Teacher Tea
Navigating Political Waters in our Schools
Administrators usually steer clear of divisive political topics for the sake of an inclusive classroom environment, and by encouraging respectful dialogue, they can help prevent political conflicts from escalating into disruptions. But they sometimes have to be proactive in their approach when the school’s mission is at stake, along with the well-being of its students and staff.
To what degree should administration respond to protests and demands from the student body?
We can examine one example of this conundrum with Ann Cudd, the president of Portland State University. The Chronicle of Higher Education has featured an article, “Ann Cudd’s Disrupted Presidency,” written by David Jesse, outlining Cudd’s first year at PSU. Cudd is now entering her second year with challenges still looming. Her first year was marred by protests over budget cuts, political ideology, and a lack of progress on a strategic plan.
Over the past year, Cudd could be seen in the media, addressing students occupying the university library and urging them to leave. These particular protests began with a group storming a board meeting, demanding divestment from Boeing. Cudd was surprised by their demands, as the university's ties to Boeing were minimal, and shocked by the intensity of the protests and their use of violence and intimidation tactics.
Several faculty members ultimately criticized Cudd's handling of the protests, questioning her definition of objectionable speech. But Cudd defended her actions, reading aloud the hateful language scrawled on the library walls. The library has since been repaired and restored to its original state, but at enormous cost to PSU. Despite these setbacks, Cudd remains optimistic and determined to lead the university through difficult times in the coming years. She still faces a tough uphill battle to navigate the social and financial challenges facing the institution.