<p>I'm going to make a rather odd post that has been on my mind. Preparing to be stoned [not marijuana, geological stones]. </p>
<p>I am a black female from California and somewhat of a rarity - I'm a traditionalist. Conservative, stuffy, right-wing. </p>
<p>I was accepted into and love Vassar, and I have a question: are there other conservative or centrist students in the student body? I appreciate that I have read much about Vassar's diversity, but it always seems to be coupled with a phrase like "liberal, hippie, birkenstock-wearing (although I think birkenstocks are cute)." Is there some level of diversity of thought, or is it Sarah Lawrence? I understand that most schools are liberal and that Vassar is no exception, but I am just curious. What, pray tell, is the situation?</p>
<p>hey at the moment i am mulling over a similar question. although i consider my views fairly liberal i am not sure i want to be at a place that is so focused on being liberal...but what i feel is that although there is obviously a strong liberal comunity, if they realy are as diverse as they say they are there should be a rightist comunity (although it may be smaller). so im not too worried about it. and dont forget the people who chose you think yuo would be a fit and they apparently know what they are doing. dont worry you will be fine</p>
<p>I'm a libertarian, but am mostly apolitical. I'd consider Vassar a lot more if the student body didn't seem so focused on coming across as liberal. Activists also tend to annoy me, although they do give me a decent laugh.</p>
<p>Activists can certainly be annoying in their crusades to improve the world, yet they are often (usually) the catalyst in getting important things done. Being apolitical, on the other hand, implies self-absorption and disinterest, neither particularly admirable. Correct me if I'm wrong. ... As for Vassar coming across as "liberal," I would think a good conservative/libertarian would take that as a challenge. Get on campus, make your voice heard, make a difference.</p>
<p>I'm not talking about decent activists, just the ones who take up stupid (or I feel that they are stupid) causes. </p>
<p>I'm not apolitical because I'm a jerk, I'm apolitical because I am more concerned about providing for my own family than a few moot political issues. History has proven, as long as basic needs are being met, most people don't really care who is ruling over them (Mussolini era Italy, anyone?). I fall into this category. As long as my family and my own safety are not being directly threatened, I am not going to be too involved.</p>
<p>And trust me, I'm definitely not the kind of person who wants to consider it a "challenge." I have neither the common courtesy nor patience to put up with constant questioning of my own beliefs. I'm more of a "You believe what you think is logical, I believe what I think is logical," kind of guy.</p>
<p>Ah, the live and let live type. I agree with you on the importance of family first. I also agree that most people don't care who's ruling over them (Mussolini ... Bush ...). I can also understand why you wouldn't want to constantly have to argue for your beliefs. Good points, all. But I still think that at some point, activism--for a cause you can believe in--is a good and wonderful thing. A better world for everyone makes a better, safer, cleaner, happier place for those you love.</p>
<p>Hey, like you I've also been a bit concerned about Vassar's "incredibly" liberal reputation (I'm relatively liberal but want to be in an environment where there is some of both sides), so I checked out the website and sure enough, there are political clubs for conservatives as well as liberals. The Moderate Independent Conservative Alliance (MICA) is one such group which focuses on raising awareness among non-liberals and on allowing their voices to be heard.</p>
<p>Thanks littleathiest for checking on that. While I am also fairly liberal, I understand the importance of a give-and-take conversation between people of different viewpoints and backgrounds. I suspect that most really good liberal arts colleges, both conservative and liberally-oriented, will have active groups representing the other side.</p>
<p>I'm a senior at Vassar (w00t procrastinating my thesis). There is definitely a predominately liberal atmosphere on campus; the Dems is the largest* club on campus (and by that I mean the most people on the mailing list, only about 20 or so go to the meetings consistantly). MICA exists, but is sort of unseen unless controversy occurs (there was a bad representation of conservatives on campus last year with a publication and some racist statements...). I consider myself left-leaning moderate (I'm conservative fiscally but liberal socially) but I often find myself being considered fairly conservative in my courses. It gets slightly annoying only having one sided discussions on controversial topics, so be prepared for that. I don't mean to say there aren't republicans/conservatives on campus, but there are only a few, and you pretty much know who they are....</p>
<h2>"As for Vassar coming across as "liberal," I would think a good conservative/libertarian would take that as a challenge. Get on campus, make your voice heard, make a difference."</h2>
<p>I wouldn't go to a place where the vast majority of people are your complete opposite. If you want to hear other views, go to a place which is at least neutral overall with a lot of different voices. </p>
<p>If Bob Jones University didn't suck as a school, would you suggest that a good liberal should go there for college in order to make their voice heard?</p>
<p>Good point, collegealum314. But I'm not sure that the vast majority of Vassar students would be anyone's polar opposite. I'm certain a conservative could find a comfortable niche there or at almost any good LAC. Our family is pretty liberal. My girls both considered high quality, conservatively-oriented, Southern schools as college options. Despite the overall "flavor" of these schools, we didn't doubt for a moment that they'd find a comfortable place there. ... And no. Bob Jones U. was NOT one of the schools we considered!</p>
