It’s not easy being a Republican at Wesleyan. Indeed, just trying to find some to interview required sleuthing. Many students have never met a Republican on campus. Others have heard rumors of their existence, but remain skeptical.
Few and far between, however, they are here. Some campus Republicans happily call Wesleyan their own, even if they’re not always quick to expose their political leanings.
“I don’t feel out of place,” said Lukas B. Snelling ’05, who is President of the currently inactive Wesleyan Republicans. “Rather, I feel I provide a necessary alternative of thought.”
For a school that prides itself on its diversity and acceptance, it is clear that tolerance does not always extend to conservatives.
“I have suffered abuse at the hands of liberals, most notably, my door being vandalized,” Snelling said.
One conservative junior wished to remain anonymous to avoid being singled out for his views.
When this student does tell students about his conservative leanings, he says the responses “generally range from disbelief to thinly veiled resentment.”
Another student said one girl would not let conservatives into her dorm room.
Moderates and the undecided do not always fare better, however.
“I tend to not vote along party lines,” said Tom Volgenan ’08. “I chose to be unaffiliated when I registered because I don’t like to be associated with certain views.”
Volgenan, who is undecided between President Bush and Senator Kerry, says there is not much support for Republicans here.
“There’s a ton of Wesleyan Democrats activity, but there’s not even a registered Republican group,” he said.
As we were talking, students came into the hallway and asked Volgenan, with surprise, if he is a Republican.
With Wesleyan’s reputation as a haven for liberal activism to its supporters, and a school of crazy liberals to its detractors, how exactly did these conservatives end up here?
“I chose Wesleyan for the same reasons as everyone else: a great school with a really good reputation,” Snelling said.
Jon Seiglaub ’06, another Republican, said Wesleyan’s political bent did not influence his decision to come here.
“I liked Wesleyan a lot,” he said. “I would say it’s known [for its liberalism] but I don’t think it’s much different than most other places.”
Sieglaub said he doesn’t look for political arguments here.
“I don’t wear my political arguments on my sleeve,” Sieglaub said. “I don’t dislike or disrespect liberals. Just about all my friends are liberals.”
Sieglaub said he would like to see more conservatives on campus to increase the level of debate.
Snelling said he thinks there will be more conservatives on campus in the future.
“Wesleyan is quickly mainstreaming,” Snelling said. “There are more conservatives here than four years ago. With each new class, the number of conservative kids is increasing.”
Even Betti Packman ’07, President of the Wesleyan Democrats, would like to see more Republicans on campus.
“I miss having a stronger Republican presence on campus,” she said. “In talking to active Democrats at other schools, I’ve seen that such a large part of what they do incorporates the other party. I think that can be really rewarding for the entire Wesleyan community.”
Snelling said the Wesleyan Republicans are still organizing and have yet to receive WSA recognition for this year. He said their mailing list has about 80 people on it.
Both Sieglaub and Snelling said that their years spent at Wesleyan have not swayed them to the left.
“If anything I am more conservative because I have been forced to think about my ideals,” Snelling said.
When I asked students if they knew Republicans, most responses were based in hearsay. The Republicans have become almost mythic. Someone suggested they are all on the crew team. Another said to look at the frats. Still another student thought he heard that a bunch were living on Clark 3.
Celia Reddick ’06, the RA on Clark 3, says that her hall does have Republicans: and she sees this as a positive thing. Reddick noted that at least four individuals on her hall have identified themselves as Republican.
“I’m glad we have a spectrum of political opinions on this hallway,” Reddick said.
While I could not reach any of the Republicans on Clark 3 for comment, one resident of the hall said she was surprised how little discussion and debate she has had with friends, regardless of political affiliation and opinion.
“I would think there would be more political discussions,” said Irina Itriyeva ’08. “It seems like a lot of people here are set in their ways.”
As for Snelling, maybe Wesleyan is a better fit for him than one would think.
“I only date liberal chicks,” he said.
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