Multimodal Case Studies of VCU, Virginia Tech & UVA: Student & Alumni Sentiments Around Higher Education & the Israel-Gaza War Student Protests
Introduction
The landscape of higher education is continually evolving. Understanding the nuances behind what influences the educational environment is crucial for higher education leaders, as their responses can have lasting implications on institutional reputation, student engagement, and community relations.
In this ethnographic case study, we explore the sentiments and reactions surrounding recent Israel-Gaza war protests at three major Virginia universities: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), and the University of Virginia (UVA). Our research, conducted through digital ethnographic methods, analyzed online sentiment to uncover the underlying emotions, perspectives, and motivations of students and other key stakeholders.
Ethnographic Analysis of Online Discussion Data
VCU
Across student and alumni discussions on r/VCU and TikTok tags like #vcu and #virginiacommonwealthuniversity, there is a noticeable solidarity with the protesters and a clear disapproval of the administration, city police, and state leadership. This sentiment persists regardless of whether individuals feel annoyed or inconvenienced by the fallout of the protests, or if they agree with all of the protesters’ methodologies, intentions, or language.
Analyzing these discussions, it is evident that VCU students and alumni share an awareness with other Virginia higher education student bodies that, unofficially from the administration’s perspective, student protest is a fundamental function and duty of the student body. On student forums like r/VCU, seen as safe, anonymized, and relatively insulated discussion spaces, and on TikTok, which is significant in this protest context for its growing use as a war journalism platform, there is a clear recognition of the need to be prepared for the historical precedent of media coverage and general public contempt for student protests.
VCU’s campus, being inseparably intertwined with a state capital city, naturally escalates the stage, spectacle, and adversarial threat of the protests. Students find themselves pitted not against campus police, but state police under the governor’s orders. This governor has previously expressed zero tolerance for the protests and focused particularly on VCU’s campus as an example, with his recent VCU commencement speech sparking graduate walkouts. Online discussions reveal that this cultural atmosphere and city infrastructural setting have catalyzed student and alumni camaraderie at VCU, making it categorically more intense and complete than at either Virginia Tech or UVA. Furthermore, the heavy state police response to shut down the protests has crystallized a sense of solidarity and purpose among protesters and non-protesters alike, regardless of the private campus trespassing legal precedent of the shutdown.
For non-protester students enduring the obstructive, distracting, and oftentimes dangerous climate of protest tension and conflict, the discourse specifically at VCU is much less divided in terms of empathy with the protesters. The language used by non-protester students, primarily on TikTok but also corroborated on r/VCU, often reflects a (sometimes humorous) commiseration through collective trauma. They share a common awareness and fear of arrest, aggressive public and counter-protesters, academic punishment, suffering academic performance, physical escalation, and buses full of state police, as well as experiences of violence such as physical confrontations, pepper spray, and tear gas.
Within this framework of contempt, the administration is seen as fully complicit in the state and public suppression, violence, and media stigma that the student body feels solidarity and purpose against. It is worth noting that these discussions, like the general student climate on campus, are overwhelmingly polarized in support of the protesters’ right to protest, even if there is disagreement on the implementation, execution, or strategy of the protests. Messaging from university administration and leadership is heavily criticized as antagonistic and ineffective, contributing to a general student body sentiment of “I can’t wait to get out of here.”
Alumni are deeply engaged with student community discussions on r/VCU. While many alumni report that they don’t share perspectives on the protests with all of their cohorts, they frame their responses and agency as parents of students or potential students, sources of fundraising, gateways of recommendation for prospective students, and supporters of their alma mater. Their disgust with the administration is particularly directed and vocal, knowing the significance of their role and voice within that audience.
Virginia Tech
The protest climate at Virginia Tech is characterized by a less escalated, intense, and institutionally aggravated type of campus protest. The campus is spatially well delineated from the town of Blacksburg, which is neither a large city nor the state capital. Additionally, Tech’s relationship to student protest and response is strengthened by a robust student union. This union actively organizes students and offers guidance and free resources to both union members and the general student body. Alumni are notably very supportive of the student unions’ actions, frequently stepping into discussions to commend them and express the comfort and pride their presence brings.
