Written by Michael Johnson.
Inspired by Columbia University’s recent protests, students from MIT, Tufts University, and Emerson College have also decided to show their support for Palestinian causes. This past Sunday night, quite a few students from these well-known schools gathered, setting up tents across campuses in Cambridge, Medford, and Boston. They’re really trying to make a point and push for their universities to rethink their relationships with Israeli organizations.
Over at Columbia University, things have really heated up since the protests started last Wednesday. More than 100 people have been arrested. The protesters, a diverse group of students and activists, are urging the university to pull its investments from Israel and are not shy about voicing their disappointment with how the university is handling the conflict. This has caused quite a bit of tension on campus, especially among Jewish students who feel unsafe due to what they see as anti-Semitic elements in some of the chants.
Remote Learning as a Response
With tensions rising, Columbia’s president decided to move all classes online this Monday to try to calm things down. This move was partly influenced by comments from notable alumni like Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and a Columbia grad, who said he’s holding back his support for the university until they do more to ensure everyone’s safety.
At MIT, the focus of the protests is a bit different, with students demanding an end to the school’s military collaborations with Israel. So far, there hasn’t been an official response from the school’s administrators. Over at Emerson College, students are also standing up for what they believe in. Owen Buxton, a student leader, was pretty frank in an interview with WBZ-TV, saying, “We’re trying to take our education into our own hands. We’re sick of what our school’s doing.” He stated they’re prepared to stay put on campus until their concerns are properly addressed—or until they’re made to leave.
Balancing Safety and Principles
In the midst of these protests, university leaders are trying to balance their support for peaceful protests with the need to keep order on campus. The president of Emerson mentioned that the protesting students are from an independent group, stressing the school’s commitment to free speech but also the necessity of keeping things respectful. At Tufts, a smaller group has set up camp, prompting officials to keep a close eye to make sure school policies are followed.
All this is happening against a backdrop of criticism from the Anti-Defamation League, which recently gave Tufts, MIT, and Harvard failing grades for how they handle antisemitism on their campuses. Harvard is taking steps to avoid similar protests by limiting access to Harvard Yard and setting clear rules about what can and cannot be set up without permission.
Our Take
The surge of campus protests is a crucial moment for university governance, showing the tricky act of respecting student activism while ensuring educational continuity and campus safety. From a conservative viewpoint, while the right to protest is fundamental, it’s important that these demonstrations don’t disrupt educational activities or compromise student safety. Universities need to tackle these challenges head-on, ensuring that student advocacy doesn’t lead to antisemitism or disrupt their educational mission.
As these events unfold, it’s vital for university leaders to engage in open dialogue with their communities, making sure every voice is heard and that actions taken reflect the institution’s values and respect student rights. The goal moving forward should be to create environments where complex international issues can be explored and debated in ways that are both constructive and educational, without risking the safety and integrity of the academic community.
