Preparing for the 2020 Election and Beyond

Preparing for November 2020 and Beyond

Proactively Address Blind Spots to Minimize Campus Flashpoints 2 Meet Our Expert

Angela Street Director Research Advisory Services [email protected]

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Preparing for November 2020 and Beyond Proactively Address Blind Spots to Minimize Campus Flashpoints

• Is Your Institution Prepared for Election 2020?

• Break

• Interactive Exercise: Preparing for Campus Climate Flashpoints

• Closing Remarks and Survey

Interactive Workbook

Use Your Workbook to:

Take notes throughout session

Discuss ideas and thoughts with group members

Engage in group exercises

Identify next steps and session takeaways

Post-Election Campus Incidents Hate Crimes and Organizations Made National Headlines Rose in US Post-Election

Mobs of tearful, angry students protesting Trump victory 30% swarm college campuses Increase in number of hate groups from 2015-2018

Campuses confront hostile acts against minorities after Donald Trump’s election 50% Increase of White Nationalist groups in 2018 Meet the conservative student activist who wants to make campus great again 30% Increase in hate crimes between White Nationalists march on 2015 to 2017, with biggest gains in University of Virginia crimes involving violence1

Source: Dickerson, C., Saul, S. “Campuses confront hostile acts against minorities after Donald Trump’s election.” The New York Times, November 10, 2016; Grinberg, E. “Meet the conservative student activist who wants to ‘make campus great again’.” CNN, April 18, 2017; Jaschik, S. “Tensions, Protests, Incidents.” Inside Higher Ed, November 14, 2016; Spencer, H., Stolberg, S. “White Nationalists march on University of Virginia.” The New York Times, August 11, 2017; Svrluga, S. “Mobs of tearful, angry students protesting ©2020 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. eab.com Trump victory swarm college campuses.” Washington Post, November 9, 2016; EAB interviews and analysis. 2020: A Tumultuous Year of Political and Social Unrest 6 Higher Education Faces Unprecedented Challenges Amidst Global Pandemic

January February Ahmaud Arbery March Higher Education shot and killed President Trump U.S. closes national WHO1 declares institutions close while jogging in impeachment trial borders to China COVID-19 campuses, move to Georgia. global pandemic virtual operations

April May Protestors voice CARES2 Act Students launch 100+ opposition to stay- provides $14.25B VP Joe Biden accused class-action lawsuits for at-home orders for higher ed of sexual assault by tuition refunds across the nation former Senate aide

Murder of George June Protests July August Floyd spark spark global Students demand U.S. reaches UNC-Chapel Hill national protests movements for end of university- 4 million shuts campus one for racial justice racial justice police contracts COVID cases week after opening

November Hurricane Laura 1) World Health Organization Election Day ravages Louisiana 2) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Sources: CNN, 2020 Year in Review; National Conference of State ©2020 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. eab.com Legislatures, Higher Education Responses to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Backdrop to the 2020 Election 7 Current Cultural Moment Is Triggering Novel Flashpoints

Recordings of Potential deaths of faculty lecture spark campus community due to viral backlash against COVID outbreak institution Public health implications of sit- On Campus ins and physical Zoombombing1 disrupts protests virtual classrooms with discriminatory images, Potential Off-campus Virtual videos, and chats Flashpoints outbreaks threaten regional public health Cybersecurity vulnerabilities Labor strikes exploited by Public Criticism across contingent bad-faith actors staff groups

Students organize coalitions across Faculty and staff Community institutions galvanize dissent to members take University actions legal action via social media against university

A flashpoint is a climate-related incident or event that causes disturbance in the community or media, including heightened levels of activism, media and public scrutiny, and reputational damage.

