Paul Ellertson, online publishing coordinator

The question of whether Augsburg should be outspoken in politics can be phrased in two different ways: the main question above and whether professors should be required to give students the day off during a big protest. 

Professors should definitely be required to give students the day off because of our First Amendment rights of peaceful assembly and free speech. Students shouldn’t have to worry about missing class and making up work for that day. We’re already stressed enough as it is. Life is a bitch for most of us. As for students who may not feel safe going, or don’t want to go for some reason, or have other commitments, that’s a free day for them; who can complain about that?

Students should be able to go out, protest and go on strike and not have to worry about their academic success. Also, if professors don’t assign work or hold classes, it will be harder to determine who went to a protest and who didn’t. So there’s a level of anonymity that is also very pro-First Amendment, as people will feel more comfortable with their voices and their choices. This would benefit faculty as well, since they don’t have to assign work or lead classes; they can choose to go protest, stay home, or do whatever it is they do in their spare time.

If professors were to hold class and people were missing, those present in the class would have reasonable assumptions as to where the missing students are. There might be some discomfort in the class for the rest of the semester as a result, because students will get a better idea of where their classmates stand politically. Not to say this makes everybody uncomfortable, but everyone has a different comfort level, especially when it comes to politics. 

Students who feel like they can’t miss class to go to a protest often feel left out while the protest is happening. I know because I used to be one of those students who wished my professor had canceled class. I would have felt so much less stress when it came to missing class and making up the work later. Many students continue to feel the way I did, even when they’re in their third and fourth years. Some professors encourage their students to go to protests, but some students’ dread of missing class outweighs the need to go and protest. This might sound super cheesy, but it’s the case for some.

As for Augsburg as an institution, we have and are surrounded by lots of diversity. For this reason, it’s a moral obligation to serve and protect the communities in and around campus. There is a very real danger to being outspoken in politics as an institution due to the possible loss of funding from the federal government. Augsburg is also struggling financially as it is. It’s still a moral prerogative to stand up for the community against things like ICE violence.

Augsburg has taken a step forward in offering free housing to some lower-income students who are more vulnerable, which is fantastic. There is still a lot of stress, and Augsburg has been sending out emails regarding training to get to know your rights as well as resources at Augsburg Ministries and the Center for Wellness and Counseling, which I’m sure has helped and is continuing to help many students.