UAlbany’s Great Dane Dialogue Returns for Historic Class of 2030

Photo by Patrick Dodson

ALBANY, N.Y. (Sept. 14, 2026) — For the past three years, students at the University at Albany have participated in the Great Dane Dialogue, a campus-wide initiative that promotes civil discourse, strengthens civic engagement and helps students develop skills to navigate disagreements with empathy, respect and purpose. The initiative returns this week coinciding with Constitution Day on Sept. 17.

This year’s Great Dane Dialogue will reach more than 3,500 first-year students, part of the largest incoming class in University history. Students will take part in workshops and panel discussions featuring conversations with community leaders. The events are designed to offer students the opportunity to learn about perspectives that are different from their own and deepen their understanding of the world around them.

“Our goal at UAlbany is to prepare our students not only for their careers, but to engage thoughtfully with people from all walks of life. The Great Dane Dialogue puts that commitment into practice by giving our students the space to listen with respect and take part in conversations that strengthen our campus community," said Michael Christakis, vice president for student affairs & enrollment.

The program includes the annual Marathon Reading of the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence on Thursday. University Libraries will also host a Banned Books Read-Out on Tuesday, which brings the UAlbany community together to read aloud from books that have been targeted for removal from schools and libraries.

Other program highlights include:

A Conversation with former New York State Sen. Neil Breslin at 3 p.m. today
A Conversation with Bria Nickerson, executive director of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, at 4:30 p.m. today
A Conversation and Q&A with poet Joshua Bennett, author of We (The People of the United States) on Sept. 29
A discussion with the International Center of the Capital Region exploring American diplomacy on Oct. 6.

UAlbany's social media accounts will also feature videos with students to learn more about their thoughts about what it means to be part of an open and welcoming campus community.

More information about the schedule of confirmed programs, classes and events is available on the University's website.

Panel discussions were planned in collaboration with the Office of Government and Community Relations, Office of Inclusive Excellence and the Office of Communications and Marketing.