As the implications of the U.S.A. electing Donald Trump as its next President continue to be explored, some higher education leaders predict rough water ahead as widely accepted core values are challenged. In a speech delivered on campus Columbia's President Lee Bollinger said that, "The denial of climate change, the rejection of the fact of evolution, the attack on free speech, the dissemination of falsehoods deliberately and intentionally that would make George Orwell seem naive and unimaginative, the attack on groups that we celebrate at Columbia and embrace as part of our greatness - these are not political issues. This is where we stand. This is a challenge to what we stand for."
Harvard professor and former President Lawrence Summers who criticized previous diversity efforts on campus now sees the campaign labeling of certain issues as "politically correct" as a way to marginalize their importance. Citing the rise in hate incidents in schools and at universities after the November 8, 2016, election, Summers said "In the face of all this, the president-elect and his staff condemn those who march in protest over his election but as of yet have not forcefully condemned those overt acts of racism, sexism and bigotry the election has stimulated. They have allowed, without adequate response and rejection, the celebration of victory to metastasize into something dark and evil. It is surely wrong to hold the president-elect personally responsible for all the words and deeds of all who support him. Equally, the president-elect has a moral obligation to stand up for tolerance and against intolerance whatever its source."
Student activism appears to be on the rise in higher education around the world and may only be starting to unfold in the U.S.A. Student affairs educators in all countries must look carefully at the role they will play, examine what their institutions expect, and gaze into the future to see what is in the best interest of universities in the longer term. Lack of forethought, silence and complacency may be very costly.
Harvard professor and former President Lawrence Summers who criticized previous diversity efforts on campus now sees the campaign labeling of certain issues as "politically correct" as a way to marginalize their importance. Citing the rise in hate incidents in schools and at universities after the November 8, 2016, election, Summers said "In the face of all this, the president-elect and his staff condemn those who march in protest over his election but as of yet have not forcefully condemned those overt acts of racism, sexism and bigotry the election has stimulated. They have allowed, without adequate response and rejection, the celebration of victory to metastasize into something dark and evil. It is surely wrong to hold the president-elect personally responsible for all the words and deeds of all who support him. Equally, the president-elect has a moral obligation to stand up for tolerance and against intolerance whatever its source."
Student activism appears to be on the rise in higher education around the world and may only be starting to unfold in the U.S.A. Student affairs educators in all countries must look carefully at the role they will play, examine what their institutions expect, and gaze into the future to see what is in the best interest of universities in the longer term. Lack of forethought, silence and complacency may be very costly.
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