Watch List: Common Ground

The student-led retreat program Common Ground facilitates discussions of core aspects that forge students’ identities.

Common Ground is a biannual program sponsored by the Center for Race Relations that is dedicated to fostering student interaction and examination of intrapersonal issues. Moreover, Common Ground provides a safe environment for participants to initiate and engage in sensitive discussions that are often lacking on campus, said junior Reem Alfahad, assistant director for the Fall retreat.

Common Ground “completely changed my Duke trajectory," said Jeremy Fox. Fox the only first-year student who attended the Fall retreat.

Fox noted that he didn't know what Common Ground was when he applied, but wanted to take advantage of the opportunities at Duke.

“Common Ground makes you painfully aware of some of the more serious problems on campus,” Fox said. “It shattered the dreamy ‘college is so wonderfully perfect’ freshman experience. I believe that I am more passionate about issues on campus due to Common Ground, and I hope that I will become more involved with fixing these issues as I progress through my Duke career.”

The upcoming trip for Spring 2014 will be held Feb. 27 to March 2. Common Ground Director Mariel Charles said the retreat reflects the way Duke students are engaging in dialogue and exploring human relations.

"Common Ground is more than a weekend retreat," Charles said. "Duke students are encouraged to evaluate how their past experiences have allowed for the opportunities they are being presented with today, and to examine how these circumstances reflect a system of privilege so pervasive in the modern day society."