In moments of division, leaders are encouraged to embrace the roles of “educators and bridge-builders” to create environments where empathy and understanding take priority over conflict, per report.
The University of Texas at Austin and Emerson College have recently announced staff layoffs due to declining enrollment numbers and internal crises linked to the recent wave of protests. Some staff believe institutions are using the demonstrations as a scapegoat to downsize.
Several institutions have found ways to sooth student frustrations without calling in law enforcement, a strategy which risks emboldening protestors and casting a dark shadow on a university's image.
Students frustrated with the abrupt notice and lack of transparency took to The College of Saint Rose's official public announcement to voice their concerns, booing Board Chair Jeffrey Stone a few minutes into his speech.
From students all the way up to leadership, college and university community members who've spoken out on the Hamas-Israel conflict have faced intense backlash, further embroiling college campuses in an incendiary humanitarian crisis overseas.
With infections again trending upward, some institutions are reestablishing their commitment to vaccine requirements; with one college going so far as to reinstate mask mandates.
Recommended for the chopping block was the entire Department of World Languages, Literatures and Linguistics, which houses bachelor's programs in Chinese Studies, French, German Studies, Russian Studies and Spanish.
"The higher education system is broken," said Colorado College President Song Richardson at the Department of Education's summit discussing the end of affirmative action.