Photo by Alex Aradas
On April 11, 2025, students gathered in front of the library during common hour for the “Furman Stands Up” rally. The rally was attended by over 100 members of the Furman community, discussing topics such as limits on academic freedom, federal funding, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and free speech on college campuses.
“The main goal for the rally was to make a statement that the Furman community wants Furman to remain an institution that supports free speech and academic freedom and embraces DEI policies. When it comes to the directives given by our federal government, we don’t want Furman to be complacent,” said Lily Robins ‘26.
While the rally was centered on democracy, many attendees also were vocal about their support of DEI which has been a target of the Trump administration.
“I participated in the rally because I want Furman’s administration to stand up for its students. This includes students of color, students in the LGBT+ community and international students. We all deserve to be treated fairly and know we are valuable to the Furman community. When Furman silently removes any ‘DEI’ phrasing from our websites and makes no statements supporting marginalized communities on campus, it seems like they’re neglecting students. I understand that Furman risks losing federal funding by disobeying directives by the federal government, but by obeying them, they risk losing students who are integral to what makes Furman such an amazing place. Furman’s international students bring so much culture and diversity to our campus, and they’re under attack,” Robins said.
The rally came after gatherings of students shared these concerns in a more private setting. According to Morgan Chapman ‘25, the purpose of these meetings was not to debate political views, but rather to discuss personal and collective action that could be taken to address these concerns.
“[The meetings] were a good starting point, but action needs to happen, such as organizing a forum for people to express concerns and handle them,” Chapman said.
For some, the rally emphasized the need for Furman students and faculty to use their voice to make change.
“We all need to recognize that we play different roles. Furman staff are not protected by tenure, so faculty must step up, try to understand staff needs and speak up if staff can’t. Rather than simply deferring to the administration to take the lead, faculty can speak up. The administration is not the sole voice for Furman. Faculty voices also matter. We should all try to look out for the vulnerable, speak up and be kind,” said Dr. Kate Kaup, a professor of Politics and event sponsor.
The theme of protecting fellow students was prominent at the rally, with many students worried about their friends and neighbors.
“For me, participating in Thursday’s rally meant standing up for my friends who are unable to attend because they risk losing their visas. It meant using my privilege as an American citizen to speak up and reiterate that what is happening in our country is not okay. I firmly believe that when we come together and use our voices, we can create change,” Robins said.