March 12, 2024

Dear Campus Community,

Please join our UM Community on Wednesday, March 27, for an opportunity to practice conversation, curiosity and civil dialogue.

In partnership with UM's Co-Lab for Civic Imagination led by Michael Rohd, UM will host an all-day Democracy Summit, which will feature a day of creative activities, speakers, panels and conversations across multiple campus locations.

Democracy Summit events will take place in buildings all over campus with more than 25 congruent sessions. Events are open to all UM faculty, staff and students. The event is paired with the President's Lecture Series with Dr. Danielle Allen titled "Bringing Democracy Back from the Brink: a Strategic Vision and a Call to Action."

Here at UM, an environment of free expression is indispensable to our mission of fostering inclusive prosperity. Yet, doing so feels as difficult today as ever. I invite you as a member of the UM community to join me in actively playing a role in our University's obligation to build rather than abandon a robust climate of dialogue and to cultivate - through your daily actions - curiosity, exploration and respect.

The Democracy Summit is an opportunity to explore what this looks and feels like in practice.

Plan to join a student-designed session, a workshop or discussion facilitated by one of our faculty or staff, a session led by one of our Missoula County Commissioners, a conversation with Missoula Mayor Davis, or one of the day's many other participatory dialogues.

Three questions will guide our conversations throughout the day:

• What can UM do, in the classroom and beyond, to prepare students to be active participants in a democratic society?
• What do UM students want from the University when it comes to a democracy education?
• What can we imagine together that can build and sustain institutions and communities rooted in healthy democratic practices?

Please plan to attend Democracy Summit sessions and encourage students, faculty and staff to attend as well. No registration is necessary. A culminating gathering at 3:15 p.m. in the UC Ballroom will be held to reflect on the day, followed by Dr. Danielle Allen as our President's Lecture Series at 7:30 p.m. in the UC Ballroom.

I look forward to learning alongside you.

Seth