??? @gearmom
@redpoodles That was for post #17
Those stats have been posted on CC in the past. Nothing new.
But why did you post it saying “Not even close?”
I’m not pointing at you in particular but the information. Can’t the girls have privacy? Why does this information need to be gathered? Why does everyone have to be categorized?
From what I gather, a large group of LGBTQ students on the Smith campus are looking for anything but privacy; in fact, one might think just the opposite.
Smith students conducted the survey, which is very accurate. Ask them.
Excellent observation!
@CrewDad I think that says all I need to know about Smith. More interested in places that promote tolerance and diversity.
Wow, you garnered the ethos of Smith from the fact a government class conducted a survey? What was that about tolerance?
Not from the survey but from the parents and student reviews here.
Again, you’re going to profess that you understand the ethos of a college from the opinion of a few parents and a student who has made one post? For all you know, Junebug could be a student who is extremely agitated because she was rejected.
If so many students are miserable at Smith, why is the first-year retention rate so high? Miserable students transfer. No matter, critical reasoning isn’t everyone’s strong suit. 
The fact that the Smith students conducted the survey which the school would not conduct reinforces the anecdotal evidence of posters who I have known for some time. Do you know a good reason the survey was conducted or personal experience that illustrates tolerance at Smith?
@crewdad And I never said that the students are miserable. Critical reading is not everyone’s strong suit What I said is that I have no interest in the school. Doesn’t really matter since I only have boys. But I was hoping that @NePatsGirl’s daughter would settle in at an awesome school and that she would not be miserable and as NePatsGirl said, ALOT of food for thought.
How is a survey conducted by gov class under the supervision of a tenured professor not considered “the school?”
@CrewDad It was mentioned early that the administration would not conduct the survey. Anyway if you have any knowledge which can cast a different light on the school you could share it at any point.
Nor should they.
I know the past president of the Republican Club, its members, and a number of their friends, who consisted of gays, Democrats, Socialists, etc. Many were in my house. A friend of the past pres of the R club is transgendered. If Smith students are so intolerant, it stands to reason that the life of vocal Republicans, and those who associate with them, would be made miserable. Nothing could be further from the truth. All loved their years at Smith. I interact daily with current Smith students. I’ve never once heard a student complain they were ostracized because they were straight. Are there students who are very vocal and opinionated? You bet. And, as at all colleges, there are students who can be cruel, but they’re an outlier.
If you want to charge a school with intolerance, pick on Vassar. No Republican Club there. 
My youngest daughter attends Vassar. Trust me, Smithies are rookies when it pertains to controversies and kerfuffles. 
I appreciate everyone’s input (although this topic is not one I was looking to delve into in this thread lol). I agree that some of the posts are troubling but I’m having a hard time rationalizing those views with the retention and graduation rates.
I think CrewDad was spot on. If a student is unhappy, being bullied, or afraid for their safety or that of their friends, transferring is an option and it doesn’t appear that happens often. Do I want my D to go to a school where those things are prevalent? Absolutely not. I do recognize that there is bullying, intolerance and prejudice happening at all campuses, as there is drinking and drugging, so I think it is imperative to find out to what extent.
I think Skidmore is a great college. I live fairly close and Saratoga is such a nice community.
Thank you Goldenwillow 
@CrewDad I really disagree with the idea that a high freshman retention rate absolves a school of allowing this kind of environment (if it is true which I’m not saying it is because I have no experience with Smith).
If it was another scenario, e.g. non-white, non-straight students being bullied for the color of their skin or their sexual orientation, the “you can always transfer” answer would not be acceptable. The answer would likely be a federal civil rights investigation.
If these experiences reflect reality at all, it sounds like straight up intolerance to me.