![]() Usually, one person or one event sparks a conversation that carries on between students and teachers inside and outside the classroom. Very rarely does one speaker on campus or one student-led activity end the conversation surrounding a social issue. Creating these spaces, where colleagues can respectfully disagree and engage in spirited discussions, can spread to classroom discussions with students as well. Provosts can utilize this information when interacting with staff or addressing departmental concerns. ![]() Broaching topics can help administrators learn from their colleagues’ experiences and expand their own horizons. Students may not be the only ones who can benefit from engaging with social issues on campus.Ĭollege presidents and provosts can hold discussions with their colleagues about pressing issues. Instead, he argues, students need to learn how to address adversity and different perspectives, as they will likely encounter differing world views when they step into a new work or social environment after graduation. Van Jones, a political activist and commentator, noted that prohibiting discussions can backfire when it comes to opening students’ minds, as doing so limits their opportunity to develop the tools to have constructive conversations. Some institutions have even instituted a cabinet position to address social issues that have taken center stage on campus, including diversity in the student body.īut what happens when professors and administrators stop conversations from happening? However, that only happens when a discussion can occur - yet students may be reticent to listen to both sides of the conversation.Īdministrators like department chairs and deans of student affairs can facilitate discussions that can bring students together. They can bring together students from different economic, geographic, and racial backgrounds. Higher education institutions can open students’ minds and ask them to step outside their comfort zones. Administrators can take to social media to raise awareness of these occurrences and provide tips on how students can cope. While social media can exacerbate that problem, it may also be part of the solution. According to the American College Health Association, anxiety has become a top concern for students away at college. “What is unique about these issues is how social media has changed the way protests take place on college campuses,” he told the LA Times.ĭeans of student affairs can use social media to draw attention to issues like mental health or anxiety. Tyrone Howard, associate dean of equity, diversity, and inclusion at UCLA, provides some insight into the power of social media to change the way we approach social issues and activism. In this movement, a list of prominent schools came together to identify themselves as safe spaces for undocumented students. ![]() In 2017, the American Association of University Professors demonstrated an example of the power that higher education institutions and administrators have by joining the #sanctuarycampus movement. Administrators can also use these platforms to engage in discussions about social issues. Many administrators focus on utilizing this technology and platform to maximize the value of their students’ education. Most college students fall within that demographic, suggesting college students use social media frequently. How can administrators lead by example to show students how to be respectful and socially active community members? Here are the top things to know about getting involved with social issues on campus: Embrace the power of social mediaĪccording to the Pew Research Center, 88% of young adults 18-29 use some form of social media. ![]() However, there are challenges administrators face when handling social issues on campus: Protests can escalate and conversations can shut down. “There’s a renaissance of political activism going on, and it exists on every major campus,” Harold Levy, a former chancellor of New York City’s public schools, told The Atlantic.Īdministrators can offer opportunities for students to discuss current political events, helping to enrich their lives as community members and prepare them for the outside world. Students often become more active in social issues during their college careers. Colleges can bring people together from across the world that share the same concerns, which can translate into activism through change. Engaging with social issues is an integral part of higher education for students and administrators alike.
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