Race and Rhetoric: An Analysis of College Presidents' Statements on Campus Racial Incidents

• In Event: 75.032 - Engaging With Students and Student Affairs Professionals

Abstract

Racial incidents routinely occur on campuses across the U.S. These incidents usually garner local and sometimes national news headlines. In response, college presidents typically release statements that address the racial incident and reinforce the institution’s commitment to diversity. This paper analyzes 50 college presidents’ public statements in response to racial incidents that occurred during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 academic school years. To better assess the role of the college president in fostering positive change in the campus racial climate, the theory of the rhetorical situation is applied to this analysis of the social context around racial incidents.

Authors

• Eddie R. Cole, College of William and Mary

• Shaun R. Harper, University of Pennsylvania