1) Zoombombing is an unsolicited intrusion into a video conference call, generally broadcasting inappropriate content. ©2020 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. eab.com Source: EAB interviews and analysis. Higher Ed Is Not In a Vacuum 8 Private Sector Also Contending with Climate Flashpoints

Alaska Airlines Panned Bon Appétit Stars Quit Judge Allows 2,300 Women After Gay Couple Had To Over Racial Discrimination To Proceed With Gender Give Up Seats Chairman Steps Down As Bias Lawsuit Against NPR Grapples With -Vox, 2020 Facebook-Chicago Tribune, Restricts 2018 GoldmanTucker Carlson’sSachs top Harassment Crisis Speech by Popular writer- Theresigns Independent, after 2018 Demand -NPR, 2017 posting racist and sexist remarks online -The Atlantic, 2019

-CNN, 2020 Chick-fil-A's Canadian H&M Slammed As Expansion Sparks Pro- Racist For ‘Monkey In Pixar’s John Lasseter To LGBTQ Protests The Jungle'Goldman Hoodie Sachs Sued By Leave Disney Following Sexual Harassment No More Rainbow Capitalism:-Fox News, 2018 Former-CNBC, Executive2018 Over Sexual Orientation Discrimination Complaints Protestors March Against Corporate -The Verge,Commodification 2018 of Pride Month -CNBC, 2019 Nivea Accused Of Tesla Is a- Reuters,‘Hotbed 2020for L.A. Fitness Says Employees Racism For Skin- Racist Behavior,’ Worker Accused Of Harassing Two Lightening Cream Claims in Suit Black Men Are No Longer Advert “TheWith challenges Company we are seeing on campus…conflicting views on free and inclusive speech,-Bloomberg, lack 2017 of -Daily Mail, 2017 diversity in our staff-USA– Today,-are the2018 same ones that everyone watches play out in Silicon Valley, Washington, and everywhere else. Students are judging us against them. This comparison raises the bar on what constitutes an adequate response.” President, Public University

Two Viable Response Strategies What Industry Is Getting Right

2018 Speed Company wide Responding to incidents swiftly to anti-bias training steer direction of conversation After a viral uproar caused by two Black patrons being arrested in a Philadelphia Accountability store, CEO issued formal apology and Assuming responsibility for any announced a mandatory anti-bias associated direct and indirect actions training for all employees. Underlying Concerns Addressing historical and systemic issues that have led to incident 2020 Actionable Next Steps Taking action against white supremacy Outlining comprehensive actions to address incident and mitigate Responding to the murder of George Floyd future harm and the resulting national unrest, Ben & Jerry’s issued a statement Reaffirmed Values addressing historical roots of systemic Emphasize sustained commitment to racism and advocating for specific policies company values and priorities to redress racial inequality.

Source: Ben & Jerry’s “Silence is Not an Option”; Kelly, R. “The Starbucks Incident: A Crisis ©2020 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. eab.com Management Case Study.” Bernstein Crisis Management, 2018; EAB interviews and analysis. But Higher Ed Institutions Are Falling Behind 10 Flashpoints Find Most Colleges and Universities Scrambling to Respond

Higher Ed’s Failed Response Incites Demands Why Institutions Are Underprepared May 2020 Senior Leaders offer empty words, Outdated policies and protocols little action In response to the murder of George Floyd, students and faculty criticize No strategy to respond, leading to higher education leadership for slow and reactionary responses placating protestors without actionable agendas. Students demand divestment No coordinated or trained first of police contracts. responders

Fail to proactively monitor for 85% potential flashpoint issues Of 4-year university leaders believe racial justice protests are likely or very likely for Senior campus leaders are fall semester surprised or frustrated by students’ demands AACU, 2020.

Source: Responding to the Ongoing COVID-10 Crisis and to Calls for Racial Justice: A Survey of College and University Presidents, Association of American Colleges and ©2020 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. eab.com Universities; EAB interviews and analysis. Repercussions Reverberate Through the Years 11 Response Failures Have Lasting Impacts on Institutional Reputation

University of California, Davis’s 2011 Pepper Spray Incident

Factual reporting Analysis of Crises Future crises occurs in the stakeholder resurface associated immediate reactions soon long after the with the initial aftermath follows initial incident incident

November 19, 2011 November 22, 2011 August 9, 2016 July 9, 2020 UC Davis Police Pepper- Pepper Spray’s Fallout, UC Davis Chancellor At Some U.S. Spray Seated Students From Crowd Control to Resigns After Pepper- Universities, A Time to In Occupy Dispute Mocking Images Spray Scandal Rethink Cops on Campus

Fundraising Consequences Possible Legal Action $6M 807 Total drop in existing pledges Number of student inquiries and donations to the University about free speech violations and of Missouri in November and restrictions received by FIRE1 in December 2015 2015, up from 719 in 2014

Enrollment Impacts Jobs at Risk

Ithaca college president resigns 10% after protests over race issues

Drop in applications if The Seattle U. Dean, subject of New York Times covers an protest, placed on leave institutional scandal in a long-form magazine article Pres. Falwell’s Blackface Tweet Brings Racial Dissent to Liberty U.