Critically, the protesters at Virginia Tech faced the Virginia Tech police, who operate more on their departmental philosophy rather than under state police direction. Statements from the Virginia Tech police and student discussions reflect a much stronger focus on cautious communication and empathetic patience between police and protesters. While this does not mean that protester attitudes toward police are not heated, oppositional, or polarized in student discussions—evidence shows that many students were antagonistic toward Tech police—a significant number of pro-protest students expressed gratitude toward the Tech police. These students appreciated the police handling the protests with relative patience, communication, caution, and respect/empathy despite positional, legal, and political differences.
The Virginia Tech police department has been shaped by substantial community pressure, particularly following their response to previous campus events, most notably the Tech shooting. Their operational philosophy, being more attuned to the needs of the community and the expansive campus that comprises much of it, is a critical framework for understanding the differences in the protest climate at Virginia Tech compared to VCU.
UVA
UVA presents an interesting case compared to both VCU and Virginia Tech. While there is overwhelming solidarity for protesting students from the non-protesting student body, there is also much more vocal dissent from students who disagree with the protests. On r/UVA, there is significantly more oppositional discussion about the impact, purpose, and role of the protests, sparked by vocal students who do not agree or understand. However, this should not be mistaken for a lack of solidarity—rather, it reflects a campus culture that emboldens these dissenting voices even when the overwhelming majority of the campus supports the protests.
Both sides within the UVA student discourse are often framed in a balanced and complicated manner. These discussions frequently devolve into debates about what effective and impactful protest looks like, to what extent protest should or should not be disruptive to the community and student body, and the dynamics of police, state, and public responses as discussed by other campuses in this study. A great deal of thoughtful organization of protests is clearly still housed on r/UVA, providing insight into student perspectives at different stages of protest and response in these detailed timestamped discussions.
Some voices claim that the average opinions on r/UVA are distinct from the average opinions on campus. This is true to a certain extent, as with all subreddits, which are moderated spaces populated vocally by certain perspectives. However, considering broader discussions, descriptions of events, and public and press descriptions around the protests, overall student solidarity at UVA with the protests is complex and multifaceted. It spans many different perspectives of the same events but ultimately remains supportive and aware of the importance of the student body’s role in institutional, national, and international politics.
It is important to note that alumni have an implied presence in these discussions, contributing to the complex operational, philosophical, and political discussions. However, the historical alumni makeup is much more varied in political stance on the protests. Judging by the current student perspective on the protests, it would be a mistake to assume that the alumni makeup isn’t shifting in politics, values, and oversight as future cohorts populate this pool.
Large Language Model (LLM) Content Analysis of Discussion Data
Student and Alumni Protests Across Virginia’s Higher Education Institutions: Sentiments That Fuel Political Activism Related to the Israel-Gaza War
Emotional Drive: The images and discussions reveal a deep-seated passion for justice and equality. Students and alumni express feelings ranging from outrage to hope, driving their participation in these protests.
Solidarity and Empathy: There is a strong sense of solidarity, as seen in the emotive language used by posters. Alumni sentiments feature solidarity and empathy long after graduation, indicating a lasting impact on their worldviews.
Frustration with Institutional Stance: A common sentiment among the protesters is frustration with their institutions’ perceived neutrality or complicity. This is articulated through poignant testimonials and calls for divestment from companies seen as supporting the oppression.
Desire for Change: The discussions highlight a yearning for tangible change within the university systems. Students and alumni are not just voicing concerns but also proposing actionable steps for their institutions to take.
Community Engagement: The images show a vibrant community engagement with students and alumni coming together in forums of discussion and debate. The energy is palpable with a mix of determination and optimism for the future.
Recruitment/Retention
Recruitment Challenges: The protests have brought to light concerns among prospective students and their families regarding campus climate. The fervor of activism may be seen as both a draw for socially conscious applicants and a point of hesitation for those seeking a more subdued college experience.
Retention Concerns: Current students involved in or affected by the protests may experience a sense of community and purpose, bolstering their commitment to their institution. Conversely, the intensity of the debates may lead to a feeling of unease among some students, potentially impacting their decision to remain at the institution.
