Hi, SCEA accepted student here. Absolutely fell in love with Yale the first time I visited. My only concern is whether the political atmosphere is oppressive to dissenting viewpoints. I am pretty socially liberal (on topics like race, sexuality, etc.) but I found the tenor of the student rants to the head of house in 2015 (Halloween) to be obnoxious and contrary to the atmosphere of reasoned—if heated—exchange. To yell at a senior faculty member who obviously was trying to have a true conversation and exchange of ideas was really disappointing and offensive. And the students were sometimes just shouting extravagant claims rather than critiquing the topic itself.
I think all sides of the spectrum—from far left to far right—should be able to speak and debate without being drowned out. Let the power of the argument prevail, not the volume.
I have been told by some current students that discussion in class and out can be an “echo chamber” and that dissenting views apart of the prevailing progressive orthodoxy can be socially punished and that even some people were excluded from senior societies because they are conservative.
Again, I swing left but value free expression as a cornerstone of intellectual growth.
Would any current students care to share their perspectives on whether there is a truly room for politically diverse views? Or are people shunned if they are conservative?
Hope what I have heard is wrong, because Yale is just amazing in almost every respect.
Thank you so much!