In fall 2015, racial tensions at the University of Missouri sparked a firestorm of student protests at universities across the country. These protests reached a fever pitch in November, when students at Princeton occupied the president's office and two top Mizzou administrators resigned. But months later, what has changed at these schools? What do activists feel was achieved? What are the lessons learned? And what's next for those who became the faces of campus protests across the country?
Our guests included student activists Asanni York (@TodaysAsanniDay) of Princeton University and Erendira Calderon (@et_calderon) of the University of Chicago. Also joining was Dr. Shaun Harper (@DrShaunHarper), executive director at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for the Study of Race and Equity in Education, and Tom Hayden (@TomEHayden), former California state senator and founder of the Peace and Justice Resource Center. As the leader of Vietnam-era campus protests with the Students for a Democratic Society, Hayden offers firsthand knowledge on how students can use the experience of social engagement in college to propel them into leadership positions in the working world.
As part of the annual survey of incoming freshman, the Higher Education Research Institute found that 33 percent of college freshman expect to participate in student protests or demonstrations, and 40 percent believe that being a community leader matters. The infographic above shows a breakdown on where college students fall on their desire for engagement and support for various issues.
Take a look at the recap of our chat below.