Student perspectives on campus protests mixed

Concerns over free speech on college campuses have intensified since the war in Gaza began last October, according to a new report.

The study shows a growing decline in students' trust in their institutions’ commitment to protect First Amendment rights, with low-performing schools failing to provide clear policies on free expression.

The 2024 Student Encampment Protests report details the findings of a survey conducted between May and June by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, in conjunction with College Pulse.

FIRE analyzed the responses from 3,803 students enrolled at 30 four-year colleges and universities across the country and then compared it to their recently released College Free Speech Rankings to gauge what impact the protests had on schools’ free speech climate, if any.

Sean Stevens, FIRE’s chief research advisor, told The Center Square that most of the schools were not doing well before the encampments began, but their scores plummeted afterward. He attributes the decline to students’ dissatisfaction with their administrations, but says it also reflects a lack of awareness regarding what is permitted.

The analysis indicates most students reported some level of awareness of their school’s speech policies on campus protests. Specifically, 34% said they were at least “somewhat” aware, 29% “not very,” aware, and 19% “not at all” aware.

While a majority of students are aware actions like creating petitions and holding peaceful marches are allowed, over 10% were unsure, or believe such activities are prohibited. Similarly, most students said they understand that encampments, occupying buildings, and defacing property are not permitted, but 10 to 20% are uncertain, indicating a lack of clarity on the policies.

One notable finding was a record number of de-platforming attempts.

In 2023, 156 were recorded, of which 54 involved a controversy over expression concerning Israel or Palestine. This year to date, of the 110 recorded, there were 75. Until Oct. 7, the issue accounted for 11% of all de-platforming attempts. Since then, related attempts have accounted for 54%.

Other key findings include:

Almost three-quarters of students said it is at least “rarely” acceptable to establish an encampment as part of a protest on campus, and 59% said the same about occupying buildings.Over half of Muslim students feel freedom of speech is “not at all” or “not very” secure on campus, and 48% feel “very” or “somewhat” unsafe due to police response to encampments nationwide. Roughly a quarter of Jewish students said their right to freedom of speech is “not at all” or “not very” secure (27%), feel “very” or “somewhat” unsafe on campus (28%), and find the police response to encampments makes them feel “very” or “somewhat” unsafe (26%). One-third of liberal students said the right to freedom of speech is “not at all” or “not very” secure on campus, whereas 26% of moderate and 17% of conservative students said the same.

Stevens noted the difference between protected and unprotected speech, explaining that while campus administrations are within their rights to crack down on disruptive behavior, it is their responsibility to establish speech policies, communicate them clearly, and apply them consistently and fairly – something the underperforming schools have not done.

“Students are seeing the enforcement not being viewpoint neutral,” he added.

The report cautions that the war between Israel and Hamas and the upcoming presidential election “is a combustible situation,” and protests on campus this fall seem inevitable.

FIRE suggests administrators and faculty educate students on the school’s speech policies, how to engage in lawful protest methods, and model civil discourse and dialog across differences. They must also ensure expressive activity policies are clear and consistent and apply them without violating students’ constitutional rights.

While no Pennsylvania schools were included in the report, the University of Pennsylvania made headlines this year after a weekslong pro-Palestine encampment caused uproar. On Aug. 26, the campus temporarily banned overnight demonstrations.

Both reports are available on FIRE and College Pulse.