What Student Leaders Should Keep in Mind Amidst an Anti-Equity Climate

Students are told as early as elementary school that college is one of the avenues for achieving academic and financial success. These same students, representing a myriad of identities and life experiences from across the United States and internationally, converge together in a higher education institution and are expected to find their people. How do they do so? One way is through participation in student-led organizations. Some of these include student government, cultural organizations, and interest groups. 

As a student leader myself, I find it critical to understand the significance of student leadership on campus and, as a part of that, I recognize how leadership can evolve in response to the anti-equity climate affecting higher education. As a leadership studies minor, I have been introduced to different forms of leadership styles. While every leader has a unique approach, it is beneficial to understand one’s style. As new anti- DEI legislation has been introduced and has resulted in an increasing number of institutional changes (164 changes across 23 states, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education), one leadership style that has become increasingly important is “inclusion leadership.” Defined as a leadership style that is focused on authenticity and establishing a culture of diversity and inclusion, inclusion leadership allows for various perspectives to come together to achieve a common goal. Creating such a culture is vital for group sustainability. As a student leader based in Texas, I have observed the changing landscape as anti-DEI laws have gone into effect in my state, and several states around me, and I wonder, what should student leaders do? Below are three actions I encourage every student leader think about throughout their tenure: 

Stay informed and engaged with institutional policies. The first suggestion I have for student leaders and student affairs administrators they work with, is to stay up to date with college student handbooks and any other related materials. Knowing what students can and cannot do on campus is important, especially when it comes to organizations and events. During my tenure, I have seen multiple instances at neighboring institutions where students were asked to leave due to either constitutional by-laws or the student code of conduct. I encourage each and every student and student leader of any organization to look at both the student code of conduct and any materials relating to your organization. I also recommend members of student-led organizations look at these documents as well. As a second term president of the SGA, one of the first tasks we ask our members, is to read through our constitution, by-laws, and election codes. By doing so, we provide our members with the knowledge needed to succeed. 

Understand local, state, and federal legislative impacts. The second suggestion I have, is for student leaders to become well-versed in state legislation that could affect the culture of both student-led organizations and higher education standards as whole. Anti-DEI legislation has impacted co-curricular spaces on campus in a number of ways such as the closure of multicultural engagement centers, the removal of DEI-related student workers, and the cancellation of equity-centered events. While there are ways to still address the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion on campuses in affected states, developing a firm understanding of the laws helps to illuminate these pathways. Examining anti-DEI legislation within your state, across other states, as well as through regulations implemented by state governing boards can help you understand the atmosphere in which you are surrounded by. Student leaders manage their coursework and the success of their organizations and these policies have potential to impact both. Staying up to date with these policy changes may help student leaders on campus proactively consider our role in supporting equity and inclusion efforts while anticipating the impact of forthcoming changes.  

Know the institutional chain of command. Finally, I suggest every student leader deeper their understanding of their school's chain of command. As a student leader, I have the privilege of working with the student affairs department, which helps me keep the organizations that I lead running smoothly. I have observed how student leaders lean on student affairs administrators for support and guidance. I urge student leaders to familiarize themselves with the people at their institutions and their rules. Learn who does what and more importantly why they do it. What does the leadership structure look like? What are their goals for the institution? How do they plan to ensure the student culture and outcomes? Who are the decision-makers and how are decisions made? The governing boards of public institutions and the board of trustees of private institutions make most of the decisions regarding funding. Governing boards, alongside state educational agencies often determine how enacted state legislation gets implemented on the ground. While private institutions are not required to adhere to state law, the boards of trustees of private institutions make decisions regarding funding for DEI efforts. I suggest learning about who is making these decisions and encourage student leaders to make an effort to constult with them about your organization’s impact. 

While student leaders are responsible for upholding the principles of the organizations they lead, they are also recognized across campus as people who are willing to go above and beyond the expectations of a college student. I believe one goal of higher education is to equip students with the knowledge to make a change in the world. Equipping student leaders with the knowledge to make a change on their respective campuses serves as the first step to achieve this goal. It is imperative to know how you lead, what is happening on your campus and in your state, and who you can turn to for help in creating change.