kanfly…I agree. Most high school students have only been exposed to one set of views crafted by parents and their community they grew up in. College should not be about refusing to listen to anyone who has different beliefs than you. College is a time of being exposed to others with different life experiences. It’s why top universities spend so much time with a holistic approach to build each class.
Unfortunately most of the students with the academic profile required to get into top 15 universities come from many of the countries least diverse high schools. They have not been exposed to different viewpoints of perspectives. They have not yet understood others “frame of reference” on issues.
So listen to others with different opinions, who have had different life experiences. Engage in friendly debate. You most likely will tweak your own beliefs or at least gain better insight on issues.
I’m really sorry to hear that. Vanderbilt has been high on the list for my daughter, but we’ve been hearing since the Carole Swain thing it’s been taking the unfortunate lurch left, succumbing to the inevitable socialist shout down. Where did you end up going?
@KRA123 I can tell you why at least from a conservative’s point of view. If you are not a well spoken, articulate person, or not an A type personality, and are in a leftist population on campus, you will be shouted down & at times actually feel threatened. I have a son graduating from UAlbany (SUNY), and over 4 years he has seen the climate change to outright hostility, and sits in classes afraid to open his mouth. The one student who did dare to offer opposing views was all but chased from the class. The prof did nothing to stop the beat down, because she’s afraid of being labeled a racist. I’m all for opposing views, but for his sister, I’m not making the same mistake.
@blurryface–my experience is that many (not all!) activists want to shut down debate, convinced as they are that everyone is is wrong/privileged/…ist/etc… As the old saying goes, a fanatic is someone with an opinion that just won’t shut up about it.
As a conservative on Vandy’s campus, I can definitely say that it’s a more liberal student body. There’s a small conservative presence that has been more active in the past than it is currently, but the two political groups (VCR and VCD) do a lot of bipartisan activities and are generally very civil with each other! It’s become a big point in VCR that the conservative voice on campus is kind of muted due to potential for outlash and fear of a lot of liberal students on campus being kind of aggressive, but I haven’t really experienced any outright “hostility,” if you will. Recently, there was a post on Vanderbilt Political Review about how both sides should come together in attempts to foster more open discussion about differences in political opinion (http://vanderbiltpoliticalreview.com/rebranding-the-elephant-in-the-room/) which was pretty well received, at least by myself and my friends.
Hope this answers your question!