How to navigate student protests in a polarized era

In addition to promoting open dialogue, university leaders should aim to strike a balance between protecting free speech and maintaining a safe, respectful environment for all students, according to the report, according to the Constructive Dialogue Institute.

As university campuses increasingly become hotspots for activism, a new report from the Constructive Dialogue Institute provides vital insights for higher education leaders.

“Navigating Campus Protests: University Leaders in the Era of Polarized Activism,” outlines five key strategies to help leaders manage unrest and maintain campus cohesion during periods of heightened tension. Drawing on quantitative data, research and 26 interviews with campus stakeholders, the report offers a practical framework for balancing student activism with the need to maintain a safe, welcoming campus environment.

It emphasizes the importance of navigating the conflicting demands of students, faculty, alumni and donors during moments of crisis. The report identifies five essential elements for effectively managing campus protests:

  • Real and institutional trust
  • Critical thinking and compassion
  • Clear, consistently enforced policies
  • Effective event response teams
  • Leading with compassion

Building trust between administrators and students is critical, the report reads. Administrators can foster this relationship by actively engaging with students through orientations, student group recruitment and one-on-one meetings with student leaders. It also requires building rapport with campus members through gradual and consistent engagement. “I don’t want the first time they meet me to be out of reaction,” one administrator said. “I want them to know that I’m a normal human and I’m trying to make the world a more equitable place, too.”

Trust on an institutional level is developed through transparency, consistent application of policies and showing genuine care for all students, the report reads.


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Clear and consistent policy enforcement is also crucial during protests. Policies should set clear expectations for behavior and ensure responses are proportional to disruptions, helping to respect free expression while maintaining order.

The report highlights the importance of having a well-prepared event response team that is diverse, trusted and equipped with clear escalation procedures. Trust within these teams is essential for making quick yet informed decisions in critical moments.

Recognizing the emotional toll that activism can take on students, university leaders are encouraged to approach student activists with compassion and to provide mental health support. One university addressed this by hiring therapists for both Jewish and Muslim students during a period of intense activism. “We hired a Muslim therapist and said, ‘This person is yours, use them as you need, we will pay for the services,'” wrote an administrator. “We offered the same for our Jewish students.”

In addition to promoting open dialogue, university leaders should aim to strike a balance between protecting free speech and maintaining a safe, respectful environment for all students, according to the report. This requires clear communication and the establishment of shared standards, with a focus on empathy and understanding.

Fostering dialogue, building trust, enforcing clear policies and approaching student activists with compassion can help administrators transform moments of tension into opportunities for growth and connection, ultimately maintaining campus unity during challenging times.

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