Question

U.S. universities are hiring "risk and crisis management" firms help them strategize ways to suppress student activism.

Answer 1

This appears to be exaggerated/misleading. Some universities have changed their regulations, requiring students to register their events according to the American Association of University Professors. Private universities have more leeway to restrict protest as opposed to public universities. The claim exaggerates the situation, since universities would argue that they are putting measures in place for safety.

https://www.aaup.org/news/aaup-condemns-wave-administrative-policies-intended-crack-down-peaceful-campus-protest

https://mondoweiss.net/2024/09/u-s-universities-spent-the-summer-strategizing-to-suppress-student-activism-here-is-their-plan/

https://www.aclu.org/documents/speech-campus

Comments

I think your response to this claim is accurate, however I believe the article is trying to convey the loops and holes that students must go through in order to voice their opinions and beliefs. Colleges are trying to discourage and limit students from protesting with these guideline changes. All of the articles mentioned condem and agree with the suppression of student activism on campus. Article AAUP, that was referenced states, “These policies, which go beyond reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions, impose severe limits on speech and assembly that discourage or shut down freedom of expression.” While there may be a perspective of exaggeration in the article above, to me it appears like more of a sense of urgency.

https://www.aaup.org/news/aaup-condemns-wave-administrative-policies-intended-crack-down-peaceful-campus-protest

https://mondoweiss.net/2024/09/u-s-universities-spent-the-summer-strategizing-to-suppress-student-activism-here-is-their-plan/