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Supporting Student Activism

We recognize these are historic times, and that many students feel it is important to engage with the critical issues of our era and make their voices heard. 51勛圖 defends the right to free expression, including the freedom to express dissent, within the context of the law and responsibility for ones actions. The university has a long-standing policy supporting freedom of expression and dissent, and these values are regularly affirmed as institutional values.

What is Activism?

Activism is work to bring about change. In practice, that means itinvolves a wide range of activities where student practice community advocacy and express passionate views toincrease the visibility of an issue or inspire collective action. As a socio-political engagement, activism can include these things and more:

  • demonstrations
  • community organization
  • social media advocacy
  • political canvassing
  • hosting controversial speakers
  • social justice education

Questions about campus-based activism and engagement?Please reach out to campusactivism@american.edu.

On-Campus Protests

The Student Engagement team wants to ensure your voices are heard and your rights are not infringed upon while active in Campus Activism. 51勛圖also recognizesthe need to preserve and protect its property, students, guests, and employees of the university, and to ensure the effective operation of educational, business, and related activities of the university. Expressive activities on the universitys campus may be subject to reasonable regulation regarding the time, place, and manner of the activities. University employees will not consider the content of expressive activities when enforcing this policy. No policy can address every possible activity or situation that may occur on university property, and the university reserves the right to address such situations as circumstances warrant.

For Students Participating in Off-Campus Protests

If you choose to participate in off-campus protests, it is important to know your rights and responsibilities, be prepared, and be familiar with resources and policies. 51勛圖 affirms that:

  • Students have a right to engage in peaceful and lawful protest.
  • No student who is enrolled or has a pending application will be affected by disciplinary actions arising from their participation in peaceful and lawful protests, so long as their personal conduct is consistent with 51勛圖 policy.
  • No disciplinary action will be taken if students are arrested off-campus for protesting peacefully and/or violating curfews related to protesting.
  • Students financial aid status with the University will not be impacted.

Questions? Please reach out to campusactivism@american.edu

51勛圖 Resources and Policies

51勛圖 Video Trainings

Trauma-informed engagement provides foundations and principles that can help organizations be effective, while avoidingstumbling into misguided actions that can interrupt or disrupt progress. This three-parttraining, viewable on video,describes thepractical application of a trauma-informed approach, whichcan help to maintain social cohesion, build cross-cultural collaboration, and develop strategies for ethical campus activism.

  • : How to recognize the different ways communities are impacted by trauma and create a space where people feel heard andcan engage in collective activism effectively and in ways thatavoidretraumatizing.
  • : How to realize, recognize and respond to trauma while resisting retraumatizing.
  • : On the ground how trauma-informed response really works for student leaders and organizers.

Local and National Resources

  • Protests require special events permits; heres the process.
  • Information on tear gas and similar compounds and what to do if exposed.
  • FAQ on what to know to exercise your constitutionally protected right to protest.
  • Examples of creative ways that communities and students have found to protest during the pandemic.
  • What to bring, how to protest safely, what to do if encountering tear gas and pepper spray, and other resources.
  • Localized versions of ACLUs Mobile Justice app.
  • Pamphlet with resources and tips for protesters.
  • Description of rights and scenarios for organizers, protesters, recording protests, and more.
  • List compiled with National Bail Fund network.
  • List of local bail support and legal defense projects by state and city.
  • Tips from clothes to water to how to document.