Table’s Set for On the Table at UK

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 23, 2018) — On Wednesday, March 28, the University of Kentucky will be gathering in solidarity with the rest of Lexington for the second annual On the Table community-wide dialogue. The event will provide an opportunity to have real discussions about what is important to the Lexington community.  

Last year, some 11,000 Lexingtonians participated in an On the Table conversation about the city — what's good about it and how to make it even better. More than 1,000 conversations happened all over Lexington, including at the University of Kentucky. The feedback received from these conversations helped inform the City of Lexington’s Comprehensive Plan, Imagine Lexington, as well as the Bluegrass Community Foundation’s grant-making priorities.

On the Table is a one-day community-wide dialogue that takes place around small tables across Lexington. The initiative is sponsored by the Blue Grass Community Foundation (BGCF) in partnership with Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, UK and community organizations throughout our city, and is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. On the Table will also take place in nine other cities in 2018, including Akron, Ohio; Charlotte, North Carolina; Gary, Indiana; Macon, Georgia; Miami, Florida; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Palm Beach, Florida; Columbus, Georgia; and San Jose, California.

“On the Table is a surging effort to reinvent public dialogue,” according to Lilly Weinberg, Knight Foundation director for community foundations. “Participants work to build connections and consensus, identify solutions to local challenges, and use these results to influence decision-makers.”

“We believe now more than ever, that your voice matters,” Blue Grass Community Foundation President Lisa Adkins said.

UK invites you to be part of the conversation, to host a table, or just participate in one sometime during the day. The university would like to see conversations across campus among students, faculty and staff — in classrooms, department conference rooms, residence halls, and Greek and student organizations.

UK will have a specific question that explores how as a campus UK can better engage with the community, and looks forward to seeing the results!

Below are some of the tables where you can participate:

• 9-10 a.m., at The 90 (Room 202);
• 9-10 a.m., at Scovell Hall (Room 220, Suite 2);
• 10-11a.m., at The 90 (Room 202);
• 11 a.m.-noon, at The 90 (Room 202);
• noon-1 p.m. at The 90 (Room 202);
• 1-2 p.m., at Main Building (LexMark Room);
• 2-3 p.m., at Main Building (LexMark Room);
• 3-4 p.m., at Main Building (LexMark Room);
• 3-4 p.m., at Scovell Hall (Room 220, Suite 2); and
• 4-5 p.m., at Main Building (LexMark Room).

To register as a table host or as a participant, please go to: http://ServeLearnConnect.uky.edu/OnTheTable or contact Todd Stoltzfus at Todd.Stoltzfus@uky.edu.