Matters of Civility on Campus (From Violence on Campus: Defining the Problems, Strategies for Action, P 69-85, 1998, Allan M. Hoffman, John H. Schuh, et al., eds. -- See NCJ-186198)

• NCJ Number: 186203
• Author(s): John H. Schuh
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: Aspen Publishers, Inc.
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter identifies and discusses some of the issues that are related to the general topic of maintaining civility on the contemporary college campus.

Abstract

The first issue discussed in relation to civility on campus is the content of student publications. Examples are cited in which student publications have contained articles that are controversial, divisive, and bigoted. In some cases, the debate over such material foments campus unrest and possibly violence. Also, the openness and freedom of expression cultivated on college campuses leads to inviting controversial outside persons to speak on campus. This also has the potential for fomenting violence. Other factors that undermine civility on college campuses are hate speech among members of the campus community; access to and the use of electronic mail and the Internet to transmit hate messages; the institution's failure to prevent or respond appropriately to rapes and rape victims on campus; and fraternity rituals, including hazing. Whenever there is a high risk for controversy on college campuses, that controversy may escalate into violence among some students. 66 references