Virginia Military Institute outlines civil discourse program, schedules Sept. 21 workshop

Colonel Sarah Whipple, a psychology professor and member of Virginia Military Institute’s Civil Discourse Initiative, told the Board of Visitors that the program trains cadets to engage across disagreement and fosters what she called “a respectful, constructive, intentional way of communicating aimed at fostering understanding, especially on contentious issues.”

The initiative, Whipple said, runs Braver Angels-style debates, Braver Campus Dialogue (ABCD) workshops focused on solutions, trainings for faculty and cadets, and smaller "food for thought" lunchtime conversations that pair students with faculty. The presenters invited the board and community to an ABCD workshop scheduled for Monday, Sept. 21, intended to address how the corps can foster integrity rather than mere compliance.

A presenter described the debate format as a light parliamentary model with a debate chair, four opening speakers (two affirmative, two negative), short 2–3 minute opening statements and audience questions directed to the chair to preserve civility and organization. Examples of recent topics included internal VMI policy (Dec. 2024), an intercollegiate immigration debate (Sept. 2024) and discussions on monuments and K–12 book challenges.

Colonel Valentina Dimitrova Grama, who leads the ABCD workshops, said those sessions emphasize actionable outcomes. “We did take the the notes and we put them in chat GPT,” she said, explaining that the team used the tool to consolidate workshop notes and produce a report that was shared with local governments and the Chamber of Commerce. The initiative followed up on an ABCD event about improving the local economy by sending a report to local officials; she said the response included interest in university–government collaboration on data analysis and policy evaluation.

Cadet Zach Richardson described informal lunchtime events that allow in-depth discussion with faculty and guest speakers and highlighted an intercollegiate VA250 democracy exercise in which cadets worked with peers to propose generational changes to the constitution. “This initiative is super cool,” Richardson said, adding that the events give cadets opportunities to engage with differing viewpoints outside the formal classroom.

Presenters also described in-person trainings and a half-day workshop that drew about 25 faculty, staff and students; they said a broader fall training will provide more practical exercises for debate chairs and for responding to disruptions. In response to an audience question about handling disruptors, presenters said the national program provides debate-chair training and that the VMI team will add tailored practice during the fall.

The initiative said it has both faculty and cadet fellows who help run events; the transcript contains inconsistent counts for cadet fellows (at one point the presenters say there are four cadet fellows and elsewhere refer to "one of six other cadets"). Presenters directed board members to the CLE web page and VMI News for schedules and said Bill Wyatt has a detailed packet with further information for board members.

No formal board action was taken during the briefing. The initiative requested board participation at the Sept. 21 ABCD workshop; organizers said they will continue follow-up with local governments on collaborative projects identified in their reports.