President's Office

Conflict & Community: A Pluralism Series

As we lean into what it means to educate and learn in the liberal arts tradition, the President’s Office at Colorado College invites proposals for the 2024-25 series, Conflict & Community.

This academic-year-long series will engage our community in discourse across differences in perspective, experience, ideology, and identity, promoting shared understanding of, and empathy for, the human condition. We invite proposals for trainings, workshops, lectures, book discussions, and small group dinners that challenge participants to think and feel differently.

plu·ral·ism (noun): Pluralism is the recognition and respect for a diversity of perspectives, beliefs, and values within a community or society, emphasizing that these differences can coexist in a way that enriches and strengthens collective well-being. In the context of events that support conflict resolution and community-building, pluralism promotes open dialogue, understanding, and collaboration among people with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints. Such events aim to foster skills for navigating disagreements constructively and build an inclusive community atmosphere where all voices are valued, and shared goals can be achieved through mutual respect and empathy.

Funded Projects

Click on program name for more details (as available).

On This Page:

Program Deadline

Programs must take place before the end of the 2024-25 Block 8 (May 14, 2025).

Please Note: awards will be made on a rolling basis and funds are limited. Priority will be given to proposals addressing issues pertinent to the Colorado College community, including alumni and families.

Series Goals

  • Highlight the critical role of interdisciplinary education in unpacking complex social issues.
  • Promote practices of conflict resolution through meaningful conversations across divergent beliefs, positions, etc.
  • Prioritize solutions and skill building.
  • Enhance understanding and connection among communities.
  • Share and celebrate diverse perspectives.
  • Expand liberal arts learning beyond the classroom setting.

Funding & Eligibility

  • Proposals may be submitted by CC faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners.
  • Programs must be held on campus and have at least one campus-based project team member to organize the event.
  • Programs must be accessible to both campus and external communities.
  • Funding is capped, but not guaranteed, at $10,000.
    • allowable expenses: space rental, audio/visual support, marketing materials, refreshments
    • requests for speaker’s fees up to $5,000 will be considered

Program Formats

Programs may include, but are not limited to, the following formats:

  • Workshops
  • Lectures
  • Panel Talks
  • Book Discussions
  • Salons
  • Small Dinners
  • Interactive Sessions

Proposal Requirements

Interested applicants should complete the online proposal form HERE. You will be required to provide:

  1. Title of Program
  2. Program Description
    • Outline the content, objectives, and format of the proposed program.
  3. Relevance to Conflict & Community Theme
    • Explain how the program addresses issues of pluralism, conflict resolution, and community building.
  4. Target Audience
    • Identify the intended audience and any strategies for reaching diverse participants.
    • Include an estimate of audience size.
  5. Expected Outcomes
    • Describe the anticipated impact and outcomes of the program.
  6. Budget & Funding Request
    • Provide a detailed project budget.
    • Specify amount of funding requested.
  7. Timeline & Project Team Responsibilities
    • Include proposed date and time for the program, along with a timeline for preparation and execution.

      Note: The President’s Office will support selected projects through a financial award only. Project teams are responsible for all program logistics including:

      • Reserving venue space
      • Coordinating space set-up with CC facilities and/or other relevant department(s)
      • Event promotion and RSVP management
      • On-site troubleshooting and event coordination
  8. Project Team Information
    • Include brief bios for the program organizers and any key participants.
    • Identify a primary contact person for the project.

Evaluation Criteria*

Proposals will be evaluated by the President’s Advisory Council using the rubric below:

Conflict & Community Proposal Scoring Rubric
CATEGORY
(Weight)		 AMAZING
(Score: 5)		 GOOD
(Score: 3 to 4)		 ACCEPTABLE
(Score: 1 to 2)
Engagement & Solutions (40%) The proposed program is aligned with the purpose of the Conflict & Community series in that it has the potential to address all of the series' key elements: fostering dialogue, understanding, and connection, is solution-oriented, and prioritizes skill building. The proposed program is somewhat aligned with the purpose of the Conflict & Community series in that it addresses 3 to 4, but not all, key elements of the series' themes: fostering dialogue, understanding, and connection, is solution-oriented, and prioritizes skill building. The proposed program is weakly aligned with the purpose of the Conflict & Community series in that it addresses 1 to 2 key elements of the series' themes: fostering dialogue, understanding, and connection, is solution-oriented, and prioritizes skill building.
Interdisciplinarity (25%) The program design strongly highlights the critical role of interdisciplinary education in unpacking complex social issues. The program design somewhat highlights the critical role of interdisciplinary education in unpacking complex social issues. The program design minimally highlights the critical role of interdisciplinary education in unpacking complex social issues.
Community Building & Inclusivity (25%) The program clearly endeavors to achieve series goals: (1) enhance communication and understanding amongst communities and (2) share and celebrate diverse perspectives The program somewhat endeavors to achieve series goals: (1) enhance communication and understanding amongst communities and (2) share and celebrate diverse perspectives The program minimally endeavors to achieve series goals: (1) enhance communication and understanding amongst communities and (2) share and celebrate diverse perspectives
Event Logistics (10%) The proposal is clear and feasible in terms of event timeline and budget outline. The proposal is somewhat clear and feasible in terms of event timeline and budget outline. The proposal is minimally clear and feasible in terms of event timeline and budget outline.

*Selected proposals will be highlighted on the Conflict & Community webpage

Post-Program Report

A post-program report is due within two weeks of the program’s/event’s completion. The report will ask for:

  • Event highlights (reflection on lessons learned, how the event achieved the objectives of the Conflict & Community series etc.)
  • Estimated Attendance
  • Event photos and/or participant feedback speaking to the impact of the program

Submission Instructions

Contact Information

For questions or additional information, please contact Samilja Heim at chiefofstaff@coloradocollege.edu or (719) 389-6692

Report an issue - Last updated: 11/18/2024