<p>Can socially conservative student fit/"survive" at Swarthmore?
Are students at Swarthmore tolerant to conservative points of views?
Please be honest.</p>
<p>There are conservative students at Swarthmore, alive and well (though they are in the minority). They even have a club:</p>
<p>
[quote]
College Republicans</p>
<p>College Republicans exist to create a support network for Republican and conservative students on campus who are committed to values such as liberty, limited government, strong national defense, states' rights, individual responsibility, free market forces, and other Republican ideals. The group connects to larger Republican organizations such as the Borough of Swarthmore Republicans, College Republicans National Committee, or Intercollegiate Studies Institute for both volunteer and networking purposes.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>25 years ago youd be in trouble, but today,
if youre a career driven conservative, into
to heavy competition and making a big buck,
youd probably fit right in. but no racist or
gay bashing remarks, theyre sensitive to that
crap.</p>
<p>What would you consider "socially conservative"?
Vocally against abortion rights, against gay parents adopting children?
I think a politically conservative student would have more company at Swarthmore than a socially conservative student.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Vocally against abortion rights, against gay parents adopting children?
[/quote]
If this is on your agenda, you'll probably be better off elsewhere.</p>
<p>Here are some of the student groups that could be of interest to a more conservative student. Personally, I think that all viewpoints need to be represented and respected at Swarthmore, and that it would be great to have conservatives more represented. Try Davidson, however, or other southern schools where conservatives are more prevalent if you want more of a representation. There's one in South Carolina that seemed very good, can't remember the name.
link to student activities:
<a href="http://www.swarthmore.edu/studentactivities.xml%5B/url%5D">http://www.swarthmore.edu/studentactivities.xml</a></p>
<p>Swarthmore Students Supporting Life
Advocates for alternatives to abortion, the death penalty, and other practices that take lives.
Swarthmore Students Supporting Life (SSSL)</p>
<p>SSSL urges society to find and implement alternatives to abortion, the death penalty, euthanasia, and other practices that take lives. SSSL has two purposes: education of and dialogue with the Swarthmore community, and volunteer work that alleviates the social and economic pressures that often push women to abortion. Pro-life students have historically been a minority on the Swarthmore campus and SSSL works to make their voice heard.</p>
<p>Swarthmore Christian Fellowship (SCF)</p>
<p>Swarthmore Christian Fellowship is a chapter of the interdenominational Christian ministry InterVarsity. We welcome everyone, from the life-long churchgoer to the curious skeptic, to attend any of our events, which range from whole group meetings (Fridays at 7pm in Kohlberg 115) to weekly Bible studies (in smaller, more intimate settings) to weekly prayer meetings to weekends away from Swat spent relaxing and learning more about God. We seek to encourage the growth of Christians at Swarthmore, as well as to provide the campus as a whole with a way to explore Christianity in a comfortable and loving environment. more</p>
<p>Swarthmore Protestant Community</p>
<p>The Swarthmore Protestant Community is a nondenominational group of seekers rooted in the Christian tradition who support one another in worship, reflection, and spiritual growth. The Swarthmore Protestant Community strives to create a safe space where questions are welcome and individual differences in faith are respected. It is associated with the Protestant Campus Minister and supported by Partners in Ministry, an alliance of area churches.</p>
<p>Catholic Newman Community</p>
<p>Newman at Swarthmore provides the liturgical, spiritual, and educational resources of the Catholic Church to Swarthmore students, faculty, administration, and staff. The celebration of the Eucharist on Sundays, mid-week, and special occasions such as Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, and the graduation Baccalaureate makes present the central mystery of the Catholic faith. Opportunities for the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation are frequently available. Theology and scripture study groups meet regularly, in addition to an annual Tri-Co Newman retreat. Special programs, speakers, and social events are provided as student interest and need direct. Rev. Edward A. Windhaus is the Newman Chaplain. All contact information and schedules along with important Catholic educational and support links can be found at the Tri-Co Newman Website.</p>
<p>^^^^^
SCF and Newman are both fairly conservative. SPC, however, is sometimes said to stand for Swarthmore Progressive Christians...it's not exactly a conservative group of any sort. </p>
<p>That said, SCF is big, and fairly moderate/conservative in general.</p>
<p>Please please please come!!!</p>
<p>Political diversity is super important.</p>
<p>I'd expect you would have to be tolerant of a lot of political discussion, however.</p>
<p>There are very conservative folks at Swarthmore (I'm friends with a young-earth creationist) and they seem to get along. I think there are commonly accepted boundaries though—publicly attacking the queer community, for example, will rile a lot of feathers (to put it mildly). And apparently an RA who expressed that kind of feeling earlier this year to a freshman has not been invited back to the position. But the worst that would happen is a few folks give you a cold shoulder. <em>shrugs</em></p>
<p>I am never sure what people mean when they say "socially conservative"</p>
<p>
[quote]
Can socially conservative student fit/"survive" at Swarthmore?
Are students at Swarthmore tolerant to conservative points of views?
Please be honest.
[/quote]
In all honesty, you can definitely find a better fit. The entire culture of the campus is very left-leaning, from the professors, to the students, to the administration. Conservatives are certainly tolerated, but not always respected, especially if they are vocally conservative. I imagine a conservative at Swarthmore must either be very low-key about it, or have a very thick skin. Either way, he will likely find himself frequently annoyed at the left-wing attitudes he encounters.</p>
<p>where else are you considering? Perhaps others here can give some suggestions based upon your choices.</p>
<p>Thanks.
Looks like Haverford is a better place for conservative student. It seems like at Haverford everyone's voice is heard and point of view respected.
I am considering Carleton as well, but leaning toward attending Haverford.</p>
<p>neither haverford nor carleton are particularly more conservative than swat. There are plenty of fiscally conservative students at swat, and even some socially conservative students (many are catholic). I would agree that if would find it difficult to live with someone of a different sexual orientation then swat would not be a good school for you, but probably haverford and carleton wouldn't either.</p>
<p>
[quote]
It seems like at Haverford everyone's voice is heard and point of view respected.
[/quote]
Some points of view will not be respected at any of the schools in question.</p>
<p>
[quote]
this year, the debate reached a fever pitch, with about 150 students filling the pews of the Swarthmore Friends Meetinghouse Thursday to debate the merits of the chalkings. The messages and images scrawled around the sidewalks have inspired “counter-chalkings,” passionate dialogue in the pages of the student newspaper and even a Facebook group, “I Have an Opinion About the Coming-Out Week Chalkings,” with 43 members and 123 postings as of Monday afternoon.
...</p>
<p>Yet, Elliot Ratzman, a visiting professor of religion who helped lead Thursday’s discussion in the meetinghouse , said he was impressed that students primarily focused on whether the chalkings were an effective tool to best express the gay student groups’ message. “I noted at one point that 15 years ago, a school couldn’t have this conversation because the sides would have been too hostile toward each other. Now it was simply an argument about tactics instead of the merits of Coming Out Week which is, I think, neat.”
[/quote]
</p>
<p>As you can see from the article you've posted, everyone's voice was heard, and point of view respected...</p>
<p>Haverford is no less left-leaning than Swarthmore. Although it has a very cooperative atmosphere (Quaker, like Swat) the campus itself is a very, very progressive place. You would have to be prepared to defend your views at either institution, although you would probably find more kindred spirits at Swat.</p>
<p>I agree that you'd find more kindred spirits at Swat however I think by virtue of the Honor Code, your views would be treated with respect at Haverford.</p>
<p>Why not consider a place with friendly,kindred spirits-Washington & Lee,Davidson,Hampden-Sydney.</p>