KALAMAZOO, Mich.—With a goal to change campus culture and expand viewpoint diversity, Western joined 22 other colleges and universities across the United States and Canada in Heterodox Academy’s Campus Community Network.
The nonpartisan organization is dedicated to improving institutions of higher education by advocating for principles of viewpoint diversity, open inquiry and constructive disagreement. Joining Western in this inaugural cohort of the Campus Community Network are Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, among others.
Network teams will work to transform the culture of campus and institutional practices through events, monthly gatherings and collaboration with leaders. Each Campus Community receives at least $3,000 in program expenses to support activities in the first year, intensive consulting from Heterodox Academy and peer support from across the network.
The Campus Community Network is an expansion of the ideals promoted through the University’s We Talk initiative. Its purpose is to foster a culture of responsible and respective civic, social, political and policy engagement. Program features include Free Speech Cafés, Moving Conversations @ WMU and campus visits from high-profile thought leaders, such as Dave Isay, founder of StoryCorps; Irshad Manji, educator and founder of Moral Courage College; and U.S. Congressional Representatives Debbie Dingell and Fred Upton’s Civility Tour. ■