Methodology

This research employs a mixed-methods approach to assess how U.S. universities have responded to student protests related to Palestine. Combining qualitative and quantitative data collection, the study integrates historical context, stakeholder perspectives, institutional policies, and analytical frameworks to develop a comprehensive understanding of university practices.

A literature review was compiled to map out the existing literature on campus activism, First Amendment rights, institutional accountability, and relevant legal context. Key themes emerging from both primary and secondary sources were categorized and analyzed to identify patterns in university behavior and public discourse. Four domains were identified: Landscape of Student Activism, University Responses to Ongoing Activism, Role of External Organizations, and Legal Considerations. Scholarly articles were sourced using Google Scholar and JSTOR, while news coverage was drawn from outlets such as Al Jazeera, The Washington Post, The New York Times, and local university student-led newspapers.

To inform the university profiles, primary data was collected through Zoom interviews with student activists across multiple campuses, capturing in-depth personal narratives and firsthand accounts of protest experiences, administrative engagement, and disciplinary actions. Additionally, professors were surveyed using a Google Form, which included Likert scale items to quantify perceptions of academic freedom and institutional response, as well as open-ended questions to gather qualitative insights. Supplementary data includes university-issued public statements, internal policy documents, and disciplinary records obtained through online research. These materials provide context on university events, procedural transparency, and alignment with stated commitments to free expression.

This combination of primary and secondary data shaped the 20 university profiles and allowed for an accurate and comprehensive grading of each school. A grading assessment framework was used to evaluate schools based on four criteria: (1) Administrative Response, (2) Police or Security Force Involvement, (3) Negotiation or Dialogue with Students, and (4) Impact on Academic Freedom and Free Speech. These were then averaged to provide an "overall" grade.