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Campus Events & Programs

The Dundon-Berchtold Institute intentionally offers a variety of events designed to engage participants in the moral moments of life. Attendees at DBI events are invited to build their ethical muscles and encounter the stories of others as we all explore the mosaic of ethical fibers that make up our personal, professional, social, political, and economic lives.
  • Ethics Week

    DBI's Ethics Week offers a variety of on- and off-campus events, conversations, and resources all focused on a central theme of significant relevance to the needs and questions of our community. Signature Ethics Week events include guest speakers, Ethics in the Community storytelling experiences, and Ethics & Film events.

  • Staff Formation Sessions

    Offered 2–4 times a year, these 45-minute sessions function as informal “coffee breaks” for UP employees, blending personal development with connection. Through small-group discussions and brief exercises, participants explore values and virtues from different perspectives in a relaxed, supportive setting.

    There’s no preparation required, and participation is completely optional. Interested employees can contact DBI Director Dan McGinty at mcgintyd@up.edu

  • Ethics in the Community

    at_ethics_in_the_community_20200214_27.jpgModeled after a program at the U.S. Air Force Academy, “Ethics in the Community” events bring in Portland-area guests to share real-life ethical dilemmas from their personal and professional experiences.

    Each session features interactive discussions between storytellers and attendees, exploring how decisions were made before revealing how the dilemmas were ultimately resolved. Multiple stories are shared at every event, highlighting the diverse and complex ethical challenges people face in everyday life.

  • Guest Speakers

    The Dundon-Berchtold Institute also hosts guest speakers who share reflections on the ethical challenges they face in their work and lives. Events may include panel discussions, activist talks, or conversations with authors, all exploring how decisions shape both personal experiences and the broader world.

  • Ethics & Film

    From family films to documentaries and dramas, movies and TV shows provide rich case studies in ethical decision making. At these DBI hosted events, attendees watch a film and engage in guided discussions about the ethical questions raised by its plot, characters, and situations. Some screenings pause partway through, prompting participants to wrestle with dilemmas in real time without knowing how the story will unfold.

     

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