Â鶹ŮÑÝÔ±

Promoting Civil Discourse and Public Debate

Upon graduation, VMI cadets shall understand, among other things, the ideals of the American Constitution. * The Constitution protects free civil discourse and public debate without censorship. VMI's ideals include civility, a behavior reflecting a commitment to respectful living and treating everyone with dignity and fairness.* 
 
Since 2017, the CLE has offered programming to educate, engage, and inspire civil debate on topics from a marketplace of ideas. We began by introducing the Braver Angels organization to our leadership conference audiences. Today, in partnership with the VMI Building BRIDGES Club, we are part of the national Colleges Debates and Discourse Alliance (CD&D).  
 
Additionally, the CLE organizes more traditional debate programming in partnership with the Steamboat Institute. The Steamboat Institute debates began in 2018, bringing compelling discussions on the day's most pressing topics to college campuses and engaging conservatives, liberals, and centrists. 

*Source: publication. 

---

Â鶹ŮÑÝÔ± VMI Civil Discourse Initiative

In an era where civility is often lacking, this initiative helps our cadets express their views, frame persuasive arguments, listen deeply, and engage respectfully with one another around issues that can be difficult and divisive. Debates and workshops are conducted using a light parliamentary style and guided by a trained chairperson. These debates are not about winning but about collective thoughtfulness, respect, and a search for truth. Each debate centers on a resolution that is chosen in advance. Each speaker has up to four minutes to present their argument, followed by a response to questions from audience participants, who address their questions to the chair. The debate concludes with a debriefing session. Learn more from a May 2025 VMI News article on the program’s spring activities.

Â鶹ŮÑÝÔ± Institute was designated as one of only ten colleges nationwide to be named a “Community of Practice” in 2022 by the national through a two-year grant from the John Templeton Foundation. The CD&D is a collaboration between Braver Angels, ACTA, and BridgeUSA. Since then, VMI's program has held at least two debates per semester, and it has also expanded to include our local higher education peers for intercollegiate debates. The VMI Civil Discourse Initiative now receives support from the Jackson Hope Fund.

This program is a partnership between the Center and the cadet Building BRIDGES program.  In addition to the debates and (ABCD) workshops, the Initiative also hosts monthly Food for Thought discussions. These small, informal gatherings of ten or fewer cadets, staff and faculty provide an opportunity for deliberate sharing of thoughts and opinions with people who might not normally have the opportunity to have these types of conversations. 

 

CDI Program Offerings:

• ?
• A Braver Campus Debate (ABCD) Workshop promotes dialogue through solution-oriented conversations. With the guidance of a trained moderator, participants collaborate to understand the root causes of an issue and explore potential solutions.
• Public Square Debates engage colleges, communities, and high schools in civil debates. 
• Food for Thought: Lunchtime conversations on predetermined topics open to the VMI community in a small, casual setting.

---

Â鶹ŮÑÝÔ± the Steamboat Institute Campus Liberty Tour Debates 

In addition to CDI programming, the Center hosts a traditional-style debate as part of the Steamboat Institute Campus Liberty Tour. This debate forum features two notable debate speakers, one in favor of the resolution and one opposed. Each has a turn providing an opening argument and then debating the topic among themselves. Debates feature a pre- and post-survey on the audience’s stance regarding the proposed resolution. Topics support VMI’s Annual Leadership Theme and Americans’ Constitutional right to free speech and debate.  

The is dedicated to defending freedom and advocating for liberty. The Institute admires the bravery and rugged individualism that have made this country great and the greatness and wisdom that reside in every individual. It understands that the greatness of this nation stems from its people, not from its government. In the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, The Steamboat Institute believes it is better to be “exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it.” 

The Steamboat Institute is committed to education and is recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Institute provides tools, information, and inspiration to those who hold the nation's founding principles dear. 

For more information about the Steamboat Debates partnership, contact Lt. Col. Kim Connolly at connollykv@vmi.edu. 

