To that end, the Pluralism Committee, with support from InterFaith America, is pleased to award ten $500 grants to faculty, staff, and student organizations that seek to incorporate pluralism into their class content and/or university events.
University campuses can be places where people from diverse identities and divergent ideologies learn from one another, and places that actively equip students with the knowledge base, mindset and skillset to serve as bridge-builders in a divided world. From the admissions process to first-year orientation to the general education curriculum, students should understand that the university seeks to model pluralism and to teach the skills for constructive engagement across differences.
We want to build an institutional commitment to pluralism and civic engagement to support our responsibilities as a regional public comprehensive university. Our mission and vision both discuss the importance of developing student capacity to support and be active in their communities.
Program requirements: Awardees are expected to dedicate a minimum of 55 minutes (or equivalent time to one class period or organization meeting time). As part of developing these opportunities, participants will attend a one-hour workshop exploring what pluralism means and how to utilize dialogical practices in these discussions. All participants are expected to submit a brief report on their experience by Jan. 31, 2026.
Learning outcomes: When planning your class or event, please consider the following learning outcomes. At least one of the outcomes needs to be met.
- Participants will relate using dialogical practices to discuss topics across differences.
- Participants will recognize multiple perspectives and viewpoints as they engage in pluralist discussions.
- Participants will identify ways to cooperate across their shared points of commonality.
Please note that the event or class course must occur within the fall 2025 semester.
Application process: Applications must be completed by midnight on September 30, 2025. You can find the application via this link. The Pluralism Sub-working Committee will review applications through September. Participants will be notified of acceptance or rejection of their application by Oct. 6, 2025.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Lillian Evans, lillian.evans@oswego.edu.
Thank you,
Pluralism Working Committee
Lillian Evans, Director, Triandiflou Institute
Anneke McEvoy, Deputy Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, AAO
Matthew McLeskey, Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice
Mary Ann Preston, Institutional Research and Assessment
Heath Wood, Vice President for University Advancement