SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The National Conflict Resolution Center, a San Diego-based nonprofit, today announced a $125,000 donation from the Burnham Foundation to expand a program that promotes civil discourse and respect for opposing views at college campuses.
The Galinson Campus Civility Project, named in honor of NCRC advocates Murray and Elaine Galinson, has since its 2011 launch provided communications and inclusion training to tens of thousands of student leaders at San Diego State University, UC San Diego, Cal State San Marcos, the San Diego Community College District and Arizona State University.
"Our support of the Galinson Project is an investment in the future of our diverse and global society," said philanthropist Malin Burnham, a longtime adviser to the NCRC Board of Directors. "This program is preparing today's students to be enlightened and effective leaders, and it is teaching them the importance of community before self."
During the 2015-16 academic year, more than 4,600 students at the four California campuses completed the training, and 8,500 more have contracted for the training in future years.
ASU, the newest campus to adopt the project, anticipates that 11,500 students will sign up for training in the 2017 fall semester.
"We appreciate this generous gift from the Burnham Foundation, and we are deeply grateful to Malin for his wise counsel over the years," said NCRC President Steven Dinkin.
"NCRC is ready to scale up this singular initiative, and in an era of growing polarization, we believe that broadening its impact is a matter of urgency," Dinkin said. "Ultimately, our strategic objective is to expand the
reach of the Campus Civility Project from a regional to a national initiative."
Student-led civility initiatives have been launched at all five campuses, and the Galinson Project was lauded by University of California President Janet Napolitano in a 2015 speech, according to the center.
