The SU Civil Discourse Festival is designed to develop a campus culture that promotes and encourages civic engagement.

This event welcomes the Southwestern community, as well as the Georgetown community, in an effort to cultivate a passion for participation in local, state and federal politics through respectful dialogue and active participation in the ‘market of ideas’. We firmly believe that this bi-partisan program will foster productive political dialogue on college campuses by welcoming students of all backgrounds, ages, beliefs and political leanings to embrace their civic duty and participate in the market of ideas for the betterment of society as a whole. This Festival hopes to include students from as many organizations and majors as possible. There is no fee to enter- all you will need is a willingness to participate respectively and an open mind. 

Polling. GO VOTE!
7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Howry Center
Don’t Forget to bring your ID.

Pledge to Practice Civil Discourse
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Academic Mall
Sign banner to pledge to have civil conversations and participate in civic engagement.

Nadine Strossen Lecture: “Hate: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship”
4:00 p.m.
McCombs Ballrooms
Strossen serves as the John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law, Emerita at New York Law School. She is an author, professor, and advocate for constitutional law and civil liberties. Previously serving as the President of the American Civil Liberties Union, she was the first woman to head the nation’s largest and oldest civil liberties organization. After stepping down as ACLU President in 2008, three Supreme Court Justices participated in her farewell and tribute luncheon.

Civil Discourse Festival
5:30 p.m.
Academic Mall
Join us to learn more about civil discourse through fun activities! You can participate on civil discourse group activities with a variety of student organizations, register to vote with MOVE TEXAS, or learn how to be engaged politically with Careers in Politics. 

FREE shirts to the first 100 people! 

Election Watch Party
7:00 p.m.
Bishops Lounge
Come watch the results of Super Tuesday and enjoy some popcorn!

Super Tuesday is one of the most significant days of the presidential primary race, as 14 states will cast their ballots. In addition to watching nationwide results, we will also be viewing local & state-level election results.