The word deliberation brings to mind images of togas and temples and the fledgling democracy that, despite its many flaws, eventually served as a guiding light for all the Western societies that followed. Add to those the image of approximately 250 UHD students, staff, alumni, and faculty seated at round tables, discussing policy ideas with local and national political candidates over lunch in the Academic Building, as they all convened on campus on Oct. 21 to discuss this year’s topic, presented by the Center for Public Deliberation (CPD): “How Should We Prepare for Community Floods?” 

Each table’s conversation was moderated by a student facilitator and discussed three possible approaches toward the challenges posed to all Houstonians by flooding and natural disaster. The three approaches were developed by a bi-partisan committee and based on extensive research and community input via surveys. These approaches included*:  

  • Prioritize public safety: Floods make people unsafe. Floods can destroy shelters and make the roads and the environment itself dangerous. Access to water, food and supplies is also restricted during floods. People should be given information and resources to prepare themselves for flooding. However, focusing solely on public safety misses the long-term impacts of flooding. 
  • Focus on recovery from floods: Floods leave major environmental and economic damage in their wake, limiting people's prospects. Therefore, we should invest in helping people recover from floods, for example, through homeowner assistance programs and federal grants. However, these investments would be expensive and do nothing to prevent future flooding issues. 
  • Invest in sustainable infrastructure: Floods cannot be completely prevented, but poor city infrastructure can make flooding worse. Therefore, we should focus on long-term infrastructure investments to mitigate flooding dangers and damage. However, these investments would be expensive and could come at the cost of other budget needs. 

John Rountree, Assistant Professor of Arts and Communication, said that "we need to talk through all sides of an issue and provide reasons for [our] arguments. Deliberation and taking on another person's perspective are vital if we want our political system to function properly.” 

The discussion of each topic was timed, and the local candidates (there were many in attendance, including candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, City Council, and the Houston ISD school board) moved tables at intervals so as to interact with as many attendees as possible.  

Post-event questionnaires distributed are already returning positive reports, as the following will show:

  • 89% reported their understanding of others’ attitudes and beliefs on the issues INCREASED.
  • 85% reported their ability to communicate effectively with people who have different beliefs on the issue INCREASED.
  • 94% reported they understand more about flooding issues.
  • 91% see the issue of social media as MORE COMPLEX than before participating.
  • 94% feel BETTER INFORMED to discuss flooding with others.

Unsurprisingly, events such as this are invaluable contributions on the part of the CPD and student volunteers, as they create spaces for students and community members to share their concerns, learn from others, and contribute to finding solutions to complex issues.  

 

*These are condensed versions of the approaches. You can view the in-depth explanation of each here.  

Click here to take a 5-7 minute survey from the Harris County Flood Control District to provide your valuable input.

Below is a list of candidates, the planning team for the event, faculty and staff contributors, as well as student volunteers, all of whom contributed greatly to the event's success.

  • Mariz Benzon for Houston ISD School Board Trustee, District V
  • Vince Duncan for U.S. House of Reps, TX District 18
  • Amanda Edwards for U.S. House of Reps, TX District 18
  • George E. Foreman IV for U.S. House of Reps, TX District 18
  • Raquel Hernandez Bourjourne for Harris County commissioner Precinct 2
  • Stephen Huey for U.S. House of Reps, TX District 18
  • Sen. Joan Huffman for Texas Attorney General
  • Marvalette Hunter for U.S. House of Reps, TX District 38
  • At Large 1 Council Member Julian Ramirez
  • Melissa McDonough for U.S. House of Reps, TX District 38
  • Carmen Maria Montiel for U.S. House of Reps, TX District 18
  • Audrey Nath for HISD School board district 7
  • Cyrus Sajna for US House of Reps, TX District 18

Our sincerest thanks to our community partners planning team:

  • John Rountree, Ph. D., Associate Professor & CPD Assistant Director
  • Albert DeJesus, Ph. D., Director of Center for Latino Studies & Senior Lecturer of Spanish
  • Vivian Smith, Director of Empowered Youth
  • Bryan Escobedo, Executive Director
  • Mary Grace Landrum, 50 Most Influential Women of Houston
  • John Linatud, Ph. D., Professor of Social Sciences
  • Liza Lane, Ph. D., Associate Professor of Social Work
  • Cameron Mayfield, Texas Rising Campus Organizer
  • Natacha Poggio, Associate Professor of Design
  • Anthony Ramirez, Ph.D., Assistant Professor & Assistant Director for Center for Latino Studies
  • Marco Roberts, Chair of Texas Conservative Liberty Forum

Thank you to the faculty, staff, and administrators who helped to make this event such an incredible success:

  • Dr. Wendy Burns-Ardolino, Dean of College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Dr. Liza Alonzo, Assistant Vice President, Presidential Affairs and Constituent Relations
  • Dr. Ashley Archiopoli, Associate Professor of Communication Studies
  • Dr. Darius Benton, Associate Professor of Communication Studies & Chair of Arts & Communication Department
  • Dr. Paul Fortunato, Associate Professor of English
  • Mike Guajardo, Communication Studies Graduate Student & Talent Management and Development Specialist
  • Dr. Natalya Matveeva, Professor of Communication Studies
  • Dr. Anthony Ramirez, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies
  • Dr. Azar Rejaie, Professor of Art History
  • Vivian Smith, Program Coordinator, UHD Social Work Program
  • Dr. Akif Uzman, Dean of College of Sciences and Technology
  • Alicia Holder, A&C Department Business Administrator
  • Dr. Lisa Morano, Professor of Sciences and Technology
  • Dr. Jonathan Schwartz, Associate Vice President of Advancement
  • Dr. Gene Preuss, Professor of History
  • Susan Osterberg, Lecturer of Communication Studies
  • Candice Shivers, Lecturer of Communication Studies
  • Dr. Anthony Foster, Assistant Professor or Psychology
  • Dr. Theresa Case, Professor of History, Humanities & Languages
  • Dr. Poonam Gulati, Director of Community Engagement & Service Learning
  • Zeenat Mitha, Lecturer of Communication Studies
  • Burton French, Lecturer of Communication Studies
  • Candace Shivers, Lecturer of Communication Studies

Student CPD leaders: Airrinesha Shelton, Wesley Holt, Kalyn Jackson, Carly Vasquez, Lexi Whitaker, Shanedra Smith, Zoe Amoruso, Fili Pena, Damien Maxey, Jessica Soliz, Kai Walden, Andre Garland, Lindsey Mattenson, Andrea Cortina, Philipa Frimpong, Yesenia Serrano, Ayana Oates

Empowered Youth Volunteers: Carmen Burras, Caroline Elizalde, Iden Le, Lekeisha Rabsatt, Carlos Zepeda

CPD Alumni: Corey Heckman, Lilian Care, Mike Guajardo, Corey Heckman, Heather Hinzie