Close to 30 members of the University community gathered Wednesday night at a Psi U forum to address the liberal stigma of the University. A panel made up of students, alumni, and Admission Office employees shared personal experiences and answered questions pertaining to the perceived liberal environment.
Michael Goodwine ’06 opened the discussion by bringing up an article in U.S. World and News that cited Wesleyan as the most unsuitable University for Evangelical Christians. He then turned the discussion over to the panel. Phil Cortes ’06, a conservative student was the first panel member to speak.
“Wesleyan doesn’t quite live up to its goals,” Cortes said. “Argument and discussion are the two most lacking elements here, and the classrooms are not welcome places for ideals that differ from the liberal Wesleyan norm.”
Cortes explained that a school with a liberal reputation draws mostly liberal applicants. He went on to discuss what he described as a homogenous social and political atmosphere, comparing Wesleyan to the university satirized in the movie PCU, where the community was “remarkably self-absorbed and intolerant.”
Cortes contested that the level of political correctness and liberalism at Wesleyan has turned into censorship of the right wing. Speaking out in favor of the war or against abortion or gay marriage is not accepted.
“Wesleyan has become the whipping boy for political correctness run amuck,” said Jon Pierowicz’07.
Ashley Williams ’08, another student member of the panel, shared her experience of joining the all-women hockey club before deciding to join the men’s team in order to play at a higher level. Many of her former teammates did not understand her decision to join the men.
“My first goal was not a feminist one,” Williams said. “My goal was to have fun while playing hockey.”
Williams explained that many liberal groups have a closed-minded attitude that people are either with them or against them.
“It’s difficult to be liberal in a different or new way at Wesleyan,” she said.
Ralph Stern ’08 pointed out that there are many different types of diversity, and Wesleyan seems to be promoting some kinds over others. Though Stern identifies himself as a liberal, he feels that there are few students who voice conservative political views.
“It’s not that these people don’t exist, but they are not comfortable sharing their views,” Stern said. “There is a very thin line between acceptance and oppression, which is what is going on now.”
Some of those present were skeptical of the entire forum due to the fact that the majority of those in attendance were white males, which is not representative of the University. This sparked a debate on the usefulness of the forum and a discussion on self-segregation.
Assistant Dean of Admission Jason England ’03 commented on the issue, noting that although he is in favor of affirmative action, he has always been against the existence of Malcolm X House. He also shared his views of liberalism on campus.
“Many of the same students that were my classmates will lead conservative lives after Wesleyan,” England said. “I don’t believe that the student body is as liberal as it seems to be, but there is no better place for conservatives to sharpen their arguments.”
Many of those in attendance expressed a need for more discussion on campus that includes conservative views and exchanges of differing opinions.
“I feel the problem on the campus is this debate,” said Matt Franco ’07. “A bunch of people sitting in this room, discussing problems instead of going out and solving them.”
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