How 50 student affairs leaders are feeling about student activism this fall

Only weeks into the fall semester, we are starting to get a clearer view of the student activism terrain this year. Across the past few weeks, we surveyed about 50 student affairs leaders to understand their predictions and top-of-mind concerns regarding student activism this fall.

Download a Detailed Report on Survey Findings

Here are the top three key takeaways from the survey.

1. Most institutions do not have an established process for responding to student demands or a protocol for student demonstrations

The majority of institutions surveyed do not have a protocol for responding to an active student protest or a formal process for responding to student demands.

Across the board, student affairs leaders are anticipating an increase in student activism online, on-campus and in the community.

To maximize positive outcomes for both students and the institution, it is essential for leaders to take steps now to plan a procedure for responding to student activism on campus (especially for institutions who have welcomed students back to campus amidst COVID-19).

2. Student affairs leaders feel least prepared to follow and respond to student activism online

COVID-19 sparked a migration of student activism from the campus square to social media. Although many students are still physically gathering to protest in their communities, many have adapted their planning process and advocacy campaigns to an online format to increase accessibility amongst their peers. Social media has been a growing trend among activists for years, but much like many digital transformations sparked by COVID-19, the trend of online activism has grown expeditiously over the past 6 months. Students are innovating to find new ways to influence change in a virtual environment. Check out this recent example of how resident advisors at Cornell University offered a student-demand focused training for their RA colleagues at other institutions.

It is no surprise student affairs leaders are feeling the pressure to adapt their methods of tracking and responding to student activism. When asked to rate their preparedness of tracking student activism online, 61% of respondents said they felt unprepared. When asked to rate their preparedness of responding to student activism online, 95% of respondents indicated they felt there was room for improvement (56% said they felt unprepared).