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PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Beacon Think Tank is to inspire and promote an institutional climate for critical thinking and learning and of civility, democracy, leadership and good citizenship for our students at the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB) by utilizing a structured campus mechanism for effective dialogue.
This program supports the University's vision of "provid(ing) innovative and often interdisciplinary programs that can respond in a timely manner to societal issues and problems."
Sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs and the New England Resource Center for Higher Education (NERCHE).
ISSUES/THEMES:
Students participating in the exercises will also have ample opportunity to set the session agendas. The broadness of these issues and themes is meant to inspire openness of thought and creativity. The following constructs will guide all conversations: diversity, socioeconomic status, politics and leadership and values and morals. These constructs are in no manner meant to limit discourse but to provide a common basis for dialogue.
OUTCOMES:
The intended outcomes of the Beacon Think Tank are:
- to promote an ethos of learning that can be shared throughout the institution as a learning community;
- to support the University's urban mission by supporting diversity through greater opportunities for "voices" to be expressed;
- to build a sense of community among a diverse student body;
- to provide a safe environment where divergent issues and themes can be discussed from divergent perspectives;
- to provoke and inspire students to critically analyze contemporary social issues;
- to provide students with the skills and abilities to intelligibly enhance the discourse of contemporary social issues;
- to afford students the opportunity to define their roles as good citizens and leaders relative to the issues and themes;
- to engage students in an experience that models democratic ideals;
- to inspire collaboration between academic and student affairs at UMB