As educational institutes closed for summer, a reflective moment dawned on students across the nation. Colleges and universities went through tumultuous times this year, having incurred more trials than any other year since the Vietnam War protests of the late 1960s.
New Challenges On and Off Campus
A conservative Supreme Court has drastically altered race-based admission practices. New laws are in the spotlight, focusing on choice and reproductive health. Student activism surrounding the Israel/Hamas conflict has escalated. These issues have challenged higher education communities in unimaginable ways, turning campuses into grounds for larger global struggles.
Student Outrage and Resistance
Across the nation, students protested against the horrors in Gaza. Some colleges, in response, enlisted the help of police to erase encampments, creating flashpoints rather than resolutions. Far from extinguishing rage, this action intensified it. Aggrieved students returned, taking over buildings and widening the community divide.
Responding Without Police Intervention
Vassar College, a small liberal arts institution, opted not to employ police forces. Elizabeth Bradley, Vassar’s president, disclosed that the college chose to engage with students directly. The aim was to minimize safety concerns related to counter protests, and increase understanding of the grievances and desires of all parties.
Understanding Through Dialogue
The power of discourse shaped this approach. As the core of a liberal arts education, evidence-based persuasion was used to pursue a greater understanding of the Gaza conflict. The ability to empathize and feel helpless through dialogue allowed them to find common ground.
Emergent Themes
Hours of discussions brought to light core themes. Students set up encampments because they were passionate about raising awareness and taking action against Palestinian suffering. These students yearned to force conversations around ways to help. Simultaneously, those who felt unsafe around the encampment expressed their grief and support for innocent victims of violence and their personal support for Israel as a homeland for Jews.
Supporting Peaceful Protest and Dissent
The college was committed to upholding peaceful protest, a vital element of democracy and social progress. They also wanted to avoid dividing college stakeholders under the pressure of external forces seeking to quash dissent.
Persistence amid Messiness
Despite the complexities and uncertainties of a fluid situation, Vasser remained steadfast. The college strove to open opportunities for students to comprehend Palestinian and Israeli experiences. They encouraged proactive measures to support Gazan college students, and accepted a proposal to divest from military investments.
Healing Through Open Dialogue
Open dialogue paved the way towards reconciliation. The establishment of a working group converged on restorative practices that could heal the semester’s wounds. The college is also considering curricular innovation in peace, conflict, and Middle East studies.
Countering External Forces
External forces sought to divide the Vassar community by curbing freedom of thought and pressuring community members to take absolute sides. However, the college remained committed to fostering an environment conducive to the exchange of all ideas – a fundamental principle of a pluralistic society, crucial to democracy, knowledge creation, and striving towards a fairer world.
Despite facing challenges that were difficult and fraught, Vassar College remained resilient. The importance of creating open spaces for dialogue and understanding stands testament to their commitment towards fostering a more inclusive and aware community.