<p>How dominant a theme are politics on campus, anyway? I'm a liberal (but having grown up among Southern Republicans), but I'm not a staunchly pro-Dem, activist type, except maybe when it comes to the environment. I'm actually a registered Independent because I hate partisan bickering. Would this be a problem?</p>
<p>Kalisha--Look on the Vassar site to see if they have a Campus Republicans group. Or something of that nature.</p>
<p>--> haha... good point! I don't know if there's a Rep group but College Democrats is definitely the dominant one. </p>
<p>I wouldn't go to a place where the vast majority of people are your complete opposite. If you want to hear other views, go to a place which is at least neutral overall with a lot of different voices</p>
<p>--> You're right. The thing about Vassar is that it is very liberal but at the same time very accepting. So if you are open-minded, no matter where you are on the spectrum (unless you're extremely conservative), you will be challenged and learn rather than be isolated or scorned or anything negative like that (uncomfortable remarks now and then are probably inevitable). The professors I've taken classes with so far never impose their views on students but usually ask a lot of questions to challenge our assumptions and encourage us to speak out. Discussions among peers, in or outside classrooms, are respectful. I've learned so much thanks to this "liberal" atmosphere and I believe you will be likely to have a positive experience too.</p>
<p>It gets slightly annoying only having one sided discussions on controversial topics, so be prepared for that. </p>
<p>--> this reminds me of the philosophy class about contemporary issues I took last semester. The class was discussion-based and for most days we have good inputs on both sides about death penalty, abortion, affirmative action, terrorism... except when the question of gay marriage was raised, very people had anything to say 'coz pretty much everyone supported it. So yeah, I can relate to what edpolicygirl said. But generally, the campus is liberal in broad terms.... liberal = very open-minded I would say... it doesn't narrowly mean "politically left".</p>
<p>that's great hakuna matata...that's the way it should be.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, many prestigious liberal arts colleges/universities are more about indoctrination than discussion encouraging rigorous arguments from different viewpoints.</p>
<p>In response to Visirale - although you and your family's comfort is understandably a top priority in your life, I am shocked that you criticize activists for supporting "stupid" causes and wanting to speak their mind. If everyone acts based on the philosophy of "each man for himself," where will the world be in five, ten, fifteen, one hundred years? Fortunately there are many people out there who care enough about the "moot political issues" that you reference to be motivated to try to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world. Just because your family isn't directly threatened doesn't excuse you from making an effort to be a responsible world citizen. </p>
<p>I'm also surprised how you take for granted the idea of all basic needs being met - if your definition of "basic needs" includes such fundamental human rights as food, shelter, and safety, (not to mention the access to healthcare and education, and freedoms of speech and religion that many of us enjoy) then basic needs are not being met for many people. </p>
<p>If you do enjoy these things, you should feel privileged to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Whatever your political and social views, there are ways for you to take action for what you believe. Even if you are not enthusiastic about the idea of waving signs and handing out leaflets, or don't have the financial means to donate money to the plethora of charities whose causes have surely been advertised to you, there are other ways to have a positive impact. Maybe try volunteering your time to help further a cause that you care about. You may be surprised at how rewarding it can be to give back to your community and world.</p>
<p>As to your comment about being unwilling to "put up with the constant questioning of your beliefs": If you are unwilling to hear out opposing perspectives, how can you claim that your beliefs are logical? A certain amount of discomfort is healthy and can spark interesting and enlightening debate.</p>
<p>On that note, sorry if my response falls into the category of the challenges to your views that you refer to. </p>
<p>i am a sophomore at vassar, and i can tell you that there is not a lot of conservatism here. we had the moderate, independent, and conservative students' alliance, but i believe their recognitioin was revoked after a major controversy last year involving some statements they made in their campus publication about racial diversity.</p>
<p>if they are still around as an organization, they are not really heard from.</p>
<p>if you think a liberal environment will make you uncomfortable or unhappy, i would advise against vassar, but if it would not bother you, please come! any group of people benefit from a diverse selection of viewpoints. just be aware that you won't find a ton of like-minded people.</p>
<p>So you won't see any I LOVE George W signs in people's windows at Vassar. And if you have a problem with people of diverse sexual orientations PLEASE, PLEASE go elsewhere but INTELLECTUALLY and poltically Vassar kids are all over the map . . . they respect anyone who is articulate and they LOVE a good debate. </p>
<p>The whole MICA thing last year was ugly but I'd say Vassar is a lot more intellectually moderate than its reputation bespeaks.</p>