Fair enough,. I have a D at Amherst and she tells me that it is not as simple as that.
I suspect that it has more to do with the particular issue. If you want to discuss fiscal or foreign policy from a conservative point of view, I bet the discussion will be just fine. She has experienced those types of discussions in her economics class and with her classmates outside of class.
However, if you want to dispute gay rights, bash immigrants or assert moral arguments based on biblical literalism, I bet you will be shut down pretty fast. In other words, the traditional Bob Dole/John McCain strains of conservatism are not regarded in the same light as the currently ascendant Donald Trump and Jerry Falwell strains of conservatism.
Of course, I’m sure it looks different from your point of view.