Augustana University Announces Election 2024 Initiative to Cultivate Curiosity, Exhibit Courage and Practice Civility

Augustana University is proud to announce the launch of the Election 2024: Curiosity, Courage & Civility Initiative ahead of the U.S. general election in November. This is a university-wide initiative to encourage members of the Augustana community to cultivate curiosity, exhibit courage and practice civility during a polarizing season in America.

"As a university community rooted in faith, we are called to lead with curiosity, courage and civility as we navigate times and topics that can sometimes be divisive and uncomfortable. God's love inspires us to respect our neighbors of every political persuasion, and we strive to help every member of the Augustana community grow in the practice of listening to deepen understanding," said Rev. Ann Rosendale '04, Augustana campus pastor, who also serves on the initiative's task force.

Through a series of events, the Election 2024: Curiosity, Courage & Civility Initiative aims to encourage Augustana students, faculty and staff to celebrate their freedoms and responsibilities as citizens, tend to their mental health and better manage conflict during tense times. The events will provide the AU community with dedicated time and space to reflect on current issues and talk about politics, as well as take breaks from politics. The series of events will begin in September with roundtable discussions involving leaders of student organizations on campus and culminate with the university's second annual Critical Inquiry & Citizenship Colloquium on Nov. 13-14 - just eight days following the U.S. general election.

The initiative also invites the AU community to sign a pledge, or a commitment to maintain civility while engaging in dialogue with others.

"Augustana students have a well-earned reputation for being curious, engaging and high-achieving. The Election 2024 initiative is a great opportunity for students to continue to be curious and bold in their journey. By providing events around campus, students and the Augustana community can openly discuss politics (or not) in a forward-thinking, collaborative manner. Many of us tend to vent in stifling online echo chambers, but the Election 2024 initiative offers an alternative: engaging with those who hold opposing views, listening carefully and respectfully, and cultivating curiosity rather than arrogance in our beliefs. This is a meaningful initiative, and one with which I hope all students and the AU community engage," said Annie Johnston '25, Augustana Student Association (ASA) president.

In 2020, Augustana launched a similar initiative to encourage listening, learning and civil discourse through an effort called "With Malice Toward None," imagined by the national bipartisan group Braver Angels.

To learn more about the Election 2024: Curiosity, Courage & Civility Initiative and view the full schedule of events, visit augie.edu/Civility2024.