Harvard's Decision to Rescind Acceptances: Lessons in Online Conduct and Character Development
As a current student at an Ivy League college, I find the recent controversy surrounding Harvard's decision to rescind the acceptances of ten students over offensive memes deeply concerning. The severity of this action raises important questions about online privacy, character development, and the values we instill in our youth.
Private Actions, Public Consequences
The crux of the matter lies in the distinction between private and public actions. These students posted offensive content in a private chat group, and while their speech was not criminal, it was certainly reprehensible and inappropriate. However, the punishment of rescinding their acceptances seems disproportionate to the transgression. A warning or a formal warning would have sufficed.
What this incident highlights is the assumption of privacy in online activity. Students need to understand that their online actions are not as private as they might believe. What they post online can have significant consequences, including affecting their future opportunities. The harsh reality is that online behavior can have a lasting impact on one's life.
Exploding Privacy Assumptions
The incident with the ten students whose acceptances were rescinded serves as a poignant reminder that what students post online can be very consequential. Other students turned them in, revealing that their private chat group was not as private as they thought. This case underscores the need to understand that when you go virtual, your life extends beyond your immediate circumstances.
Peer pressure often plays a significant role in these kinds of incidents. It is essential for students to recognize the impact of their online behavior on their peers and on their academic and personal growth. As a society, we must continue to educate students about the importance of responsible online behavior.
Empathy and Proper Action
While empathizing with the families of these students, I also acknowledge the challenges they face. These individuals are still children whose lives have been disrupted by their behavior. It is not their intent to be tasteless or cruel. However, it is also vital to recognize that these actions reflect poorly on the values they hold and the character they are developing.
Harvard's decision to rescind the acceptances appears to be a necessary and proper action, given the public nature of the incident and the values that the college aims to instill in its students. This decision reflects the institution's commitment to fostering a diverse, tolerant, and collegial environment.
Education Beyond Knowledge
The primary purpose of a college education, in my view, is not just the acquisition of knowledge and technical skills. It is primarily about the continued development of character aligned with personal values. College is the second stage of launching a child into adulthood, following parenting as the first stage.
I want the college that takes my child to refine the character she brings to it and deepen the values she has developed. Values such as tolerance, diversity, and collegiality of spirit are just as important as the qualifications and achievements of the teaching staff. Harvard's values are integral to its identity, and the actions of these ten students were not in line with the values the college wants to nurture.
Conclusion
In the end, we are judged by the character we display and the values we embrace. These ten young adults have revealed that their values are rooted in mean-spiritedness and elitism. Their actions have called into question the integrity of a college that aims to foster positive and inclusive values.
The incident highlights the critical importance of character development and values education. It serves as a reminder for all of us to be mindful of our online actions and their potential consequences. Let us work together to raise our children and students to be thoughtful, respectful, and responsible individuals.