The U.S. presidential election occurred on Nov. 5, 2024, and the Electoral College has determined the victor as former President Donald Trump. As concerns of political tensions grew over the past months, how can students safely process their emotions in the aftermath of election results?
Free Speech on Campus
RIT’s status as a private school has shaped how free speech is expressed on campus. In the university’s policy on freedom of speech and expression, RIT notes that: “as a private university, RIT retains the legal authority to determine the extent to which it will regulate an individual’s right to free speech and expression.” In other words, since the campus is private property owned by the university, the legal implications for speech differ from public institutions.
Cha Ron Sattler-LeBlanc, senior director of the Academic Success Center, chaired the Free Speech Series Committee during the pandemic, which promotes free speech initiatives on campus. Sattler-LeBlanc described the goal of creating an environment that encourages free speech.
“[The policy] is really about time, place and manner and not about content. That's one of the things that we've really strived for and that is something that I think this campus [has] grappled with,” stated Sattler-LeBlanc.
Sattler-LeBlanc pointed out that social media has played a role in affecting how people engage with each other, as they are generally less willing to engage in uncomfortable conversations.
For students, engaging in conversations outside their comfort zone on campus can be daunting. Sattler-LeBlanc noted that students fear making mistakes could damage relationships but learning to express oneself is part of the learning process. The ability to express can play a role in a student’s point of view when casting a vote.
Sandra Johnson, the senior vice president for Student Affairs, spoke about the importance of civic engagement on campus, particularly during election season.
“For many students, this will be the first time they will be voting in a presidential election, so it is really about engaging the community around the conversations and discussions that are happening within our government.”
How The Presidential Election Could Polarize the Campus
Both parties have portrayed the race as crucial to the survival of democracy in America, adding to the urgency voters may feel about the election. Democrats have depicted Trump as an existential threat while Trump has questioned the integrity of American democracy should he lose.
The context surrounding the presidential election led to possibilities of “sufficiently alarming politically violent scenarios” as Foreign Policy reported. A PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll revealed that 28 percent of Republicans felt that violence could be justified to safeguard American democracy while 12 percent of Democrats felt similar sentiments. Another poll by the University of California found that about 42% of owners of assault-type rifles said political violence could be justified. The polls were conducted before incumbent President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race.
“The divisiveness of the election will not end after November, and so there is a possibility of increased arguments and protests on campus from the losing side,” said Igor Polotai, a leadership scholar for Roar the Vote.
RIT may not be known for student activism in comparison to other institutions; however, the gravity of the election and changing conditions could set new precedents.
Voting During the Election: Community Engagement
According to a report from the Greater Good Science Center, university leaders nationwide are worried about the impact of negative voter emotions during the election season.
According to the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments, the last two presidential elections— 2016 and 2020 — illustrated how freedom of expression could influence elections. In 2016, students and faculty members were more willing to expand free speech on campuses, challenging norms. The 2020 election was relatively muted due to the lockdown, minimizing opportunities for student activism.
Lessons from past election cycles revealed the importance of coordinating among organizations — such as campus police and the student body — in providing resources for students to engage in meaningful political discussions.
Polotai noticed that in contrast to the previous presidential election cycle, the students “are way more informed about why they are voting, how they are voting and where can they vote.”
Sattler-LeBlanc stressed the importance of RIT Public Safety in ensuring students’ ability to exercise their right to free speech on campus.
Johnson expressed hope that students learn to use the resources RIT provides them to be engaged in their community, adding that the resources help students be good citizens.
“We might see more political graffiti or even a small protest or two,” expressed James Hanby, member of the Voter Advocacy Network (VAN)— a Roar the Vote volunteer program. “But anything massively disruptive to everyday life on campus is unlikely in my personal opinion.”
Resources RIT Can Provide for Students to Process the Election
Johnson provided a list of ways students can express themselves politically during and following the presidential election. Students can turn to CaPS, Spirituality and Religious Life, Residence Life, and the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement (CLCE). Chaplains from Religious Life can offer students religious guidance during and after the election. The Chaplains will be available for support during drop-in hours the week before and after the election week. Residence Life and the CLCE will have student facilitators trained to help students share concerns regarding the election.
Polotai added that a few Peer-to-Peer Dialogues will be organized to give students opportunities to talk with a Residence Advisor or a Roar the Vote representative. More information about these dialogues can be found on the Roar the Vote website.
Hanby recommends talking to friends to process the result of the election— and avoiding social media and news for a few weeks to avoid hearing others’ opinions.
Attaining a degree is more than being prepared to thrive at a job; a degree offers a student the opportunity to grow as a person and bridge the gap from childhood to adulthood. Similarly, voting in a presidential election is part of the process of formulating one’s identity and identifying causes relevant to them. Resources provided by RIT strive to identify the significance of casting a vote, regardless of the election’s victor.
