By Ella Brassinga 

Finding Common Ground 

On Thursday evenings inside Ten Hoor Hall at the University of Alabama, students fill a classroom debating everything from tax reforms to environmental policies. At times when political debates can quickly turn divisive, UA Common Ground, a student organization, is proving that disagreement does not always have to mean disrespect. 

UA Common Ground brings together students from across the political spectrum to have open and civil conversations about issues that often divide Americans. 

This organization was founded with the goal of encouraging civil debate to help students better understand differing perspectives.

 The group regularly hosts discussions where students explore topics that range from education policy and climate change to gun control and healthcare reform. 

“Our mission is to create a safe space where people can listen and understand, not just wait their turn to share their opinion,” said Jason Odom, president of UA common Ground. 

Odom said that the idea behind UA Common Ground was created from an observation that people were talking past each other instead of to each other. Political conversations on social media or in classrooms often become polarized and students may feel pressure to avoid political discussions altogether. 

“There wasn’t really a space on campus for students to have political conversations in a calm respectful way,” said Odom. “UA Common Ground is meant to be that safe space.”

UA Common Ground welcomes students from all political backgrounds, including those affiliated with groups like the UA College Democrats and College Republicans, as well as students who consider themselves politically independent. Every debate is structured to promote understanding of each side of the argument. 

Before each meeting, the group establishes that there is no interrupting, no personal attacks or judgement. Members are encouraged to share their views honestly while also considering how others might see the same issue in a different perspective. 

“It’s okay to disagree, that is kind of the point,” said Riley McArdle, executive director of UA Common Ground. “What matters is that everyone feels safe and respected while they are sharing.”

On non-formal debate days, McArdle said discussions begin with an open ended question such as “how does social media shape the way we see politics?” From there, students are invited to share their personal experiences and values rather than just talking about policies. 

“We try our best to focus on the human side of politics, where people can explain why they believe something and then you start to see where their personal values come from. That is when the real understanding happens,” said McArdle. 

One topic that is most popular is media bias, how the news we consume can reinforce political divisions. Students share which outlets they trust, how they can verify information and whether they feel the media promotes polarization. 

“People often realize that everyone, despite their political leaning, wants accurate information. That shared goal can lead to some constructive conversations,” said McArdle. 

Another popular topic is education policy, especially how government decisions affect public schools and universities. Students debate the role of federal funding, standardized testing and access to higher education. 

“There are issues that affect all of us, no matter what political party you align with,” said Odom. “When we focus on the shared impact it becomes easier to find common ground.”

Samantha Hoefs, communication director of UA Common Ground, helps the organization reach a wider audience and ensures its messaging remains unbiased. 

Hoefs said a key challenge is helping students feel comfortable enough to attend meetings, especially if they fear being judged for their opinions. 

“A lot of students are nervous about talking about politics because they have seen how ugly it can get, especially online,” said Hoefs. “We want to show that this is a space where you can speak and still be respected.”

To promote inclusivity, the organization is intentional in how it frames events and outreach to students. “We’re careful not to use language that sounds confrontational, we don’t say ‘come debate your peers’ we say something like ‘come share your perspective,’ these small changes make a big difference,” said Hoefs. 

UA Common Ground uses their social media, mostly their Instagram platform, to announce events and highlight positive moments from meetings. Photos of students listening and shaking hands often accompany the posts. These images help challenge the stereotype that political discussions are always hostile, said Hoefs. 

“We are not trying to make everyone agree, we just want people to see that productive disagreement is possible,” said Hoefs. 

In an era when many young people report feeling disheartened by politics, UA Common Grounds approach has resonated. Attendance at meetings has grown each semester and the organization has begun collaborating to expand its reach across campus. 

McArdle said that one of her favorite parts of her position is seeing friendships form between students who initially viewed each other as ideological opposites. She said that many people often walk into the meetings expecting conflict and walk out realizing that they have a lot more in common than they thought. 

Odom said that the organization has received a lot of positive feedback from faculty and staff who see its value in developing students' communication skills. 

“We are also helping students with speaking in a public setting about difficult topics, and this is something they can carry with them through their life after graduation and even in their professions,” said Odom. 

As the organization continues to grow, its members say that their ultimate goal is to ‘agree to disagree’ and engage in politics with empathy. This ideal has turned heated debate into meaningful dialogue and a divided campus into a community willing to listen.