I know this topic is frequently discussed, but it’s one of my major worries about attending Vassar. I was accepting to Vassar today and I love so much about it. The beautiful campus, fantastic academics, the house system, etc. However, I have to admit that my main hesitation to attend is the political scene on campus. I’m socially liberal/libertarian across the board, but more fiscally centrist/traditionally liberal. Though I don’t think I’d personally run into issues, I fear that the students and the college tries to suppress conservative and even moderate voices on campus. This is gathered mainly through articles I’ve read about events that have occurred on campus. I also might major in Political Science, so I know politics would be a large part of my experience at Vassar. I just want all views and perspectives to be considered; I take issue with people who aren’t even willing to listen to another side’s arguments. Of course people will be like this at every college, but I do worry about the prevalence of this kind of behavior at Vassar. Any input, especially from current students or Vassar alum, would be appreciated.
Congratulations on your acceptance! I have no recent knowledge about Vassar, but perhaps you are just the type of student that Vassar needs. Not that it your job to be the voice of reason, but your willingness to consider all viewpoints could contribute to making Vassar a more welcoming community for people who might otherwise feel shutout.
Congratulations! Go and enjoy! You will fit right in! I think you actually described most of the campus. I know that my son who is currently at Vassar is also socially liberal and fiscally conservative; he is very happy. It is true that homophobic or racist views will be (loudly) shot down, and that most of the campus is pro-gun control, but other (financial/ etc.) views will not only be tolerated but welcome and common. Truthfully, I am not sure what you have read, but Vassar works hard to welcome all ideas (save racism, homophobia, misogyny etc). You will meet men and women who have served our country valiantly (Posse program), and men and women from every financial background. You will be surrounded by people of all colors, religions, and countries. There will be debates, but you will have a rich experience and your voice will be listened to. I can’t speak for pre-2017 (my son is a freshman) but I feel confident saying this now. I hope if you do go, you check back into CC. There are not a lot of current Vassar voices on here; I like to think that they are too busy studying and having fun.
Politicical differences/discussions are part of what makes college interesting. Enjoy! It’s a great school!
Vassar’s politics are much more similar to other elite northeastern colleges like Williams and Amherst. Lots of centrists, conservatives, and traditional mainstream Democrats. Sure there are a handful of Bernie Sanders-style types, as there would be at any college, but not nearly as many as you’d find as lower-level schools like Oberlin or Hampshire. Vassar isn’t like that.
Hmm. I would not call Oberlin or Hampshire in any way “lower-level”…
@daniel212 You seem to enjoy college-bashing other schools when praising Vassar; this is a bit of a turn-off. I hope people don’t think that your view is indicative of the rest of the Vassar student body!
My daughter is a freshman at Vassar and is enjoying her experience. She will likely take a lot of political science classes and has liked getting politically active on campus. I think she finds the atmosphere similar to what @sixkids6 described above.
Thank you all for the responses.
@sixkids6 I read various articles and threads about Vassar’s political scene. One issue that does concern me is the Israel-Palestine conflict (see: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/vassar-college/1652495-vassar-admin-anti-semitic-p1.html). I’m not worried about outward anti-semitism at Vassar, but I do fear that pro-Israel viewpoints may be suppressed by students and/or faculty. The issue is much more nuanced than blatant homophobia or racism, so I’d hope that either the situation has improved since then, or the attitudes of Vassar students and faculty were blown out of proportion. I get the feeling - and I hope - that these people are a loud minority. After seeing the responses and doing some more research it definitely seems less militantly liberal than the common stereotype.
I can’t really help you with this one except to say that this year that has not been a problem (I have not heard anything on this)? Vassar does have a lot of International students who might not be sympathetic to the pro-Israel viewpoint, as well as American students. I think this would be the case at most colleges these days. Hillel International says that 21% of the Vassar population is Jewish. I would suggest that you reach out to the Vassar Jewish Union and actually speak with some Jewish students. I think civility is really (and increasingly) important on campuses (and in the world) and I think that Vassar is definitely trying. Vassar hired a new full-time adviser to Jewish students, Rabbi Rena Blumenthal, and she seems super. There is also a new president, so hopefully the page has turned? Sorry I can’t be of more help. Good luck to you! This will be my last Vassar post! CC is a bit of an addiction (I am a high school teacher at a prep school and find it fascinating) so I am going cold turkey!
@infinitejigsaw - this recent interview with President Bradley might be of interest to you.
https://www.chronicle.com/article/How-Can-a-Progressive-/242999