---

Event Topics:

  Fall 2025   

• Sept. 9: ABCD Dialogue Workshop
  • Open to the public and area colleges
  • Location: Marshall Hall
  • Topic: How Can We Improve Our Local Economy
• Sept. 15: Food for Thought
  • Guided lunchtime conversation for cadets & faculty/staff
  • Topic: Freedom of speech
• Sept. 30: Steamboat Institute Debate
  • Resolution: The U.S. is in a Constitutional Crisis
  • Speakers Jonathan Turley, J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law, George Washington
    University Law School; Daniel Farbman, Associate Professor & McHale Faculty Research Scholar, Boston
    College Law School
• Oct 1: Food for Thought
  • Guided lunchtime conversation for cadets & faculty/staff
  • Topic: Discuss Steamboat debate topic: Is the U.S. in a Constitutional Crisis?
• Nov. 5: Food for Thought
  • Guided lunchtime conversation for cadets & faculty/staff
  • Topic: What sustains you during tough times?
• Dec. 2: Public Square Debate (VA250 Event)
  • Open to area colleges, community, and high schools
  • Topic: The American Dream is Alive and Well.
• SPRING 2026
• January 19: Food for Thought
  • Guided lunchtime conversation for cadets & faculty/staff
  • Topic: Should America Act as the Global Police?
• January 30: ABCD Workshop co-hosted by VMI's Committee on Academic Technology. "AI, Creativity and Critical Thinking at VMI."
  • Open to faculty, staff and cadets
  • Solutions-based workshop
• February 9: VMI-Centered Debate
  • Open to cadets, faculty, staff and alumni
  • Resolution: The VMI Honor System Cultivates Integrity Rather Than Mere Compliance.
• February 25: Food for Thought
  • Guided lunchtime conversation for cadets & faculty/staff-guided lunchtime conversation for cadets & faculty/staff 
  • Topic: "From reaction to response: managing anger in a world that rewards outrage” 
• March 6: Half Day Workshop
  • Open to cadets, faculty and staff
  • “Cultivating Curious Individuals, Teams, and Organizations.”
  • Workshop presented by Todd Kashdan, who is among the world’s top experts on the psychology of well-being, psychological strengths, mental agility, and social relationships
• March 11: Food for Thought
  • Guided lunchtime conversation for cadets & faculty/staff 
  • Topic: Does VMI balance the 3-legged stool well? 
• April 22: Food for Thought
  • Guided lunchtime conversation for cadets & faculty/staff 
  • Topic: "Capital punishment"
  • Follows an April 21 panel discussion presented by VMI's Dept. of History

Past debate topics:

Debate:

• FALL 2025: "Be it resolved, the U.S. is experiencing a Constitutional Crisis."
  • Speakers: , faculty member of George Washington University Law School, and nationally recognized legal scholar who has served as legal analyst for CBS, NBC and Fox New, argued in the negative.
  • , associate professor at Boston College Law School, argued in the affirmative.
  • on our YouTube channel, or read the VMI news article.
• FALL 2024: "Be it resolved, the U.S. should use its diplomatic and military power around the globe to ensure America’s national security."
  • Speakers: , former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and former U.S. National Security Advisor, argued in the affirmative.
  • , former 2024 Republican U.S. Presidential candidate and New York Times best-selling author, argued in the negative. 
  • on our YouTube channel or read the VMI News article. 

Past Debates and Workshops:

• “VMI continues to hold its cadets to the highest standards.” 
  • Internal audience
• “Should monuments perceived as symbols of oppression be removed from public spaces?”
  • Intercollegiate audience with outside guests:  Southern Virginia University, Washington & Lee University, Mountain Gateway Community College, and VMI
• ABCD Workshop: "How can VMI foster greater understanding and integration between athletes and non-athletes to strengthen a shared commitment to the Institute's mission and values."
  • Internal audience
• “Should Undocumented Immigrants to the U.S. Be Deported?”
  • Intercollegiate audience with outside guests:  Southern Virginia University, Washington & Lee University, Mountain Gateway Community College, and VMI
• Should Americans Receive a Universal Basic Income?
  • Held Thursday, Feb. 22, from 7-9 p.m. at Southern Virginia University, Buena Vista, VA
    Intercollegiate Audiences from SVU, WLU, VMI, and Mountain Gateway Community College
    
    • Read the .
• Does the Corps truly lead the Corps?
  
  • Held Wed., Feb. 28, from 7-9 p.m. in the Hall of Valor
    Internal Audience
• 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 .
• 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 on March 2, 2023, this debate, led by cadets 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.

---

Lunchtime 'Food for Thought' discussions:

• Misinformation, free speech, and TikTok
• Addiction in society
• The Rat-Dyke relationship
• Should the legal drinking age be 18?
•  Athlete Non-Athlete Divide at VMI
  
  • This event continued the previous discussion in the larger format debate.
• Does the US have an obligation to intervene in international conflicts?