Student Activism Faces Challenges at St. Joe’s
During the opening of St. Joe’s recruiting platform in January, Indah Bird Hennessy, a member of the Class of 2028, was struck by the promotion of a job listing for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Realizing the significance of this issue, she felt compelled to take action.
Determined to protest the visibility of the ICE role on campus, Byrd-Hennessy and a friend attempted to organize a demonstration. However, their efforts faltered as they struggled to rally interest from fellow students.
Byrd-Hennessy observed a prevailing sense of apathy among her peers, noting, “Many people I talk to are not really interested in politics or don’t understand how it applies to them.” This disconnect left many students unsure of the importance of participating in protests or advocating for social issues.
The situation at St. Joe’s contrasts sharply with activism seen at other universities. For instance, Santa Clara University witnessed 600 students protesting against ICE following unrelated tragic incidents this year. Similarly, Gonzaga University students demanded transparency regarding potential ICE presence on campus, showing a stark contrast in activism levels.
In Philadelphia, over 200 students gathered at Temple University in March to express solidarity against ICE and support Jerome Richardson, a Temple student arrested during a protest. The engagement of these universities highlights a broader pattern of student activism that seems less pronounced at St. Joe’s.
Dr. Brian Yates, a professor of history and director of the American Studies program, remarked that students have historically played a significant role in social movements. He pointed out that young activists often possess the time and energy to invest in their causes, making them vital contributors to social justice efforts.
Despite recent challenges, St. Joe’s students have been active in addressing social issues. Initiatives have emerged in response to past incidents of racial slurs on campus, with students organizing protests against the university’s handling of such situations. However, when it comes to the pressing matter of immigration advocacy, the response appears more subdued. Tinamarie Stolz, the assistant director of campus ministry, noted that while students recognize the importance of advocacy for immigrants, the complexity of the issue has made unified action challenging.
