Institutional Neutrality: It's Not All About You, University

Newsflash to universities: it's not all about you. Universities should be custodians of debate, not participants. When the university speaks on behalf of the entire community, it's essentially sending the message that everyone should fall in line with said message or risk the consequences.

What universities can do instead is encourage activities requiring direct, meaningful interactions. In a world increasingly dominated by social media, where interactions are often superficial and measured by likes and clicks, DEI professionals can play a critical role in steering the focus back to real human connections. That's how we foster a community grounded in empathy and mutual respect.