Virginia Military Institute has been designated as one of only ten colleges in the nation to be named a “Community of Practice” from Braver Angels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting civil discourse, in their College Debates and Discourse Program, through a grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

In an era when civility is not often the norm in resolving disputes, Braver Angels’ trained experts teach students to express their views, frame persuasive arguments, listen deeply, and engage respectfully with each other around issues that are typically difficult and divisive. Their debates are not competitive but a collective exercise in thoughtfulness, respect, and a search for the truth. They are conducted in a light parliamentary style and guided by a trained chairperson. Each debate centers around a resolution that is chosen in advance. Each speaker has up to four minutes to present their argument, then answer questions from audience participants who address their questions to the chair. At the end of the debate, there is a short debriefing session. Learn more in a news article from January 2023 - VMI Promotes Civil Discourse Through Debate Program.

Event Topics:

Spring 2024

Past events:

• Should controversial books be banned in K-12 schools?
  • Held Nov. 25, 2023, VMI invited several area colleges to join us in this forum.
    • Read the VMI News coverage.
    • Editorial story in the Richmond Times.
• Does a commitment to civility take care of diversity and inclusion issues?
  • Held Sept. 25, 2023, this first debate of the academic year was an internal discussion for current cadets, faculty, and staff. 
• The Athlete / Non-Athlete Divide at VMI
  • Held Mar. 2, 2023, this debate by cadets and for cadets examined a topic focused on the unique experiences at VMI.
• Should women be assigned combat roles?
  • Held Feb. 28, 2022, this debate explored the changing roles of women in military service, a topic uniquely connected to the VMI experience.

VMI has also hosted smaller debates during lunch in Crozet Hall.

• Should the legal drinking age be 18?
  • Held February 21, 2024.
•  Athlete Non-Athlete Divide at VMI
  • Held January 24, 2024.
  • This event was a continuation of the previous discussion in the larger format debate.
• Does the US have an obligation to intervene in international conflicts?
  
  • Held October 18, 2023.

For more information, contact Col. Valentina Dimitrova-Grajzl at Dimitrova-grajzlvp@vmi.edu.