By William Coffman, Local and Lifestyle Editor

President of Xavier University, Dr. Colleen Hanycz, addressed the challenges higher education faces in facilitating political discussion on campus at a time when political polarization and violence are rising nationwide.

Today marks two weeks since conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated while hosting an event on the campus of Utah Valley University. Kirk was known for traveling to college campuses across the country, to engage with and debate guests. He was answering a question on gun violence when he was shot and killed. 

The shooting of Kirk is the latest act of political violence the country has had to grapple with. In June, former state representative Melissa Hortman (D-Minn.) and her husband, Mark Hortman were shot and killed by gunman Vance Boelter. Earlier that morning Boelter also shot state Sen. John Hoffman (D-Minn.) and his wife Yvette Hoffman, hospitalizing them both. Last year, while on the campaign trail in July in Butler Township, Pennsylvania, President Donald Trump was shot in the ear by a sniper.

In the aftermath of Kirk’s assassination on Sept. 10, students and faculty at Xavier weighed in, expressing shock and dismay at the murder. Students and faculty also expressed concern about the division present in American politics, a sentiment Dr. Hancyz shares. 

“I think my hope is that this death was, while tragic, not totally in vain, and that we will learn something on college campuses about how we have effective dialog across differences,” Dr. Hanycz said. 

Dr. Hanycz has in the past supported the idea of institutional neutrality, the idea that colleges should not dictate what their students think but instruct them on how to defend what they think. Dr. Hanycz wrote an op-ed for the Hill earlier this year on the topic.

 “I believe a uniquely nuanced and powerful alternative to these options can deconstruct ideological divides and restore intellectual capitalism on college campuses,” Dr. Hanycz wrote. “That pathway starts with institutional neutrality — not as an abandonment of responsibility or a retreat from uncomfortable conversations, but as a bold commitment to fostering an open marketplace of ideas.”

Dr. Hanycz echoed that sentiment, discussing the need for balance when it comes to debate, and urging students to not be intimidated by it, but to embrace it. She mentioned the importance of partaking in debate on ideas that may be unpopular, using the example of women’s suffrage, discussing how at the time the movement was considered radical. 

“But that’s how progress sometimes is made by allowing even the most ridiculous radical conversation to unfold. And so my urging for this campus, in the classroom, outside of the classroom, is that we have an appetite to have those conversations, so be prepared for them,” Dr. Hanycz said.

 Continuing on this theme of debate and discussion of ideas students may not agree with, Dr. Hanycz encouraged them to participate and converse, rather than turn away. 

“But what I would urge you to think about is to get as far down that road as you can before you pull the plug on the conversation and say this is impossible,” Dr. Hanycz said.

Identifying ways debate and discussion could be fostered on campus, Dr. Hanycz brought up clubs and their invitations to speakers. Dr. Hanycz cast a spotlight on her hope for discourse rather than lecture. 

“I debated all through college, and then I went to law school, and I ran our debate society in law school. It is absolutely critical to me that we have those dialogues across differences, but don’t show me a podium with a single speaker not interested. Show me a panel, show me a debate,” Dr. Hanycz said.

As the school year progresses, Xavier will continue to host speakers and guests, informing students about a variety of topics, both political and non-political. Taking into consideration Dr. Hanycz’s advice on having an open-mind and willingness to discuss may be a great place to start for students looking to debate.