My brother is applying to college next year and we are looking for colleges where his freedom of speech will not be limited. He is quite libertarian, so obviously colleges with libertarian groups and professors will be great. So far we have only two universities that we are definitely going to apply: Chicago and George Mason, but we need more options.
I can’t think of one college where all professors would be “radical liberal”. All colleges will have one or two whom you can easily avoid if you wish.
I’d recommend Hillsdale though since they’re quite in sync with libertarian philosophy.
TAMU would also work, although probably not as well as Hillsdale.
Lots of Baruch professors are libertarian leaning, but if you don’t live in NYC I wouldn’t recommend it (it’s strictly commuter).
I’ve always thought of Hillsdale as a very conservative school, rather than one where all voices are heard. It does have a lot of conservative speakers and very few liberal speakers, which is the opposite of what you typically see at other schools.
Yes, but it’s very libertarian.
In any case, “free speech” doesn’t mean you can say anything you want to anyone. Opinions have to be backed by fact and the facts have to be correct, even if perspectives should be quite different for the discussion to move forward. Also, insulting another person isn’t protected speech (whether the person is another student, faculty, or any member of staff).
A good mix may be found at mainstream religious campuses: Holy Cross, St Olaf,
Concordia Moorhead, Luther, Fordham, UScranton, St Michael’s, Ohio Wesleyan, Wofford…?
With lots of experiences at multiple Catholic schools and colleges, I would suggest as did @MYOS1634 that you seriously look at religious mainstream colleges. It may surprise some to find that Catholic schools, despite Catholic dogma, are accepting and tolerant of ALL people. You will always find lots of views, lifestyles, choices wherever you go. Some colleges will just accept that and move on–no big hoop-di-dooh recognition of an individual’s differences (what I think is the case of Catholic schools) vs. the schools that allow self-segregation and only protected free speech for some.
“We” are going to apply? Are you conjoined?
Hillsdale is the opposite end of the spectrum from “radical liberal” btw. You might find it ultra-groupthink-conservative – or maybe just right.
I agree with the other commenter: I can’t think of a single campus which is staffed with “radical liberal” professors who shut down speech. It’s good that you’re reaching out, an effort to do research. As you learn more about this, you may discover that it’s less ultra liberal professors who shut down speech and more fringe groups of students shutting down teaching and other operations at the colleges. At least, that’s what’s been happening at Reed College. And a few years ago, it seemed that was the case at Oberlin.
As it turns out, colleges, even liberal ones, tend to welcome various perspectives. Vassar, for example, has had long-standing conservative clubs–since at least the 80s maybe earlier. I think Vassar’s conservative club puts out a publication. That shows that they encourage various POVs.
Whether conservative students are brave enough to go to campuses where their views might be challenged, that is another question.
Here are campuses were conservative views will be the norm and “safe spaces” are considered so improper as to not be allowed–(doesn’t that count as against first-amendement rights of free speech, of those who want to create safe spaces? but I distract myself . . .)
Wheaton in Illinois (fired a professor who wore a headscarf)
Liberty University – founded by Jerry Falwell and has been known to kick off of campus liberal speakers
Hillsdale finds it controversial to invite liberal speakers to campus, so much so that a student wrote an editorial about it. – http://hillsdalecollegian.com/2016/09/lets-welcome-progressive-speakers-campus/
“Whether conservative students are brave enough to go to campuses where their views might be challenged, that is another question.”
I think this is a bit unfair. There are plenty of conservative students who are concerned with harassment not just that they might be challenged. I don’t think any student should be harassed. And your linked article. Hillsdale finds it controversial to invite liberal speakers. Did you just make that up? A student would like more liberal speakers. Missed the controversy part. There is actually a huge commonality between libertarian and liberals on many issues. Unfortunately we live in a time when people are bananas about politics and thoughtful conversation is rare across the board. And I’m leaving it there.
OP if you were actually libertarian, you would not have purposely started with such a triggered, intolerant title. What are you actually looking for? Classroom discussion with your bent, with many perspectives? Your bent of political activism?
A previous post mentions that “her brother” is an international student from Turkmenistan. There are also replies that are inconsistent with this post. Very suspicious.
@gearmom It’s controversial otherwise there wouldn’t be a need for an editorial. If it wasn’t controversial, then the liberal speakers would be invited as a matter of course – no need for the editorial.
Conservatives who aren’t afraid of being challenged seek out schools that will challenge them, places like Vassar that make room for conservative views. They don’t seek out places where their views go unchallenged, such as Hillsdale – that has to work to invite a liberal speaker as it apparently happens so rarely.
Actually, @Dustyfeathers, while I’m still not buying your ‘it’s controversial’ theme, you did have a truly significant point. Diversity of opinion is no longer sought. The second comment (Camus53) of that article was the most significant in addition to the need for the article. Hillsdale has become monotone (like the majority of colleges). It is no longer a libertarian college. That student was a libertarian who was let down by this. Like so many colleges, it has become a place of flat discourse. I guess that reflects our times.
I don’t think at Reed or Williams you can avoid them. We just want to have a place where you can have a healthy discussions without being harassed by faculty or students.
We looked into Hillsdale, it is probably too conservative for my brother, he is atheist after all. TAMU might be good, we will research it. Have any opinion on UT Austin?
@Deaston, yes we are from Turkmenistan. Foreigners can not be libertarian?
@Aymyrat I’m not sure that there is really any place like that for a secular libertarian. Where do you live now?
@gearmom, diversity of opinion is exactly what we are looking for. From that perspective
these colleges are not suitable for us.@Aymyrat I’d put you guys in a Jesuit school or other conservative bent school in New England before a Texas school.
If you are an international applicant needing financial aid, that cuts down your choices considerably.
@gearmom, my brother is in Turkmenistan, I am in Vietnam. It is really sad, that options for libertarians are so limited.
@Deaston, if school gives merit scholarship he will take it, but it’s not priority. I can pay for his education.
@Aymyrat A conservative in New England is generally a libertarian and likely secular. So those conservative like schools in New England should be more promising. Like a BC or Providence College. Even though these schools are “religious” they are inclusive. If your atheist brother is offended by any religious symbolism then that is not for him but if he’s a relaxed guy who is not personally religious then they would be fine.