Alumni Engagement: Alumni have shown a strong inclination to support student-led initiatives, often drawing from their own experiences of activism during their time on campus. This continued involvement can take the form of mentorship, financial support, or advocacy, which can influence the institutions’ policies and reputation.
Institutional Response: The manner in which institutions respond to these protests can significantly affect their public image and appeal to potential new students, as well as their ability to maintain a supportive alumni network.
Future Implications: The ongoing protests and the institutions’ responses to them may have long-term effects on the strategic direction of these universities, particularly in how they address issues of social justice and manage stakeholder relationships.
Broader insights into Virginia higher ed protest (news/journalism national/international political commentary local/Virginian commentary):
- Reddit – Professors’ Impact by Student Protests
- Reddit – Political Debate on Protests
- Reddit – Map of Campus Protests
- Reddit – Excessive Police Force Discussion
- Reddit – Pro-Palestinian Protesters at VCU
- Reddit – UVA Protest Analysis
- Reddit – General Protests at UVA
- Reddit – Protest Events in RVA
- Reddit – UVA Faculty Review
- Reddit – UVA Encampment
- TikTok – VCU Protests
- TikTok – VCU Protester Insights
- TikTok – NBC Washington Coverage of VCU Protests
- TikTok – UVA Protests
While the discussions surrounding college students protesting the Israel-Gaza Warremain heated, it’s important to remember the historical context of student activism. Just like the significant role students played in opposing South African Apartheid, the existence of a student movement today reflects a long tradition of youth leading social change. Considering their access to a vast array of information and forums for debate, students are often at the forefront of scrutinizing and challenging the status quo. They perceive their activism as one of solidarity with the oppressed, a stance that has steered student bodies into political arenas for decades. This activism can be interpreted through multiple lenses, with some viewing it as naive or misguided, while others see it as a continuation of an important legacy of conscientious opposition to perceived injustices.
In terms of the timing of these recent protests, they coincide not only with a general global rise in awareness and activism but also with the greater availability of time as the academic year winds down. However, dismissing these actions due solely to the timing would be an oversimplification of a complex interplay of education, moral responsibility, and political engagement. Yes, the increased free time can contribute to a surge in activism, but these issues burn brightly in many students’ minds throughout the year, not just during breaks.
The conversation isn’t just about whether or not protests are peaceful or the presence of defense mechanisms like shields; it’s also a reflection of students’ mistrust in a response they’ve come to expect based on historical precedents. While attending college implies complicity in its investments, it’s also an opportunity for students to effect change from within, holding institutions accountable where they spend years of their lives and large sums of money. It’s an intricate dance between acceptance and revolution, the roots of which can be traced back through countless generations of young activists.”
Broader Machine Learning (ML) Analysis on the Impact of Diverse Police Responses in College Protests
The response of law enforcement to student protests can significantly influence the outcome and perception of these events. This analysis explores how different colleges’ approaches to policing have affected their communities, particularly in the context of protests related to political activism.
Campus Police vs. Private Security: Colleges with their own police departments, such as public universities, often have officers with the same training and legal authority as municipal police. In contrast, some private institutions opt for private security guards, which can lead to a different dynamic in handling protests.
Columbia University Case: At Columbia University, a standoff between administration and pro-Palestinian student protesters led to the arrest of 109 demonstrators by New York police. This response may have implications for student morale, future activism, and the university’s public image.
Legal and Image Considerations: The decision to establish a police department or hire private security is influenced by legal complexities and concerns about the image of having armed uniformed police on campus.
Memorandums of Understanding: Universities with their own police often have formal agreements with municipal police, which can affect how protests are managed, and the level of force used.
Educational Impact on Police Performance: Research suggests that officers with college degrees are less likely to use force as a first option, which could influence the outcomes of campus protests.
COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic has changed operations for campus police, potentially affecting their response to protests and other incidents.
This analysis underscores the complexity of police responses to college protests and the varied impacts these responses can have on student activism, community relations, and institutional reputation.
Conclusion
The findings of this study reveal that institutional responses to protests are critical in shaping perceptions among students, alumni, and other key stakeholders. A measured, orderly approach that respects the rights of all students emerges as the most favorable response.
By persistently listening to and understanding the unique experiences and needs of their student populations, institutions can foster a more supportive and resilient educational environment.