CLOSET CONSERVATIVES: AN UNDERGRAD “YOUNG FOGEY” SPEAKS ON INTELLECTUAL DIVERSITY

Andrena Woodhams

Nowadays, a given part of the college experience is the observation of criticism, ridicule, and various disparaging remarks towards President Bush and his administration.   So common is this occurrence that you might be asking yourself why I think it worthy of remarking upon.   What you may not have considered is that the dominance of liberalism and the absence of conservative voices in higher education mask a serious reality: that “diverse” seems to mean “politically correct” rather than a wide variety of opinions, and that much of this problem lies in the actions of professors.     

Colleges and universities are widely known have overwhelmingly liberal faculties; most institutions have only a handful, if any, conservative professors.   Such is certainly the case at Rollins College , which I currently attend.   I don't begrudge professors their political persuasion.   Indeed, I have studied under professors I can still admire for their intelligence and academic accomplishments despite my disagreement with their political beliefs and treatment of conservative students.   What I do take issue with is professors' harassment towards students of differing political persuasions and the effect such behavior has had on intellectual diversity on college campuses.  

On numerous occasions, I've observed firsthand the ridicule that students are subjected to upon offering up a viewpoint other than the professor's.   As a result, the opinions of students who disagree with a professor are rarely voiced because such students feel forced to keep their mouths shut.   What student who cares about his academic standing dares contradict a professor intolerant of other perspectives?   I know I don't want to get on a professor's bad side when the grade I make or the recommendation letter I depend on may determine whether or not I get into law school.  

My school's mission statement declares that its continuing priorities are “diversity among students, staff, and faculty; the quality of student life; and the integration of a rich array of co-curricular opportunities within the curriculum.”  

Furthermore, Section B8: “Discrimination & Harassment” of the Rollins College Code of Student' Rights and Responsibilities states: “The College prohibits conduct which prevents free academic interaction and opportunities or which creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive study or work environment.”   The areas covered by this policy are “age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or disability.”

Isn't it curious how this policy doesn't extend to political affiliation?

There can be no true intellectual diversity in higher education until both conservatives and liberals can feel equally comfortable about expressing their opinions.   Neither can the quality of student life fully meet the high standard institutions' mission statements purport to place as a priority.   “Bush-bashing” on the part of professors and students creates an intimidating, hostile, and offensive classroom environment.

This is not to say that discussions of controversial political issues should be suppressed on the college campus; on the contrary, the college campus is an entirely appropriate location for political and intellectual debate.   However, political diatribes on the part of professors and like-minded students have no place in the classroom setting, particularly when the curriculum is unrelated to the controversial issues in question.   Neither should only one side of an issue be given for required readings.   I am not alone in this opinion; other students agree that not a few professors' behavior is discriminatory and unprofessional but are too afraid to do anything about it.  

My conclusion is that the higher education system is currently facing a decision, which is how to protect academic freedom and ensure intellectual diversity.   The obvious solution is to revise school policies to include protection against discrimination on the basis of political affiliation.   We need to remember that “diverse” is not synonymous with professors' opinions but instead with “of more than one perspective.”   Until we realize the weakness of presenting only viewpoint, students are, at best, only getting half an education- even at $34,000 or more per year.

Florida Students Love President Bush!

Students for Bush from all over Florida celebrated their love for President Bush and racing as Valentine's Day coincided with one of the biggest NASCAR weekends of the year. Race events began Thursday, February 12th and culminated with the Daytona 500 on Sunday -- and Florida Students for Bush were there the whole time, volunteering at NASCAR events to register voters and sign up volunteers for the fall campaign.

Florida Students for Bush at the Daytona 500

Drivers Rusty Wallace and Bill Elliot, along with Congressman Tom Feeney, were among those who stopped by to greet fans and sign a banner supporting the President. Overall, nearly 40 students came out to volunteer and convey the President's positive message to racing fans from across America.

Britanne Sanderson, a sophomore at the University of Florida, summed up what this weekend was all about: "It was such an awesome opportunity to be here registering voters, especially people young and young at heart who will be voting for the first time this November. I saw several switches in party affiliation because of how much people love the President. I know I've made a big difference being here this weekend."

Florida Students for Bush at a recent Bush-Cheney '04 training session

This weekend, "We love Bush" took on a whole new meaning. Today, we're starting to work on the best thing we can possibly give the President -- a victory next November!

Sheri Valera
Florida Students for Bush