Embedded Files
Image by Michele Dupont, from the University Star
Option 1 Parallel:
BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS
BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS
Summary
Black Lives Matter protests have been on-going since the acquittal of George Zimmerman in 2013 after he fatally shot Trayvon Martin, and have recently become much larger and widespread during the spring and summer of 2020 with the death of black folks such as Breonna Taylor and George Floyd at the hands of police. Many college students across the country have participated in some form of activism relating to the Black Lives Matter movement.
One example to examine is the Black Lives Matter protest at Texas State University. On September 6, 2020, a group of students protested the Texas State University's police department, calling for the university to defund their police. The students, unarmed, began chanting "Black Lives Matter," only to be met with the police locking the doors to the building where the protest took place. This incident takes place months after a Texas State Student was critically injured at another Black Lives Matter protest, to which the University President stated that "Black Lives Matter. It is not debatable at Texas State."
How did the administration respond?
The university has not publicly responded to student demands to defund the University Police Department, despite making clear statements in support of Black Lives Matter.
Reflection Question
Are there any similarities to the Texas State University President's statement that "Black Lives Matter," but lack of response about calls to defund the university police department and the Eastern Michigan University President's statement about "proper forms of protest"? What are they?
Option 2 Parallel:
LGBTQ+ RIGHTS: GENDER Neutral BATHROOMS
LGBTQ+ RIGHTS: GENDER Neutral BATHROOMS
Summary
In 2016, students at UMASS Amherst held a "Shit-In," an occupation of the bathrooms in the administrative building on campus, to demand more gender-neutral restrooms. At the time, the majority of gender-neutral restrooms were those designated for people with disabilities, and were not widespread through campus. At any given time throughout the week, 30 students would be found occupying each bathroom stall, except for those designated for accessibility accommodations.
How did the administration respond?
UMASS Spokesman Edward Blaguszewski made a statement that there were over 100 gender-neutral restrooms throughout campus, and that administrators had plans to install 50 more within the year. The administration also released a statement allowing students to use whichever restroom fit their gender identity. Finally, Blaguszewski also noted that the administration would engage with trans students about their needs.
Reflection Question
How does UMASS Amherst's response differ from the historical response from Virginia Tech? How could societal or regional values play into these responses?
Image by Carol Lollis, from the Daily Hampshire Gazette
Screenshot from student petitions via Change.com
Option 3:
STUDENT COSTS DURING COVID-19
STUDENT COSTS DURING COVID-19
Summary
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities have turned partially or fully remote, allowing students to take classes from their homes while working towards their degree. While each university has it's own approach to navigating the pandemic, this module will focus on Rutgers University. Rutgers chose to be mostly online during the Fall 2020 semester, and did not reduce tuition or fees, against the wishes of many students. Rutgers students have started a petition to reduce both tuition and fees for students who are not on campus and therefore not utilizing campus services that their fee charges cover. These sentiments have even captured some faculty and staff support.
How did the administration respond?
Rutgers University president, Jonathan Halloway, proposed a freeze of the planned 3% tuition increase, claiming it was an administrative decision to not place addition financial burden on students and their families during a time of hardship. Eventually, the administration decided to reduce student fees by a percentage, but still did not eliminate them all together.
Reflection Question
How does the continuation of administrative priorities at UMASS Amherst historically and Rutgers University reveal or show about the financial aspect of higher education? Has the perceived value of 'traditional' institutions changed?
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