Source: Inside Higher Ed, “Seattle U Dean, subject of protest, placed on leave”; The Huffington Post, “How Media Coverage Of Campus Scandals Impacts College Applications”; The New York Times, “Falwell’s Blackface 1) Foundation for Individual Rights in Education Tweet Brings Racial Dissent to Liberty University“, Fighting for Free Speech on America’s Campuses”; ©2020 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. eab.com Washington Post, “Ithaca college president resigns after protests over race”; EAB interviews and analysis. How Will We Get it Right? 13

Higher Education’s Leadership Imperative

Beyond responding to the latest flashpoint or upsurge of activism, our students are asking us to tackle issues that are rooted in complex social challenges. Oftentimes, these issues do not have a single ‘right’ answer. With today’s political climate, any response (or even no response at all) is contentious.” President Private University

Discussion Questions

How do you anticipate the What worries you most 1 campus community will respond 2 about your institution’s to the 2020 election and its incident response plan? aftermath?

FAILURE PATH 1 FAILURE PATH 2

Failure Status-quo risk Information about identification practices potential flashpoints Paths overlook potential is decentralized so campus flashpoints. institutions miss 5FOR COLLEGES early opportunities to intervene. AND UNIVERSITIES

FAILURE PATH 3 FAILURE PATH 4 FAILURE PATH 5

Leadership teams Institutions are unsure Institutions address assume that existing if, when, and who the immediate relationships are should respond to flashpoint incident, sufficient for managing current or potential but not the broader the institutional flashpoints. context on campus. response strategy.

FAILURE PATH 1 FAILURE PATH 2

FAILURE PATH 3 FAILURE PATH 4 FAILURE PATH 5

The New Normal 16 Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Is Sweeping Higher Ed

ERM is a Growing Priority for …And Reflected in Hiring Needs University Leaders… Across Higher Ed United Educators, 2017 Emsi Analyst, 20181

22% increase in discussing ERM at the 113% full board level Increase in job postings for risk-titled roles 64% Increase in job postings that include risk skills

Chief Risk Officer Sample Job Responsibilities • Manage enterprise risk management program and report on risk to Board 1 in 4 • Identify emerging reputational risks Institutions report discussing • Develop and implement ERM at every board meeting comprehensive risk treatment plans

1) Job postings data, Sept. 2016 – Aug. 2018 Source: Emsi AnalystTM; United Educators, ERM and Reputational ©2020 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. eab.com Risk: More Talk Than Action?, 2017; EAB interviews and analysis. Risk Identification Practices Overlook Flashpoints 17 Climate-Related Risks Are a Continuing Blind Spot

Flashpoints Are an Unfamiliar Risk Terrain Top Five Areas of Reputational Risk United Educators, 2017

Our campus has a well-oiled process for assessing and managing financial, 1 Campus Climate operational, and compliance risks. But we are not there yet with respect to campus climate, in part 2 Sexual Assault and Title IX because of who is and is not involved in risk discussions. We need to do a better in order to prepare for the next 3 Academic Programs climate crisis.” Vice President for Student Life Private University 4 Student Behaviors

54% 5 Higher Ed’s Business Model Of institutions believe they do not have the ability to withstand a major reputational risk event

Source: Espinosa, L., Chessman, H., and Wayt, L. “Racial Climate on Campus: A Survey of College Presidents.” Higher Education Today, March 2016; United Educators, ERM and ©2020 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. eab.com Reputation Risk: More Talk Than Action?, 2017; EAB interviews and analysis. Recommendation #1

Integrate Flashpoints in Campus Risk Assessment 18 Prepare for Reputational Risks by Proactively Identifying Flashpoints

