<p>Just wondering if anyone might know if all political views are accepted on campus from both students and faculty. I know Amherst leans heavily left. But I would like to know if someone with a more conservative point of view would be tolerated on campus. Would it serve the student well if he kept his conservative views to himself? Thanks.</p>
<p>One of my best friends voted for McCain and no one stoned him.</p>
<p>While you probably won't get stoned for voicing your opinions, you will be mocked, either openly or behind your back. I'm not sure about the faculty, but the Amherst student body as a whole is incredibly intolerant of conservatives, although groups like the College Republicans are fairly active. It's pretty sad, but at Amherst you would be much better off keeping conservative views quiet. That being said, people don't really get mad at others for holding those views, just for expressing them publicly.</p>
<p>katbenc, that's what I also heard. A friend of mine who attended Amherst told me that some futile attempts have been made in the past to bring conservatives to campus to speak. Most attempts have failed. I While I wouldn't call myself a far right-wing conservative...I do lean ever so slightly to the right. Oh Well!</p>
<p>The campus definitely skews liberal, but conservatives are pretty vocal and conservative speakers are brought to campus and are respectfully received by the students (can't say the same for the Amherst townspeople though). Amherst students and faculty are tolerant of conservative views, but may debate and discuss them with you.</p>
<p>Amherst has a group called the committee on the American Founding that brings conservatives to campus on a regular basis to give lectures and participate in collquia. John Bolton spoke here last year as part of this program, and Antonin Scalia spoke a few years ago.</p>
<p>Non liberals, or those who just stick up for the less then knee jerk left will be abused constantly.</p>
<p>The level of intolerance displayed by liberal dems in the Pioneer Valley is truly amazing. Total intolerance to any dissenting or alternate point of view.</p>
<p>It depends what you mean by "conservative". Economic conservatism (free trade, less government regulation, lower taxes) is well-tolerated, even if they aren't the majority viewpoint. Social conservatism less so, although there is a pretty vocal anti-abortion group. If, however, you are of the viewpoint that homosexuals are sinners that will burn in hell, you would do well to keep that for yourself.</p>
<p>Compared to the rest of the valley, though, Amherst is downright reactionary. The antics of townies whenever conservative speakers are brought to campus are well-known. Some guy came to the John Bolton talk last year with his hands painted red shouting "blood on your hands!".</p>
<p>Thanks for all the feedback. It was helpful. I guess for me, I would like a campus to allow discussion without taking what a person says personally. I am more fiscally conservative and less so on social issues, but I do enjoy hearing all sides to issues. I come from a high school that has a fairly high number of gay/lesbian students and everyone gets along very well. As a moderate conservative I am tolerant of everyone and to everyone's point of view. The only thing that I have a difficult time with is when people purposely shout down speakers or do not care to debate issues. I don't like it when conservatives do it nor do I like it when liberals do it. Whether you agree with John Bolton or not...allow him to speak, then debate him on the merits of his presentation.</p>
<p>Speak your mind, irrespective of the consequences.</p>
<p>If you're well educated in your political views and capable of holding your own in debate, I think Amherst would be lucky to have you.</p>
<p>i think it does depend on how conservative you are.</p>