Promoting Civil Discourse and Public Debate

Upon graduation, VMI cadets shall understand, among other things, the ideals of the American Constitution.* The Constitution protects free civil discourse and public debate without censorship. VMI's ideals include civility, a behavior reflecting a commitment to respectful living and treating everyone with dignity and fairness.*

Since 2017, the Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE) has offered programming to educate, engage, and inspire civil debate on topics from a marketplace of ideas. We began by introducing the Braver Angels organization to our leadership conference audiences. Today, in partnership with the VMI Building BRIDGES Club, we are part of the Colleges Debates and Discourse Alliance (CD&D). 

Additionally, the CLE organizes more traditional debate programming in partnership with the Steamboat Institute. The Steamboat Institute debates began in 2018, bringing compelling discussions on the day's most pressing topics to college campuses and engaging conservatives, liberals, and centrists.

*Source: The VMI Leader Journey publication. 

---

About VMI Civil Discourse Initiative

Virginia Military Institute has been designated as one of only ten colleges nationwide to be named a “Community of Practice” by the national College Debates and Discourse Alliance through a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. The CD&D is a collaboration between Braver Angels, ACTA, and BridgeUSA.

In an era where civility is often lacking, CD&D experts train students to express their views, frame persuasive arguments, listen deeply, and engage respectfully with one another around issues that are usually difficult and divisive. These debates are not about winning but about collective thoughtfulness, respect, and a search for truth. They are conducted using a light parliamentary style and guided by a trained chairperson. Each debate centers on a resolution that is chosen in advance. Each speaker has up to four minutes to present their argument, followed by a response to questions from audience participants, who address their questions to the chair. The debate concludes with a debriefing session. Learn more from a January 2023 VMI News article  - VMI Promotes Civil Discourse Through Debate Program.

This program is a partnership between the Center and the cadet Building BRIDGES program. For more information about VMI's CD&D programs and opportunities, contact Col. Valentina Dimitrova-Grajzl at Dimitrova-grajzlvp@vmi.edu. 

 

CDI Program Offerings:

• What is a Braver Angels Debate?
• A Braver Campus Debate (ABCD) Workshop promotes dialogue through solution-oriented conversations. With the guidance of a trained moderator, participants collaborate to understand the root causes of an issue and explore potential solutions.
• Public Square Debates engage colleges, communities, and high schools in civil debates. 
• Food for Thought: Lunchtime conversations on predetermined topics open to the VMI community in a small, casual setting.

---

About the Steamboat Institute Campus Liberty Tour Debates 

In addition to CDI programming, the CLE hosts a traditional-style debate as part of the Steamboat Institute Campus Liberty Tour. This debate forum features two notable debate speakers, one in favor of the resolution and one opposed. Each has a turn providing an opening argument and then debating the topic among themselves. Debates feature a pre- and post-survey on the audience’s stance regarding the proposed resolution. Topics support VMI’s Annual Leadership Theme and Americans’ Constitutional right to free speech and debate. 

The Steamboat Institute is dedicated to defending freedom and advocating for liberty. The Institute admires the bravery and rugged individualism that have made this country great and the greatness and wisdom that reside in every individual. It understands that the greatness of this nation stems from its people, not from its government. In the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, The Steamboat Institute believes it is better to be “exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it.” 

The Steamboat Institute is committed to education and is recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Institute provides tools, information, and inspiration to those who hold the nation's founding principles dear. 

For more information about the Steamboat Debates partnership, contact Lt. Col. Kim Connolly at conollykv@vmi.edu. 

---

Event Topics:

  Fall 2025   

• Sept. 9: ABCD Dialogue Workshop
  • Open to the public and area colleges
  • Location: Marshall Hall
  • Topic: TBD
  • Registration pending
• Sept. 15: VMI-Centric Topic
  • Exclusive to the VMI Community
  • Location: Marshall Hall
  • Topic: TBD
  • Registration pending
• Sept. 30: Steamboat Institute Debate
  • Open to the public
  • Location: Gillis Theater in Marshall Hall.
  • Resolution: The U.S. is in a Constitutional Crisis
  • Speakers TBD
  • Registration pending, seating is limited
• Dec. 2: Public Square Debate (VA250 Event)
  • Open to area colleges, community, and high schools
  • Location: Marshall Hall
  • Topic: TBD
  • Registration info pending

Past debate topics:

Steamboat Institute Debate:

• "Be it resolved, the U.S. should use its diplomatic and military power around the globe to ensure America’s national security."
  • Speakers: John Bolton, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and former U.S. National Security Advisor, argued in the affirmative.
  • Vivek Ramaswamy, former 2024 Republican U.S. Presidential candidate and New York Times best-selling author, argued in the negative. 
  • Tom Rogan, a foreign policy/National Security Writer for the Washington Examiner, and Tony Blankley, a Senior Fellow at Steamboat Institute, will moderate the discussion. 
  • View the debate on our YouTube channel or read the VMI News article. 

Civil Discourse & Debates:

• “Should Undocumented Immigrants to the U.S. Be Deported?”
  • Intercollegiate Audience with Outside Guests:  Southern Virginia University, Washington & Lee University, Mountain Gateway Community College, and VMI
• Should Americans Receive a Universal Basic Income?
  • Held Thursday, Feb. 22, from 7-9 p.m. at Southern Virginia University, Buena Vista, VA
    Intercollegiate Audiences from SVU, WLU, VMI, and Mountain Gateway Community College
    
    • Read the Alumni Agencies article.
• Does the Corps truly lead the Corps?
  
  • Held Wed., Feb. 28, from 7-9 p.m. in the Hall of Valor
    Internal Audience
• Should controversial books be banned in K-12 schools?
  • Held Nov. 25, 2023, VMI invited several area colleges to join us in this forum.
    • Read the VMI News coverage.
    • Editorial story in the Richmond Times.
• Does a commitment to civility take care of diversity and inclusion issues?
  • Held Sept. 25, 2023, this first debate of the academic year was an internal discussion for current cadets, faculty, and staff. 
• The Athlete / Non-Athlete Divide at VMI
  • Held on March 2, 2023, this debate, led by cadets for cadets, examined a topic focused on the unique experiences at VMI.
• Should women be assigned combat roles?
  • Held Feb. 28, 2022, this debate explored the changing roles of women in military service, a topic uniquely connected to the VMI experience.

---

Lunchtime 'Food for Thought' discussions:

• Should the legal drinking age be 18?
  • Held February 21, 2024.
•  Athlete Non-Athlete Divide at VMI
  • Held January 24, 2024.
  • This event continued the previous discussion in the larger format debate.
• Does the US have an obligation to intervene in international conflicts?
  
  • Held October 18, 2023.