Disruptive or Our Rights: Exploring the Role of Student-Led Change on College Campuses

On November 21, 2024, the M.A. in Advocacy and Equity Studies program and the On Discourse Initiative at Furman University hosted a thought-provoking event titled “Advocacy: Disruptive or Our Rights?” The event delved into the importance of advocacy on college campuses, examining how universities can support student-led efforts to influence social, political, and cultural change while balancing the need for campus stability. Dr. Akan Malici began the event with a lecture that provided powerful context on the role of protests and advocacy in shaping culture, policy, and societal values. Following the lecture, Jocelyn Boulware Bruce facilitated a dynamic panel discussion featuring Dr. Malici, Dean Jason Cassidy, and Furman students Will Sander and Emerson Alden. The panelists engaged in an insightful conversation about the complexities of student advocacy and its impact on campus communities. They shared diverse perspectives on how universities can better support students who are advocating for change while navigating administrative responsibilities.