Event to promote ‘open dialogue’ as students and faculty navigate tough classroom conversations

The Oakland University Student Congress (OUSC) and Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) will co-host a student panel event on facilitating challenging, yet essential classroom conversations between students and faculty. 

Faculty will gain insights into creating supportive spaces for discussions on controversial topics, learn what approaches students find most effective, and have the opportunity to ask questions and share strategies. 

“With the political environment being so contentious, it can be incredibly hard to tackle these issues in a classroom setting,” said OUSC’s CETL Student Liaison Lance Markowitz. “Especially in a manner where both the faculty member and student feel comfortable sharing.”

Markowitz will moderate the discussion along with CETL Associate Director Dr. Christina Moore.

“At this moment, faculty are working through different challenges, including AI’s influence in the classroom and political tensions influencing core educational values,” said Dr. Moore. “This is a perfect time to pause and listen to how students are experiencing these issues. This panel event energizes faculty and helps them prioritize what matters most in their classes, and what faculty efforts make the most impact on them.”

Student panelists are Mackenzie Smith, Alevia Kakos, Kiera Raymond and Larissa Giacomin.

Markowitz served on the event’s panelist selection committee with students Mario Prisciandaro, Mathew Seidel, Javier Rosario and Dominique Hormillosa. He sees the event as an opportunity to break down barriers of fear and discomfort, paving the way for mutual respect and understanding.

“Events like the student panel are highly necessary to promote increased understanding. Student surveys cannot provide the depth of feedback that direct open dialogue can,” said Markowitz. “This event helps faculty better understand how students want controversy to be addressed in the classroom, which makes a more comfortable and open environment for all.” 

The event will take place from 3-4 p.m. on Monday, March 17, in Room 430R of Kresge Library. Participants can attend in person or via Zoom. Register for the student panel event. For more information, email [email protected].