advocacy | Campus Safe Words

TERM: advocacy
RISK LEVEL: High

Why It’s Risky

“Advocacy” is increasingly flagged in conservative-backed legislation aimed at limiting ideological expression in public higher education. Laws such as Florida’s Stop W.O.K.E. Act and Texas Senate Bill 17 prohibit the use of institutional resources for promoting specific political, ideological, or identity-based positions. References to “advocacy” in syllabi, program goals, or faculty work may be interpreted as evidence of politicization, especially when linked to race, gender, or environmental topics. The term is particularly risky when tied to student engagement, service learning, or faculty development.

Common Critiques

Critics argue that “advocacy” shifts higher education away from its core mission of inquiry and neutrality toward activism and ideological promotion. The term is often seen as code for progressive agendas and is used in legislative language to identify activities that may warrant defunding or disciplinary review. Some also express concern that advocacy-centered curricula encourage students to adopt specific viewpoints rather than engage in balanced analysis.

When It’s Still Appropriate

“Advocacy” may be suitable in legal education when referring to courtroom or legislative advocacy, or in nonprofit management programs focused on public interest work. It can also be used descriptively in research that examines advocacy strategies or institutions. In these contexts, it should be presented analytically and framed as a subject of study, not an institutional value or goal.

Suggested Substitutes

1. Public service (for community-oriented efforts)

2. Civic participation (for student or faculty engagement)

3. Issue-focused communication (in rhetorical or media studies)

4. Legal representation or legal argument (in law programs)

5. Community engagement (for partnership-based initiatives)

Notes:
Avoid listing “advocacy” as a learning objective, program mission, or hiring criterion unless it is clearly tied to a professional discipline like law or nonprofit studies. When discussing related activities, emphasize skill-building, public service, or analytical inquiry rather than promoting causes. Including viewpoint diversity and legal framing can reduce the perception of bias.