Events & Civil Discourse Policy

This Events & Civil Discourse Policy outlines the principles and operational standards guiding public programming at The Patman Center for Civic and Political Engagement. All Center-sponsored events are educational in purpose, nonpartisan or bipartisan in structure, and designed to strengthen democratic engagement through leadership development and civil discourse.

Commitment to Bipartisanship and Viewpoint Diversity

The Center is committed to creating a forum:

• Where policy meets perspective
• Where critical thinking and issue diversity come together
• Where civic leadership skills are modeled and taught
• Where respectful engagement across differences is expected

We intentionally invite speakers and participants from across the political and ideological spectrum. Our goal is not to promote a single viewpoint, but to foster a deeper understanding of complex public issues and to equip participants with the tools to engage constructively in democratic life.

Modeling Civic Leadership

Through its programming, the Center seeks to model the leadership qualities it teaches:

• Civility in disagreement
• Courage to engage opposing views
• Commitment to service over partisanship
• Willingness to collaborate across ideological divides

By presenting a range of perspectives and fostering thoughtful dialogue, The Center equips students and community members to think critically about politics and the moment we are in as a society.

Expectations for Event Participants

All attendees are expected to:

• Engage speakers and fellow participants respectfully.
• Refrain from personal attacks, harassment, or intimidation.
• Allow speakers to present their views without disruption.
• Use designated formats (e.g., moderated Q&A) for engagement.
• Comply with university policies and applicable law.

Speaker Invitations, Safety and Support

The Center welcomes a wide variety of speakers from across the partisan spectrum, including policymakers, practitioners, scholars, and civic leaders. Hosting a speaker does not constitute endorsement of that individual’s views by the Center, the LBJ School, or the University.

We are committed to ensuring that invited speakers:

• Feel welcomed and respected while on campus.
• Receive appropriate logistical and security support in coordination with university partners.
• Can present their ideas without disruption or intimidation, consistent with university policies and applicable law.

The Center works closely with relevant university offices to ensure the safety and security of all participants at Center-sponsored events.

Political Candidates and Polling Location Policy

The LBJ School of Public Affairs serves as a polling location during elections. In order to preserve institutional neutrality and comply with legal and ethical standards:

• The Center does not host candidates actively running for office at the LBJ School while it is serving as a polling location.
• When appropriate, candidate events may be scheduled:
  • At an alternative offsite venue, or
  • At a different date or time that does not coincide with polling activity.

This policy ensures that the Center maintains a nonpartisan environment and upholds the integrity of both the academic institution and the electoral process.

Continuous Improvement

The Center regularly reviews its events and policies to ensure alignment with its mission to strengthen democracy. Feedback from students, speakers, faculty, and community members is welcomed and incorporated into future programming.

The Patman Center for Civic and Political Engagement stands as a forum where bipartisan engagement is not merely discussed, but practiced. By cultivating spaces for civil discourse and leadership development, the Center prepares public leaders capable of navigating disagreement with integrity, skill, and a steadfast commitment to democratic principles and civic engagement.