Before starting a group or building a presence on your campus, it is important to understand your school’s unique character and student body so that you can adapt your goals, strategies, programming and activities accordingly. For example, if your campus is considered to be politically apathetic, holding a big action right off the bat is probably not a good way to start. Or, if your campus is known for being intensely polarized on Middle East- related issues, you might consider making your first meeting small and closed to the general public, to ensure that everyone in attendance feels safe.
By getting to know your campus, you can also find out what has worked and not worked for student activists in the past. On the next page is a worksheet that will help you identify key people, groups, and resources on your campus. Below are some questions you can answer in this process:
• Who makes up your campus? What are the students’ backgrounds?
• How many students attend your school? Where does the majority of the student body live – on or off campus?
• Are many students involved in student organizations? What kinds of groups are popular?
• Are there other organizations or voices speaking on issues relevant to the Middle East? Do these groups share a common message?
• What resources (financial, institutional, informational) exist on your campus or in the nearby community?
• Are there related academic departments on your campus? Are there professors or staff who would be supportive of your cause?
• Are campus events about the Middle East well attended? Are they frequent?
• Are there Jewish organizations, anti-imperialist movements or political groups that would potentially support you on campus?