From the ALS ice bucket challenge to the events surrounding Selma, Alabama, the ISIS threat and the legalization of gay marriage, hardly any topics are off limits at University Programs’ Hot Topics seminars.

Originating two years ago, the Hot Topics seminar series is designed to provide a comfortable environment for students to join in productive 
discussion over controversial topics.

“The whole point of Hot Topics is to give students a safe environment to talk about things that might be a little more difficult,” said Michelle Fowler, a graduate student studying advertising and public relations and the 
program manager.

Formatted to be open and inclusive, the seminar has a ring of seats around two facilitators who present opposite sides of the month’s specific topic. The facilitators are generally UA faculty members with research backgrounds on the topic. After a 30-minute introduction to the issue, students are led through discussion by the facilitators for another hour.

“Students are very vocal about their opinions and thoughts,” said Latoya Scott, director of University Programs. “The mediators do a wonderful job directing the conversation. I’ve never seen any disrespect at any of 
the seminars.”

Hot Topics seminars are usually held in 302 Ferguson Center, the Anderson Society Room.