CONSERVATIVES contend that institutions of higher learning remain one of the last strongholds of the left, and the influence of professors on impressionable students cannot be underestimated. Those entrusted with educating the future generation have a great responsibility to do so in an intellectually honest manner. Conservatives have been making strides in publicizing specific incidents of campus bias, but not all of the tactics employed have been strategically masterful. A strong network of individuals dedicated to exposing legitimate examples of bias and advocating for a balanced educational experience, coupled with a serious academic study of bias, is the most effective means of guaranteeing academic integrity in the upper echelons of education.
One such idea proposed by the Bruin Alumni Association founded by a University of California -- Los Angeles alumnus, Andrew Jones, didn't pass muster. He started a program which offered students money (up to $100) in exchange for class notes, lecture materials and recordings of what he believed to be "abusive and one-sided" professors. The premise of his mission was to target specific professors that he thought might be biased, which is a wrongheaded approach.
In an unbiased examination of political bias on college campuses, one would not commence with any preconceived notions about the outcome. As of Jan. 22, the Bruin Alumni association released a statement withdrawing its initial monetary offer after much criticism.
Alternatively, students should be encouraged to report voluntarily incidents of bias in the classroom, which can take various forms, including professors' comments in class, biased grading based on political views and an absence of opposing views in course curricula. In one highly publicized example, John Daly, a professor at Warren County Community College, wrote student Rebecca Beach, who was promoting an event featuring Lt. Col. Scott Rutter, and threatened "to expose [her] right-wing, anti-people politics until groups like [Rebecca's] won't dare show their face on a college campus." The professor eventually resigned and the school president committed to holding tolerance seminars for professors.
Classes taught from an extremely biased perspective serve only as a hindrance to a fulfilling college experience rooted in intellectual stimulation and discovery. Some will counter that professors' freedom of speech will be curtailed if they must present all sides of an issue, which is completely ridiculous. It blindly ignores a student's right to an unprejudiced learning environment, as well as his right to express his own views that may oppose a certain professor's opinions.
A student's college career is one of the few stages in life devoted almost entirely to developing the mind in an engaging, thought-provoking setting where all views are welcomed and contested. Students should be presented with views from a wide range of perspectives, debate each of their strengths and weaknesses and have their arguments challenged. This forces everyone to learn how to debate effectively, articulate opinions succinctly and defend positions substantively. Intellectual diversity is a key component in ensuring a comprehensive, fair and rigorous education. Students from any philosophical group should not be ridiculed in order to gain critical analysis skills, as well as a sense of the reasoning behind various ideological identities.
However, the individual anecdotes of academic bias, while helpful in proving a point to an extent, don't establish a pandemic of bias that has infected every classroom. Political scientists analyze data sets to reach conclusions; anecdotes never replace serious scientific investigation. To this end, a 2004 survey funded by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni polled students, the majority of which majored in non-political subjects, such as biology, psychology and engineering, and found that 49 percent of students at the top 50 colleges "say professors frequently inject political comments into their courses." Further research, particularly of political courses, could serve to bolster these findings.
One such study is currently underway at George Mason University. Four professors were given a $100,000 grant with a goal of looking at three areas: "first, bias in the classroom setting... Second, bias in the campus climate... Third, bias in hiring and promotion." Surveyors are visiting colleges across the country and seeking input from a diverse sample of students, as well as scrutinizing course curricula and employment trends.
As we await the results, one should realize that painting a generalized picture of oppressive liberalism at America's colleges is biased in itself, as well as a hindrance to remedying the situation. There is no doubt that a certain degree of bias exists in academia. It appears that in a disproportionate number of cases, the bias is coming from the left. Documenting legitimate cases of bias in a meticulous manner, fighting for a fair representation of all political views, as well as supporting scientific studies of academic bias is the most sensible and valuable way to counter partiality and indoctrination in learning institutions.
Whitney Blake's column appears Thursdays in The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at wblake@cavalierdaily.com.
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