Flashpoints Challenge Status Quo Risk Registers

Common Pitfall Recommended Action

Narrow Content Focus Update Your Risk Register

Registers emphasize only financial, Include climate flashpoints and operational, and compliance risks, reputational risks as distinct risks overlooking flashpoints

Limited Grading Framework Upgrade Your Risk Grading Framework Registers assess only likelihood and impact of potential risks, Assess velocity and preparedness to downplaying reputational impacts account for the rapidly evolving nature of climate flashpoints

Range of Risk Altitudes Prioritize Institutional Risks Attempts at being comprehensive Prioritize the risks most likely to yield unwieldly lists of institutional, impact your institution, not unit-level divisional, and unit risks incident-specific risks

Source: EAB Business Affairs Forum, Addressing Persistent ©2020 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. eab.com and Emerging Campus Risks; EAB interviews and analysis. Social Listening Helps Surface Emerging Risks 19 Provides Real-Time Intelligence for Flashpoint Management

Social Listening Helps Brands Make Actionable Insights Result in Strategic Sense of the Online Conversation Brand Management

Volume Size a growing crisis, target your How many people are talking, response, and assess the impact and how often?

Voice Learn how prospective students talk Who is driving the conversation? about you and your competitors Who or what talked about?

Sentiment Identify and connect with student Is the conversation positive, social media influencers neutral, or negative?

Social Listening Toolkit on EAB.com

Apply social listening Audit your social Explore enterprise concepts to a climate strategy to identify and social listening flashpoint or crisis address flashpoints technology platforms

Source: Gross, L. “The Higher Ed Social Listening Handbook.” ©2020 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. eab.com EAB interviews and analysis. Five Common Failure Paths 20 A Roadmap for Improving Campus Flashpoint Preparedness and Response

FAILURE PATH 1 FAILURE PATH 2

FAILURE PATH 3 FAILURE PATH 4 FAILURE PATH 5

Decentralized Information Hinders Risk Mitigation 21 Multimodal Campuses Exacerbate Institutional Information Silos

Many Offices Have Access to …But Uncertainty and Confusion Potentially Important Information… Hinder Action

Information Technology “How do I know if this social media post will be problematic? Should I “This racist reddit thread is really do something?” blowing up. Virtual protests are being planned.” “How can I keep track of university Student Center events when everything’s virtual? “Several students are making a political statement and refusing “Who should I tell? I’m not sure to wear masks.” who handles stuff like this.”

Athletics “Why do frontline staff always seem “An athlete just tested positive to know what’s happening on the for COVID.” ground and I’m not in the loop?”

Public Safety Department Actionable info gets lost without “A fraternity is planning an off-campus established expectations on when party this weekend.” and how to elevate potential risks

Collect and Coordinate Information Sharing 22 Four To-Dos to Expand Your Data Points

Cabinet Response Team

Monitor Pulse Track Virtual Events Elevate Risks Debrief Regularly Use social listening data Create mechanisms to track Designate staff for Share key intel at to monitor campus pulse virtual events on campus reporting upwards cabinet meetings

Ex: Earlham College Ex: Georgia Tech Ex: Cornell University Senior leaders are created a social media providing virtual support frontline staff share routinely briefed about dashboard to connect for student groups to concerning activity with potential risks community during register events online Dean of Students; DoS COVID-19 pandemic elevates critical information to senior leaders

Strengthen Awareness of Potential Flashpoints 23 Risk Briefings Ensure Leadership Awareness and Promote Early Action

1 2 z z Key Benefits

President asks university Communications staff Provides regular forum communications office to monitor emerging for evolving discussions maintain a running list issues, including inbound with leadership of potential flashpoints communications, social media, higher ed trends, Fosters earlier cabinet and national news stories collaboration around risk mitigation tactics 4 3 z z Keeps risks related to climate flashpoints top- Cabinet discusses Every 6 weeks, VP for of-mind across the year emerging issues and Communications briefs prioritizes top concerns president and cabinet Enables longitudinal for risk mitigation and on top 10 flashpoint analysis of emerging early response risk areas areas of concern

Source: EAB interviews and analysis. 1) Public Research University ©2020 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. eab.com Five Common Failure Paths 24 A Roadmap for Improving Campus Flashpoint Preparedness and Response

FAILURE PATH 1 FAILURE PATH 2

FAILURE PATH 3 FAILURE PATH 4 FAILURE PATH 5

The Perils of the Status Quo 25 Two Common Approaches Do Not Promote Quick and Consistent Responses

APPROACH #1 APPROACH #2 Relationship-Based Response No New Team Required

“We are a very close cabinet. I can “We already have so many related always pick up the phone and call teams and task forces…do we whoever I need for any situation.” really need one more?”

