Information is a powerful weapon, and higher education plays an important role in countering the potential extremism or violence across campus. Colleges need to educate their communities about extremism, ensure that all students feel they are valued, and be attentive to signs of social dislocation. Teaching students how to use civic engagement and critical thinking can add more value to the classroom while making it a more empathetic place in the process.
In
Managing Political Tensions,
The Chronicle interviewed several dozen experts on politics, extremism, hate groups, psychology, campus security, and risk management.
These tense historical moments present clear challenges to colleges, but could also help clarify how advancing their missions both advance and depend upon essential democratic values they may have taken for granted. 
