Education in Crisis: How to Manage Back-to-School Challenges During Political Unrest

By Hiba Fatima

As we prepare for the new school year, it’s crucial to be aware of the potential challenges and tensions that may impact our campus environment. This piece aims to provide an overview of the current political and social climate, particularly the ongoing Palestine/Israel conflict and its effect on campus life, as well as the implications of the upcoming presidential election. Understanding these issues is essential for students who wish to navigate a potentially charged atmosphere with awareness and empathy. 

Given that nearly a year has passed since the escalation of the Palestine/Israel conflict and with the presidential election approaching, students may encounter heightened tension and challenges upon returning to campus. This piece will discuss how these factors could influence campus dynamics, from increased instances of anti-Arab sentiment, Islamophobia, and anti-semitism to the impact of new university policies and security measures. By staying informed and engaging with these issues, students can better manage their campus experience and contribute to a more inclusive environment. 

Universities across the nation have faced scrutiny over their responses to campus protests, with notable incidents at institutions such as UCLA, USC, and Columbia University involving police actions and administrative decisions. These situations have raised concerns about balancing campus order with students’ rights to protest. With the presidential election in November, campuses may experience heightened tensions and political unrest similar to previous years.

Recent legislative changes and heightened scrutiny of campus responses to political and social issues have led many universities to adopt stricter policies. These new regulations often aim to balance campus safety with the rights of students to protest and express their views, but they can also lead to increased restrictions on student activities and freedoms.

For instance, new laws and regulations have compelled universities to implement more rigorous security measures and stricter codes of conduct. While these measures are intended to ensure safety and order, they sometimes result in tensions between maintaining campus security and respecting students' rights to free expression. This has led to a contentious atmosphere where administrative decisions are closely examined and often criticized.

In response to the increased pressure and controversies surrounding campus policies, some university leaders have resigned or faced significant criticism. Presidents and deans at institutions like Columbia, and others have stepped down or been forced to navigate intense scrutiny over their handling of campus protests and security measures. These resignations reflect the complex and often polarized nature of addressing political and social issues within academic environments.

As this has become a nationwide issue on campuses, the upcoming presidential election is also a critical factor that could further influence campus dynamics. By integrating diverse perspectives into your conversations, you can help de-escalate tensions and foster a more understanding and inclusive environment during this election period. 

Here are some ways to navigate through a tense environment ---

Staying Informed

Keep up with current news and updates from a variety of credible sources to stay informed and expose yourself to different viewpoints. This approach enables you to engage in conversations more accurately and thoughtfully, rather than relying on narrow or biased sources. Avoiding single-source news or social media echo chambers can help broaden your perspective.

Support

Seek out support that aligns with your specific needs. Connect with others who are experiencing similar difficulties and utilize university resources to find a safe space to discuss current events. Information about available resources on some campuses is included here.

Dialogue

Engage in conversations that foster empathy and understanding. Navigating a tense campus environment involves finding common ground and appreciating different perspectives, not just managing disagreements.

Lawrence Sung, a senior at USC, reflects on campus security, noting, “It feels like a fortress closing itself down to the community.” This sentiment highlights the challenge of balancing safety with openness, as increased security measures can make students feel more isolated.

Benjamin Kersten, a UCLA doctoral student, expresses concern about the application of safety measures: “The idea of Jewish safety is being used to justify greater police presence, which exposes me and many of my peers to both violence and risks to public health.” Kersten underscores the difficulty of ensuring safety policies do not disproportionately affect certain groups and contribute to heightened tensions.

Yoav Gillath, a senior at USC, emphasizes the need for fairness in new rules: “I hope USC will ensure that any new rules are applied predictably, fairly, and equitably to everyone, regardless of their stance on the issue.” His perspective reflects the importance of transparency and equitable treatment in campus policies.

Professor Chawkins from UCLA provides valuable advice on productive dialogue:

“Often people start with a conclusion and either ask questions to justify those conclusions or make statements that push others away. As difficult as it may be, it’s important to ask questions to understand the issues and the other person’s perspective. Discover how someone arrived at a different conclusion and what led them to that space. Finally, question yourself—What problem are you trying to solve? What are the alternatives? Speaking up is crucial, but if not combined with constructive action towards progress, it is as ineffective as clapping with one hand.”

Doing More

If you feel passionate and are comfortable, and if you disagree with certain school regulations or measures, use your student rights to advocate for a more equitable campus. Collaborating with like-minded individuals can provide leaders and administrations with a stronger case for considering serious changes.