Honors College to Host Pulse Discussion on the History of Campus Protests

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In 1912, students gathered on Old Main Lawn to protest the expulsion of 36 classmates who published The X-Ray, an underground, “unmuzzled” newspaper printed on green paper.

Dubbed the “Iconoclasts,” the students used the publication to circulate perceived problems at the university. The editorial grievance — focused heavily on faculty — was deemed an “unauthorized publication” and led to disciplinary action. 

Following the protest and a trip to Fayetteville by the governor, the expelled students were reinstated a few days later. 

College campuses have often served as focal points for civil discourse. Campus protests and student activism have a long history of making headlines and influencing public opinion and lawmakers. 

These movements have addressed both campus-specific issues and international topics such as racial justice, wars, sexual assault, climate change, student loan debt and more.

On Thursday, Sept. 12, the Honors College will present a panel featuring faculty and staff with expertise in cultural sociology, organizational theory, moral and political philosophy, campus police and emergency management, and the legal issues surrounding political protests. 

Students from the Democracy Fellows Program, a registered student organization designed to foster a democratically engaged campus community, will moderate the panel. 

The Pulse Panel Discussion will discuss how and why campuses often serve as spaces for assembly and activism from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, in the Honors Student Lounge (GEAR 130). 

Facilitated by Center for Community Engagement, the Democracy Fellows RSO is a non-partisan program aimed to empower students, improve access to voter information and encourage active participation in the democratic process. 

Faculty who will provide context and lead a question-and-answer session include: 

• Becca Spindel Bassett, assistant professor of higher education
• Jenna Donohue, assistant professor of philosophy
• Stephen Gahagans, chief of the U of A Police Department 
• Matthew Stanley, associate professor of history
• Connor Thompson, program director of the Enhanced Community Policing Project at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s William H. Bowen School of Law’s Center for Racial Justice and Criminal Justice Reform

“Universities provide a vital forum in our democratic society for expressions of dissent and solidarity,” Thompson said. “As a community lawyer, I've worked with local social change organizations in Arkansas on Know Your Rights education and legal observation at protests. As a researcher, I study interactions between police and community. Knowing your rights for campus protests promotes an engaged and informed university community.” 

Students from the Democracy Fellows Program who will moderate the conversation include: 

• Anna Abston, political science and economics major and secretary of Democracy Fellows
• Nora Cowen, English and English education major and legal studies minor and vice president of Democracy Fellows
• Tess Jones, political science and communication major and history minor and president of Democracy Fellows
• Muskan Taori, biochemistry major, art history and medical humanities minor and treasurer of Democracy Fellows 

After the Pulse Panel, Democracy Fellows invites students to participate in Thought Bubbles, an interactive activity focused on campus free speech. Students will have the opportunity to respond to prompts about free speech using whiteboards, dry-erase markers and speech bubbles to express their thoughts. 

“This activity encourages constructive and meaningful dialogue, allowing students to share their perspectives in a supportive environment,” Taori said. “Facilitators will be available to answer questions about free speech on college campuses, clarify what students can and can't do, and explain why outside groups are allowed to express their views on campus. This is a great chance for students to have their voices heard and engage in open discussions about this important topic.” 

And check out the U of A's Free Speech site.

The Honors College Pulse discussion series began in 2016 and was named in remembrance of victims of the Pulse nightclub shootings. Discussion topics are generated by honors students. The discussions allow students to ask questions about current events and trends and to learn holistically from varying interdisciplinary perspectives across campus. Panel discussions have featured conversations around affirmative action, the Dakota Access Pipeline Project, Roe v. Wade, the viral phenomenon of "Barbenheimer," the legal ramifications and decisions related to hate crimes, ways to fight local hunger and poverty, the Baltimore Bridge accident and more. 

About the Honors College: The University of Arkansas Honors College was established in 2002 and brings together high-achieving undergraduate students and the university’s top professors to share transformative learning experiences. Each year the Honors College awards up to 90 freshman fellowships that provide $80,000 over four years, and more than $1 million in undergraduate research and study abroad grants. The Honors College is nationally recognized for the high caliber of students it admits and graduates. Honors students enjoy small, in-depth classes, and programs are offered in all disciplines, tailored to students’ academic interests, with interdisciplinary collaborations encouraged. All Honors College graduates have engaged in mentored research.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.