Lessons from the 2024 Pro-Palestinian Encampments: How Universities Can Keep Protests from Turning Violent

As university campuses across the United States grappled with pro-Palestinian protests in spring 2024, institutions that took proactive steps to engage with students and faculty avoided violence and disruptions. According to a survey conducted by the College Impact Laboratory at The Ohio State University, involving students in guidelines for engagement, communicating openly and often, and involving relevant groups in decision-making were key factors in preventing escalation.

Key Takeaways:

• In every surveyed institution that reported protests, students were at the forefront of organizing and leading these efforts, yet only one-third of institutions consulted with students to establish guidelines for engagement.
• Institutions that opened lines of communication early between administration and student protest leaders were more likely to deescalate tensions quickly, whereas campuses where administrators did not engage early on saw protests lasting weeks or involving greater disruptions.
• Discussion of difficult topics, such as the conflict between Israel and Palestinians, shouldn't wait until protests break out to begin, and every school in the survey that proactively supported dialogue between Jews and Muslims didn't see violence result from the protests.
• Engaging in dialogue can help end protests peacefully, and at half of the campuses that participated in the survey and experienced protests, protests were ended peacefully through dialogue.
• Institutions that consulted a religious or spiritual life office staff member on campus were more likely to navigate tensions and prevent disruptions during protests.
• Proactive engagement with these leaders not only helps campuses navigate an immediate crisis but demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and respect for different groups' perspectives.
• Engaging from a mindset of goodwill with student leaders shows administrators value student voices and are willing to work collaboratively toward solutions.

Statistics:

• 15 institutions did not have protests.
• Of the 20 institutions with protests that had law enforcement involvement, between 1 and 2 institutions reported physical altercations between protesters and police.
• 50% of the institutions that participated in the survey reported that protests lasted less than a week.
• 100% of the institutions that participated in the survey reported that most protests were nonviolent.

Sources:

1. The Conversation -- USA (2) -- By Matthew J. Mayhew, Professor of Higher Education, The Ohio State University

2. NPR.org, "How Two Dartmouth Professors Are Addressing Student Questions on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict" 3. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, A George Washington University student carries a Palestinian flag at a student encampment protesting the Israel-Hamas war in May 2024