As finals week approaches, Lehigh students find their work under intense scrutiny, measured against high expectations.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a familiar cycle: finishing assignments, meeting deadlines and taking exams. But this semester, something has shifted. There\u2019s a growing sense that not everyone is being held to the same standards of accountability \u2014 especially the administration.<\/p>\n
If the university evaluates students at the end of each semester, it\u2019s fair to evaluate the administration as well. And if the editorial board were to assign a grade this spring, it would land somewhere in the middle: not a failure, but far from exemplary.<\/p>\n
This semester began with a moment that demanded decisive leadership. In February, fraternity and sorority social events were suspended <\/a>after a racist image surfaced, prompting a long-overdue campus conversation about accountability <\/a>in Greek life. The pause created an opportunity for the administration to move beyond reactive discipline and toward meaningful cultural change.<\/p>\n Instead, that opportunity was met with reaction, not reform.<\/p>\n By March another racist incident emerged \u2014 a BORG<\/a> on Buchanan Street depicting an anti-Black caricature. The Black Student Union<\/a> responded quickly, and student organizers mobilized at \u201cPace the Prez.\u201d<\/a> The Student Senate followed with a formal resolution<\/a> calling for concrete action.<\/p>\n In each instance, students led. They organized, spoke out and demanded change with urgency. The administration responded, but largely in ways that felt reactive rather than preventive.<\/p>\n President Joseph Helble issued a statement condemning racism<\/a> and announced working groups.<\/a> While the message acknowledged harm, it followed a pattern that\u2019s become familiar: delayed responses and limited clarity on next steps. Statements alone haven\u2019t reassured students who are looking for change.<\/p>\n The administration hasn\u2019t been inactive, but consistent reaction shouldn\u2019t be mistaken for progress. Real progress is proactive.<\/p>\n Lehigh should take a more proactive approach to preventing racist incidents by making it easier and safer to report them, following through on investigations and being transparent about outcomes. Regular bias training, stronger consequences for offenders and better support for affected students are also necessary.<\/p>\n Lehigh\u2019s reactiveness became even clearer in April during debate over recognizing a chapter of Turning Point USA<\/a>. The Student Senate initially moved to deny recognition, reflecting concerns among many students. The process grew complicated when a re-vote was proposed and administrative support for the group<\/a> became apparent.<\/p>\n