Leadership 101: An 8-Point Lesson Plan for Restoring Campus Civility This Fall

There's no way around it: last year, far too many campus deans, presidents, and administrators did not receive a passing grade in leadership. This fall, just as a struggling student would, they must improve their performance to retain their place at their prestigious institutions. Specifically, that means overseeing campuses where free speech and diverse ideas thrive alongside respect and civility.

Campus leaders should follow this eight-step lesson plan, assembled from best practices proven effective on campuses nationwide, to restore control and create a welcoming environment for all students.

1. Eliminate Double Standards: Fairness and consistency aren’t electives—they should be the foundation of leadership. Apply the same rules to everyone, without exception or bias. Without consistency, a leader's legitimacy is nearly impossible to maintain. It did not go unnoticed that many of the same schools that supported and enforced preferred speech codes, enabled cancel culture, and implemented microaggression and sensitivity training for professors suddenly allowed free speech to be a viable defense for hateful rhetoric and open discrimination on campus.?
2. Enforce the Rules, With Real Consequences: Most campuses prohibited encampments, but these rules quickly lost meaning when administrators failed to enforce them. This inaction emboldened students to push boundaries, escalating their behavior. This lack of action emboldened students to push boundaries, leading to more aggressive behavior. Schools like the University of Florida, which made consequences clear from the start , maintained safer and more respectful environments. As we head into fall, some schools have outlined clearer prohibited behaviors, but the real challenge will be their commitment to enforcement. When a suspended group violates that suspension, the individuals involved should face suspension or expulsion. Moreover, administrators must stop negotiating with rule-breakers, as it only invites further misconduct. Finally, allowing student representatives to exonerate peers further undermines the administration’s authority to enforce its own rules.
3. Enforce Time and Place Restrictions: One person's rights should never infringe upon another's. Students deserve the freedom to learn, sleep, and attend events, including speakers and graduation ceremonies, without harassment, disruption or interference. The right to protest does not extend to disrupting others' educational experiences. Specifically, diplomas should be withheld from those who disrupt graduations. ?
4. Make Tough Decisions Early: Avoiding difficult decisions upfront only leads to compounded problems and forces tougher choices later. Leaders must act decisively before campus protests spiral out of control, as seen at Columbia this past spring. Failing to do so undermines the administration's authority and control.
5. No Masked Protests: Student protestors should not be allowed to hide behind masks. Concealing identities fosters bad behavior and undermines accountability. Allowing protesters to hide their faces eliminates the fear of consequences, which can easily lead to increased violence and misconduct. If students want to take a stand for their principles, they should be willing to put their face to it—this will encourage protestors to act with greater integrity and responsibility.
6. Protect Private Property: Most college campuses are private property, and campus leaders are not obligated to allow non-students to incite violence or vandalize property as they did this spring, actions that caused millions of dollars in damage. Individuals who disrupt campus life and cannot present a valid student ID should be immediately escorted off campus. Local law enforcement should be called upon to assist if campus security cannot enforce this policy.
7. Reinforce Values: Leaders must firmly and unequivocally denounce behaviors that conflict with their schools’ stated values, especially if the violated behavior is rooted in hate and intimidation. While certain expressions may be protected by free speech, a university is not obligated to condone such behavior in classrooms or on campus. Students and professors unwilling to adhere to their institutions’ values should seek a different place to teach or study.
8. Lead from the Front: Leadership isn’t about issuing statements from the safety of your office. True leaders must be visible, actively engaged, and ready to take control. In times of crisis, step out, take charge, and lead from the front with presence and proactive action.

Following these principles will help leaders create a campus environment where protest and free speech coexist without one person's rights trampling another's, allowing everyone to enjoy their educational experience without harassment. This fall, we’ll see which leaders and campuses earn top marks—or get a failing grade.

Robert Glazer is a serial entrepreneur, award-winning executive, bestselling author, and keynote speaker. He has a passion for helping individuals and organizations build their capacity and elevate their performance.

Learn more at www.robertglazer.com