As the Israel-Hamas war continues in the Middle East, many students at Baruch College have been personally impacted. This, in turn, contributed to a tense and divided student body. Unfortunately, Baruch’s administration has been ineffective in addressing the concerns of either side.
Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, Baruch’s campus has experienced a number of peaceful protests, demonstrations and marches hosted by both sides of the conflict. On many occasions, these gatherings have grown into more aggressive expressions of support or opposition. In those cases, the student body likely received an email concerning the interaction.
The emails often encourage respect, reinforce the college’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity, condemn any actions that could be perceived as violent and emphasize Baruch’s goal of maintaining a safe campus environment. Although the administration always acknowledges the conflicts that occur on campus, these messages never provide students with information that can help them to better navigate these times. The most recent of such emails was sent on Oct. 7, after the main entrance of the William and Anita Newman Vertical Campus was vandalized by graffiti.
“I am saddened to report that the façade of the Newman Vertical Campus was vandalized early on the morning of Sunday, October 6…,” the statement said. “The hateful act of vandalism we witnessed is a stark reminder of why we must continue to build a more inclusive and respectful community — one that embraces empathy, dialogue, and unity.”
While taking note of the situation, the administration once again failed to provide useful information about further conflict resolution. Nothing in the statement discusses future actions or discussions of training for affected students or faculty.
Such “blanket statements” are not effective for student body as diverse as Baruch. Instead, they leave both sides feeling unheard, dissatisfied and disappointed.
Baruch’s administration should take more concrete steps in addressing the situation on campus and cater to both sides of the conflict. The student body deserves more than all-too-similar emails promising safety, encouraging respect and condolences, while they continue to experience the lack of real action firsthand.
