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Research shows two things reduce hostility between partisans: correcting misperceptions about the other side, and emphasizing a shared identity. Here is what that looks like as a practical guide for conversations on campus.
Disagreeing with someone's policy view is not the same as saying they are a bad person. Before responding to an argument, ask yourself whether you are actually engaging with what was said, or reacting to who you assume said it.
Comparing an opposing party or politician to Nazis, fascists, or other historical atrocities does two things: it disrespects historical horrors, and it shuts down the conversation instead of continuing it. If a comparison is being used to avoid engaging with an actual argument, that's an indication that you need to slow down.
Misperceptions about what "the other side" actually believes are a major cause of animosity. Instead of assuming that you already know why someone holds a view, ask them directly and respectfully listen to their full response without interrupting.
Research finds that emphasizing a shared identity (i.e. classmate, neighbor, American) lowers hostility between partisans. Political disagreement can coexist with a shared sense of belonging to the same community, campus, or country.
A functioning democracy does not require agreement. It requires that people can hold fundamentally different views on complex issues while still respecting each other's dignity and right to hold those views.