The Office of Public Policy Events seeks to cultivate active citizenship and serve as a steward of education and civic engagement by bringing the campus and community together for open dialogue on pressing public policy issues.
Through forums and debates, we provide opportunities to explore diverse and opposing perspectives, fostering civil discourse and promoting mutual understanding.
By endorsing principles of civility and encouraging the exchange of new ideas, we aim to strengthen democracy and enhance the quality of life for all in our community.
All events are free and open to faculty, staff, students, and the public.
The Office of Public Policy Events is housed in the Office of the President and in alignment with FGCU’s Statement of Free Expression.
Please direct all questions to Justin Fitzgerald at jfitzgerald@fgcu.edu.
Affordable Housing: Exploring Goals and Perspectives (a panel discussion)
- Tuesday, October 28, 2025
- Academic Building 9 Auditorium, Room 106
- 5:30pm: Check-In and Reception
- 6:00pm-7:30pm: Panel Discussion
Documentary Screening & SWFL Resiliency Panel
- Thursday, November 13, 2025
- 5:00pm: Reception
- 5:30pm: Screening of Documentary "Rising: Surviving the Surge"
- 6:30pm: Panel Discussion
- Academic Building 9 Atrium & Auditorium, Room 106
Substance Abuse: Criminal Justice or Public Health Issue? An Interactive Discussion
- Thursday, April 3, 2025
- Event: 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
- Cohen Student Union, Room 201
FGCU Student Government Candidates’ Forum
- Monday, February 24, 2025
- Doors Open: 6:30 p.m.
- Event: 7:00 p.m.
- Cohen Student Union, Room 201
Post-Election Panel: How to Navigate Conversations About Politics
- Wednesday, November 20, 2024
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Doors Open: 5 p.m.
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Event: 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
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AB9, Room 106
Let's Agree to Disagree | 2nd Annual Reaffirmation to Civil Discourse
- Friday, September 20, 2024
- Doors Open: 3:30 p.m.
- Event: 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
- Edwards Hall, Room 112
- Wednesday, April 3, 2024
- Reception: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
- Main program: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- Cohen Student Union Ballroom, Room 201
Student Debate: Is Social Media Censorship Protecting or Limiting College Students?
- Wednesday, February 7, 2024
- 6:00pm - 7:30pm
- Edwards Hall 112
Affirmative Action in University Admissions and the Cost of Higher Education
- Monday, October 16, 2023
- 2:00pm - 3:30pm
- Cohen Student Union Ballroom
- Wednesday, September 6, 2023
- 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Cohen Student Union Ballroom
Primary Contact:
- Justin Fitzgerald, Director, jfitzgerald@fgcu.edu
Support Staff:
- Shannon Coelho, Event Coordination, scoelho@fgcu.edu
- Julie Eacho, Event Coordination, jeacho@fgcu.edu
- Jennifer Goen, Governmental Liason, jgoen@fgcu.edu
- Steve Rokusek, University Library, srokusek@fgcu.edu
- Rayna Smith, Event Coordination, raysmith@fgcu.edu
- Florida A&M University
- Florida Atlantic University
- Florida International University
- Florida Polytechnic University
- Florida State University Office of Public Policy Events
- New College of Florida
- University of Central Florida
- University of Florida
- University of North Florida
- University of South Florida
- University of West Florida
