilitate intergroup dialogues and social justice workshops on topics like race, class, and gender. The course covers dialogue as a communication model, facilitation as leadership, group dynamics, social identity, and solidarity building. Upon completion, students are eligible for paid roles as Peer Dialogue Leaders in the Common Ground Dialogue Program and other campus dialogue initiatives.</p></div> <a href="https://app.testudo.umd.edu/soc/202501/WEID" class="card-cta fancy-link" target="_self"> See WEID300 schedule on Testudo </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_video"> <div class="embed-bg embed-bg-default" id="umd_terp_paragraph--5673"> <figure> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-2by1"> <iframe class="embed-responsive-item" title="What is WEID300?" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yLNp7kczlto?si=FmfY263cJsXFkLBq" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_text"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--5674"> <h3>Co-Curricular Learning Opportunities</h3><p>For campus partners interested in any of these co-curricular programs please reach out to nkimani@umd.edu for inquiries.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_card_group"> <div class="card-group-bg card-group-bg-default" id="umd_terp_paragraph--5678"> <div class="card-group"> <div class="card-wrap card-wrap--3"> <div class="card" id="umd_terp_paragraph--5675"> <div class="card-img-top card-img"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2024-11/Trending-Topics-Card.jpg?itok=cXaHKoUq" alt="Students sitting in circle"> </div> <div class="card-body"> <h2 class="card-title">TRENDING TOPICS</h2> <div class="card-text"><p>“Trending Topics” is a <strong>one-session dialogue</strong> that creates an opportunity for students to consider the complexities and personal meanings of a controversial issue or dilemma. These work well for students looking to process a breaking news story or event. Previous topics include hate speech on campus, celebrity scandals, and the presidential election.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card-wrap card-wrap--3"> <div class="card" id="umd_terp_paragraph--5676"> <div class="card-img-top card-img"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2024-11/YouID-Card.jpg?itok=0E092qfB" alt="Students sitting at desk"> </div> <div class="card-body"> <h2 class="card-title">YOUID</h2> <div class="card-text"><p>“YouID” is a <strong>one-session dialogue</strong> where students collectively explore and reflect deeply on aspects of their social identities including race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, class, and more. This session is a great introduction to the foundations of dialogue and building community trust and understanding.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card-wrap card-wrap--3"> <div class="card" id="umd_terp_paragraph--5677"> <div class="card-img-top card-img"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/optimized/public/2024-11/Four-Sessions-Dialogue-Card.jpg?itok=Mg7nrAKD" alt="Students sitting in group"> </div> <div class="card-body"> <h2 class="card-title">FOUR-SESSION DIALOGUES</h2> <div class="card-text"><p><strong>Four-session dialogues</strong> guide students through peer-led discussions on societal issues, exploring diverse identities and perspectives. Sessions include topic exploration, discussing actions, building consensus, and reflecting on outcomes. Participants leave with greater empathy and skills for inclusive dialogue. This program integrates well in courses seeking an immersive deliberative dialogue experience.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_divider"> <div> <hr class="divider spacing-xlarge rule-small" id="umd_terp_paragraph--3311"> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_text"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--3312"> <h2>Get Involved</h2><p>Learn more about <strong>paid positions</strong> as a Peer Dialogue Leader or Multicultural Advocate on our <a href="https://reslife.umd.edu/join-our-team/undergraduate-student-employment" title="Student Employment">Student Employment page</a>.</p><p>If you have any questions or would like more information on the program, please reach out to Nikita Kimani, Coordinator for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at <a href="mailto:nkimani@umd.edu" title="nkimani@umd.edu">nkimani@umd.edu</a>.</p><p> </p><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Common-Ground-Logo_1.png" data-entity-uuid="9b52e982-9768-4c25-a2d9-be8a25399ff9" data-entity-type="file" alt="Common Ground logo" width="450" height="128" class="align-center" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <footer class="site-footer" aria-label="Main"> <div class="site-footer-main"> <div class="max-bound"> <nav class="site-footer-nav" aria-label="Footer"> <ul> <li> <a href="/about-us" title="About the Department of Resident Life" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/103">About</a> </li> <li> <a href="/terp-housing/apply" title="Apply for Housing at the University of Maryland" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/318">Apply</a> </li> <li> <a href="/terp-housing" title="Terp Housing Page - Step Into Your New Home at UMD " data-drupal-link-system-path="node/99">Terp Housing</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://starrez.umd.edu/" title="Login to the Housing Portal - Resident Life, University of Maryland">Housing Portal</a> </li> <li> <a href="/about-us/contact-us" title="Contact the Department of Resident Life" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/104">Contact Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/articles/site-map" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/366">Site Map</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="site-footer-about"> <div class="site-footer-logo"> <img src="/sites/default/files/dsa-drl-footer-logo.png" alt="Department of Resident Life footer logo"> </div> <div class="site-footer-address"> <strong>Department of Resident Life</strong><br> <span>7626 Regents Drive, 2101 Annapolis Hall, College Park, MD 20742</span><br> <a aria-label="3013142100" href="tel:+3013142100">301-314-2100</a> <span aria-hidden="true"> · </span> <a href="mailto:reslife@umd.edu">reslife@umd.edu</a> </div> <div class="site-footer-social"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://twitter.com/umdreslife" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Twitter</span> <span class="icon icon-twitter" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UMDreslife" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Facebook</span> <span class="icon icon-facebook" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/UMDReslife/" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Instagram</span> <span class="icon icon-instagram" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/umdreslife" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Youtube</span> <span class="icon icon-youtube" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="site-footer-legal"> <div class="max-bound"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://umd.edu" target="_blank">UMD.edu</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.umd.edu/web-accessibility">Web Accessibility</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.umd.edu/privacy-notice" target="_blank">Privacy Notice</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </footer> <a href="#" class="back-to-top">Back to Top</a> </div> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/316","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"8d6e40ea470fa682f3e79d63956245e7152d8aaae4503f8aec2658ad9a734c20"}}</script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_EnscVg7pLPOKwIsyUs1890r_P1kkHeZ6sL0DQVYei4c.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=umd_terp&include=eJwrzU2JL0ktKtBPz8lPSszRKQXyi5Mz8vNzyjNTUuMzUhNTUov0QaIQJgDTjxMI"></script> <script src="https://umd-header.umd.edu/build/bundle.js?search=1&search_domain=reslife&events=0&news=0&schools=0&admissions=0&support=0&support_url=&wrapper=&sticky=0"></script> </body> </html>