Stella Ragas

I wish I could introduce myself to you. The increasing use of technological surveillance to target international and undocumented students pushes my name down my throat. President Donald Trump’s administration has revoked over 8,000 student visas. The “ catch and revoke ” scheme deters me from taking my concern to social media, as this one-strike policy uses artificial intelligence to scan visa holders’ accounts for demonstrations of political speech.

The decline in discourse has been evident across campus publications. Spectator’s editorial page, which I have overseen for the past year, experienced a noticeable decline in submissions. Not long ago, our inbox received several submissions a day. In recent months, however, few members of the community have voluntarily shared their perspectives.

“University courses must have clear alignment between the course objectives and the expertise that is shared with students, particularly as it relates to guest speakers, and this is clearly stated in the Faculty Handbook,” a University spokesperson wrote in a statement to Spectator.