Back to Campus: College students have mixed feelings

As the fall semester of 2024 is now underway and students have returned to school, US college campuses continue to be arenas for intense political activism, particularly concerning the ongoing Palestine/Israel conflict. This situation is further complicated by the sensitivities surrounding the upcoming US elections, potentially creating a highly charged atmosphere.  

The Heart Monitors’ quick pulse 8/14/2024 on the feelings surrounding their return among Muslim and Jewish students and the broader student populations reveals a complex emotional landscape and diverse perspectives on how campuses should navigate the expected protests, while upholding uphold free speech and the rights of all students to a safe and supportive academic environment.  

 Feelings about Returning to Campus

The responses to being back on campus amidst the expected “Free Palestine” protests show a wide range feeling:  

• Disappointed: Jewish students are more likely to feel disappointed (23%) compared to Muslim students (11%) and the general student body (12%). 

• Inspired: Interestingly, 30% of Muslim students feel inspired, compared to 13% of Jewish students and 29.5% of the general student population. 

• Scared: Jewish students also report feeling scared (22%) as do all students (20%) more than Muslim students (7%) 

• Numb/Indifferent: A considerable percentage of the general student body (32%) reports feeling numb or indifferent, which is higher compared to Muslim (9%) and Jewish students (14%). 

• Passionate: 22% of Muslim students and 21% of all students’ report feeling passionate, whereas only 10% of Jewish students share this sentiment. 

• Happy and Excited: Muslim students report higher levels of happiness (28%), and excitement (15%) compared to Jewish students (11% happy, 4% excited) and the general student population (13.5% happy, 11.5% excited). 

Jewish students, in particular, express higher levels of disappointment (23%) and fear (22%) compared to their Muslim counterparts (11% and 7%, respectively). These feelings may stem from concerns about antisemitism or a perceived lack of support on campuses.  

Conversely, a notable proportion of Muslim students feel inspired (30%) and passionate (22%), perhaps reflecting a strong motivation to engage in activism. Similarly, 29.5% of all students feel inspired, which could drive active participation in campus activism.   

Muslim students report higher levels of happiness (28%), and excitement (15%) compared to Jewish students (11% and 4%).  

A concerning finding is the significant number of students who report feeling numb or indifferent—32% of the general student body, 14% of Jewish students, and 9% of Muslim students. This statistic, however, mirrors national polling data showing some disengagement from the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.   

 Civil Discourse on Free Speech 

The survey results, however, indicate a general belief in the possibility of civil discourse concerning free speech on the Palestine/Israel conflict, albeit with varying degrees of confidence among different groups. A significant majority of Muslim students (79%) believe that civil discourse is achievable, reflecting a strong faith in the potential for respectful dialogue on sensitive issues. Jewish students, while also largely supportive of this notion, exhibit more caution, with only 60% expressing confidence in the possibility of civil discourse. This cautious outlook is mirrored in the broader student body, where 71% believe in the potential for constructive dialogue. These findings suggest that while optimism exists, there are underlying concerns—particularly among Jewish students—about the feasibility of maintaining civil discourse in the current climate. 

Policy Perspectives on Campus Protests 

When considering the policies that should govern campus protests, the open-ended responses from Muslim, Jewish, and all students reveal both shared concerns and distinct priorities. Across all groups, there is a strong emphasis on upholding free speech while ensuring that protests remain peaceful. However, the nuances in their responses highlight the unique perspectives each group brings to the discussion. 

 Muslim Students’ Perspectives 

Muslim students place a significant emphasis on the right to free speech and expression, with close to ½ of responses advocating for the protection of this fundamental right. Their responses suggest a deep commitment to the principle of free expression, viewing it as an essential aspect of their participation in campus life. Alongside this, many responses stress the importance of non-violence, framing it as a given expectation for any protest.  1/3 of responses touched on the theme of respecting others and minimizing disruption is another stressing the need to balance activism with the day-to-day lives of other students.  25% of the responses touched on safety being a priority with some advocating for measures to prevent protests from “getting out of hand,” reflecting a preventative approach to managing potential risks. 

 Jewish Students’ Perspectives 

Respect and anti-discrimination policies are a priority for Jewish students, emphasizing the need to protect marginalized groups from hate speech or targeted actions. This focus likely reflects concerns about antisemitism and a desire for institutional safeguards to ensure a respectful environment.  

This said, Jewish students are also somewhat supportive of peaceful protests but approach the issue with a greater focus on maintaining the academic environment and safety measures. Responses emphasized the need for protests to avoid disrupting campus activities, such as classes or access to buildings. This concern for maintaining normalcy on campus is further reflected in their support for structured guidelines that prevent blocking access and ensure quiet during certain hours and safety measures such as bag checks and restrictions on weapons.  

 All Students’ Perspectives 

When considering the broader student body, there is a strong consensus on the importance of balancing free speech with the need to maintain a functional educational environment. The majority of responses emphasize the importance of allowing students to express their opinions peacefully and stress the need for protests not to interfere with academic activities. This shared concern for maintaining access to education reflects a collective recognition of the importance of protecting the educational rights of all students. 

Safety is another primary concern, with the majority expressing support for safety measures to prevent violence and ensure the well-being of participants. However, there is a nuanced approach to how this should be achieved, with some advocating for security presence while others suggesting more community-oriented safety measures.  

Noise and disturbance control is also a priority with some emphasizing the need to maintain appropriate noise levels to ensure a conducive learning environment. Finally, there appeared to be broad support for policies that restrict overnight encampments and prevent vandalism, further indicating a desire to keep protests peaceful and orderly. 

These initial findings underscore both the tensions on campuses, yet the hope for progress through civil discourse and dialogue and protective measures to ensure the safety and rights of all to self-expression and to a positive academic environment.  

Will Universities be up to the task?  Are the students willing to engage peacefully? Can civil discourse occur if professors are not modeling it?  Will outside groups that support civil dialogue and discourse step in?  Can students who are number to the situation re-engaged? Will the extremes opinions of each side continue to dominate the news, or will we focus on what unites us, rather than divide us?  

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Study was done in partnership with One Pulse among 200 self-identified college students across the country, with 100 self-identified Muslim students and 100 self-identified Jewish students on August 13th and 14th as a temperature taking measure and to quantify the intensity of feelings many of which are being covered by the media and being expressed online.  

The key to our methodology is quick and timely reads of the most meaningful headlines in pop culture as they appear.  This quick take on the “pulse” of GenZ is coupled with a bold approach: daring to ask the questions that no one asks, uniquely combines on sensitive topics in the way they are discussed in the intimate channels of GenZ conversation.  

 The Heart Monitors’ Gen Z Tracker is just one way to quickly pulse how students feel. We continue our discussion groups and forums with students and nonprofits on all sides to get to the why behind the what of facts and feelings to promote meaningful dialogue and progress on college campuses and in schools.