Preparation Falls by Wayside as People Existing Teams Fall Short in Scope, Assume Relationships Will Suffice Skill, or Expertise

Assumption that primary actors will Emergency Management Teams are focused remain constant year over year on campus safety and tactical response for true emergencies (e.g., natural disasters) Lack of formal protocols because everything is based on conversations Behavioral Intervention Teams are focused on student behaviors and impact Belief that strong relationships result on campus community in quickly coordinated action Climate Taskforce matches in subject Unrealistic expectation that preparation matter expertise, but often lacks senior will happen when there is leftover time perspective and tactical expertise

Create a Dedicated Rapid Response Team 26 Set a Specific Charter and Flexible Structure to Enable Agile Responses

How to Assemble a Rapid Response Team for Flashpoints

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 Determine Scope Identify Membership Define Roles Clarify Responsibilities Delineate Tiers Assign Ownership for Next Steps • Communications vs. • Tier 1: Core members • Who does what as a tactical operations who are always activated crisis unfolds? in climate flashpoints • Specify how this group • Who has final sign-off interacts with existing • Tier 2: Unit-level authority? teams and departments designees and/or subject • What terrain is each matter experts member responsible for?

Key Elements

Define specific Educate campus and Establish internal and parameters for when the address expectations external communication team is activated – and about team scope and channels to receive and when they are not responsibilities disseminate information

FAILURE PATH 1 FAILURE PATH 2

FAILURE PATH 3 FAILURE PATH 4 FAILURE PATH 5

Should We Respond? 28 Lack of Clarity and Varying Perspectives on When and How to Respond

Presidents Split on Speaking Out About Political Issues Inside Higher Ed, 2018 Presidents Survey Aspiration Shared by Many… “I believe the president is a moral leader of the university… I know it’s difficult, but I’d Of presidents reported speaking out more on like them to be more bold about standing 55% political issues in 2017 up for the values the campus espouses.” than they typically do Mark Yudof Former College President

…But Difficult in Execution

“Presidents find themselves having to Of presidents said they make such judgment calls all the time and intend to speak out more 54% about issues beyond in turn they are judged by the quality of those directly affecting those judgments.” their college Anonymous Former College President

Source: Lederman, D. “Leading in Turbulent Times: A Survey of Presidents.” Inside Higher Ed, March 9, 2018; Valbrun, M. ©2020 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. eab.com “Walking a Tightrope on Controversial Speakers.” Inside Higher Ed, May 16, 2018; EAB interviews and analysis. Recommendation #4

Clarify When the Institution Will Respond 29 Set Expectations Before a Flashpoint Arises, On or Off Campus University of Maine System’s Stoplight Framework Simplifies Decision Making for Institutional Statements

Category Sample Issues Process

Institutional Directly impacts Chancellor and GREEN ZONE finances; student the institution presidents can freely and employee Mission Critical and community issue a statement health and safety; campus operations

Time permitting, YELLOW ZONE Does not directly Immigration chancellor and impact the mission policy; labor presidents should Mission Indirect and institution standards; consult with rapid national protests advisory committee

Chancellor and Political events; Unrelated to the presidents should RED ZONE state and federal university’s mission generally avoid policies not related Mission Unrelated or financial stability making statements to the university on these topics

Routinely update framework to be relevant to current campus, national, and global climate

FAILURE PATH 1 FAILURE PATH 2

FAILURE PATH 3 FAILURE PATH 4 FAILURE PATH 5

Incident-Only Response Is No Longer Enough 31 Institutions Face More Pressure to Address the Broader Context

Responses Often Miss Critical Component Illustrative NEXT STEP Responding to Addressing the Flashpoint the Incident Broader Context

