In collaboration with the Alluvial Collective, the Associated Student Body hosted an informal senate summit to foster cooperative dialogue on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
Formerly known as the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, the Alluvial Collective is an independent nonprofit organization that creates spaces for youth leadership development.
Junior Yasmine Ware, a multidisciplinary studies major, had previous experience working with the Alluvial Collective through the Summer Youth Institute, a curated learning experience for Mississippi high schoolers, and partnered with founding executive director Susan M. Glisson to bring the more open, diverse and facilitated conversations to the UM campus.
ASB Vice President Jack Jones, a junior economics major, spoke about when Ware introduced the idea to him.
“There’s obviously going to be a lot of different opinions, so having a guide on how we have tough conversations and get to know each other on a better level is incredibly vital,” Jones said. “Providing a space where senators get to know each other on a more personal level, I think, is incredibly important for fostering good relations with everyone.”
Ware believes the introduction of the Alluvial Collective was necessary to cultivate a better relationship among senators.
“Something that I felt was missing was an opportunity to speak with senators, not just about legislation, but to really get to know who we all are,” Ware said. “It’s really easy to get divisive because of differences, but at the end of the day, we share that role as student leaders. If we’re able to sit down, get to know each other and chat a little bit, it’s easier to move forward.”
The meeting started with discussing a series of guideposts used to cultivate community engagement.
The first group activity, “Gifts on the Table,” paired senators to hold peaceful conversations about their definitions of community and the gifts they want to bring to the world as leaders.
Sophomore Luke Habeeb, a biomedical engineering major, believes community is about supporting other people’s passions.
“We’re all here to get an education and get a good job, but I think it’s more important to do things that you’re passionate about,” Habeeb said. “I’m grateful for the learning experience that I’ve had in realizing that it’s not good to just apply for something for the resume.”
In the “Story Circle” activity, groups of four senators shared their hopes for ASB, their personal fears and what it looks like to achieve a good campus culture beyond policymaking.
Habeeb said the meeting helped senators understand each other better.
“You get to have meaningful conversations that reach deep places that normal conversations don’t,” Habeeb said. “And I think that’s really important for everyday life, and it’s something that I want to incorporate more into mine.”
Tres Jones, a senior public policy leadership major, echoed those sentiments.
“This meeting was (about) being more open and trying to build a culture on campus that’s not just sports,” Jones said. “I enjoyed this, and hopefully we can do something new every informal senate just to keep us updated and engaged.”
Ware praised the senators for fostering a healthy dialogue and building personal connections.
“I’m really proud of the senators tonight for having the courage to be vulnerable, share stories about themselves, and hopefully that can spread across campus,” Ware said.
Ware also spoke about finalizing a committee called the OneUM committee, featuring a group of students who will be trained to facilitate conversations across campus.
“That will look like going to (registered student organizations), to sorority or fraternity houses, just wherever they’re needed,” Ware said. “We’re continuing work with the Alluvial Collective as well as other campus partners, and we’re happy to invite any other partnerships.”
