Queen’s university has hired six students as “dialogue facilitators” in an attempt to improve sensitivity and embrace diversity.
The program, introduced last week, has the facilitators living and working on campus residences. Their job is to prevent offensive language, like racial slurs or homophobic and misogynist remarks. For example, facilitators would stop students from using phrases like “that’s so gay” and “retard” in conversations that are loud enough for a third party to overhear. They will also hold movie nights and book readings on a range of social issues on campus.
Reactions vary. “Having a program like this in place could stifle public discussion if people are worried their private conversations are being monitored,” Angela Hickman, managing editor of the campus newspaper Queen’s Journal, told the Globe and Mail. The Journal published an editorial criticizing the program, calling it a lackluster effort.
Jason Laker, dean of student affairs at Queen’s, disagreed. “If people are having a conversation with offensive content and they’re doing it loud enough for a third person to hear it […] it’s not private,” he said.
Laker said the new “intergroup dialogue program” focuses on respectful, non-confrontational discussions that don’t impede freedoms. “This is difficult work, it needs to be done respectfully.” Laker said. “There really is no interference. “
The introduction of intergroup programs and facilitators is not new. Universities in the U.S. have also put them into practice, but those have included credit courses taught by faculty members in addition to training the intergroup facilitators.
Queen’s facilitators went through an 11-day training course briefing them on a number of social issues and possible scenarios.
Daniel Hayward is a student facilitator who started working in August. He said he’s already had success discussing a variety of social issues with students.
He also said that much of the work that is done by the facilitators is more subtle than intervening in conversations. “It’s helping to create an atmosphere of inclusivity,” said Hayward.