• Racial slur is spray- • Bias response team • Little time for ongoing painted onto the main reaches out to related follow up as busy staff sidewalks in the quad student groups move on to next flashpoint • Quickly goes viral on • University releases • No larger community social media, with many statement condemning engagement initiatives students expressing upset the language

Addressing the Broader Context Is No Easy Task

Immediate incident response efforts Difficult to make and communicate are all-consuming progress on systemic issues

Wanting to get it “right” delays a Higher ed processes and decision comprehensive response making is slow moving

©2020 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. eab.com Source: EAB interviews and analysis. Address the Broader Context, Not Just the Incident 32 Proactively Address Emerging Areas of Concern Using Varied Approaches

Speak Out Facilitate Discussions President wrote an open letter to Tufts University’s College of Civic campus community condemning Life developed a guide for racial injustice happening across facilitated political discussions the country and historically on U.S. in preparation for 2020 election. college campuses.

Track and Report Solicit Solutions Cornell developed an online Crowdsource ideas for university tracking system that reports the initiatives like George Washington status of institutional initiatives on University’s Building Renaming campus climate and diversity. Framework

FAILURE PATH 1 FAILURE PATH 2

FAILURE PATH 3 FAILURE PATH 4 FAILURE PATH 5

Preparing for November 2020 Proactively Address Blind Spots to Minimize Campus Flashpoints

1:15–1:50 p.m. Is Your Institution Prepared for Election 2020?

1:50–2:00 p.m. Break

2:00–2:50 p.m. Exercise: Planning for Flashpoints

2:50–3:00 p.m. Closing Remarks and Survey

Scenario: Zoombombing disrupts a virtual course with xenophobic images, videos, and chats targeting Chinese international students Guide to Incident Response Faculty refuse to use Zoom Students call out Who does this impact? perpetrators in online forums On Campus

What are our guiding Virtual Potential priorities? Flashpoints What expertise do we need?

Public Criticism Who should respond?

Local news station reports on the story What is the public perception?

©2020 by EAB. All Rights Reserved. eab.com Responding to Potential Campus Flashpoints 36 Breakout Interactive Exercise Directions In small groups, design an institutional flashpoint response plan for a potential scenario this semester. The interactive exercise is structured as follows: 10 mins 20 mins 30 mins

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Group Debrief Frame Context Design Strategy Execute & Track

Election Incidents Covid-19 Incidents Bias Incidents

Cybersecurity Breach Campus Death due to COVID Racist themed party-off Campus voter registration 19 Outbreak campus data is hacked, changing Individual did not report any Local news reports on a “China student addresses; symptoms or participate in Virus” party where students use undetected until after surveillance (i.e. symptom derogatory language and threaten absentee ballot deadline reports, contact tracing) Chinese students Individual had increased exposure Asian Student Assoc. builds to broader campus community coalitions with national orgs to respond

Faculty Lecture Recording Labor Strike from Adjunct Student athletes protest racial Video clip of faculty speaking Professors and GA’s injustice against Trump admin goes Adjuncts and graduate assistants Athletes refuse to play after a viral; President Trump jointly present demands for star athlete is brutalized by responds via tweet hazard pay and increased safety campus police dept; sparks

Discussion Questions

1 If this incident occurred at your 3 How did different stakeholder institution, how might your perspectives complicate or actual response differ from clarify your response strategy? what you have planned?

2 Were there any discrepancies 4 What gaps or areas of in cabinet members’ priorities? improvement did this exercise How did you resolve them? highlight in your institution’s current response protocol?

Forward Action Planning

Take a few minutes to complete the Forward Action Planning Worksheet on page 9 in your workbook.

Proactively Address Blind Spots to Minimize Campus Flashpoints

• Webinar with Interactive Activity (Action/Scenario Planning) • Intended Audience: Cabinet Members and Crisis Response Team/Task Force • Scheduling On-Going and Beyond election Preparing for November 2020 and Beyond

Proactively Address Blind Spots to Minimize Campus Flashpoints

• How much time has your team(s) spent preparing for the 2020 Election ?

• What are your most top of mind concerns or challenges as it relates to preparedness and response to incidents/flashpoints?

• What ideas, content or elements might be missing or could be added to help an institution prepare for campus flashpoints?