Chippewa Valley Times

UW-Eau Claire is implementing initiatives to help students overcome communication apprehension in controversial discussions, based on research by Dr. April Bleske-Rechek, a psychology professor at the university. These efforts aim to equip students with skills for lifelong civic engagement.

Dr. Bleske-Rechek's work and the university's initiatives were highlighted in "The Leaflet," a publication of The Higher Learning Commission, which praised UW-Eau Claire’s leadership on First Amendment issues and civil dialogue as exemplary for other institutions.

“Helping students discover and grow their communication and critical thinking skills is a foundational aspect of UW-Eau Claire’s mission,” stated Chancellor James Schmidt. He emphasized that empowering students to engage in reasoned dialogue on complex topics fosters self-confidence among graduates.

Bleske-Rechek led a survey across Wisconsin universities about student perceptions of free expression on campuses. The 2022 study revealed significant apprehension among students regarding speaking up on controversial subjects.

She sought better data to assess specific interventions' impact on attitudes toward civil dialogue. “Evidence across the nation suggests that students feel unwilling to share their views or are apathetic toward engaging with those who view the world differently from them,” she noted.

With support from the UW-Eau Claire Foundation, Bleske-Rechek conducted a pilot study in fall 2023 using the Unify America College Bowl, where students with differing political beliefs engaged in guided conversations. Over half reported valuing diverse viewpoints more post-discussion.

A follow-up randomized controlled trial in spring 2024 showed that while many would not engage unless required, those who did often experienced short-term attitude changes. “The findings support the possibility that a guided civil dialogue… can enhance students’ attitudes toward expressing their views and their evaluations of those with political views different than their own,” Bleske-Rechek reported.

Parker Anderson, a senior psychology major from Jamestown, Tennessee, shared his experience discussing gun violence and taxes during his College Bowl conversation: “I realized that I may have more in common with people who have different beliefs than I thought.”

In October 2023, leaders from Unify America and BridgeUSA visited UW-Eau Claire to discuss civil discourse on college campuses. Following this event, Dr. Adam Kunz became advisor to BridgeEauClaire, a student chapter of BridgeUSA promoting understanding through discussion rather than debate.

Kunz explained that BridgeEauClaire allows for important topic discussions without partisan pressure: “If more faculty and administrators can encourage their students to participate in these activities, UWEC can be a Universities of Wisconsin leader in helping students break out of echo chambers.”

BridgeEauClaire has held workshops on various topics like education politics and international relations. Chapter president Grace Schnabl remarked: “The discussions have been full of diverse perspectives...there was a genuine effort to listen and understand each other.”

The Menard Center for Constitutional Studies supports programming around free speech and civil dialogue at UW-Eau Claire. Dr. Eric Kasper emphasized teaching both speech protections under the First Amendment and civil dialogue value: “It is vital that our students learn...the value of civil dialogue.”

Chancellor Schmidt expressed pride in faculty efforts supporting student participation amid social media-dominated environments: “New experiences...may help more of today’s students develop the skills needed to engage in respectful discussions even when they know their classmates may hold different beliefs.”