Some FCLC classrooms become scenes of intimidation, students say
Corinne Iozzio
Issue date: 11/17/05 Section: Archive Extra
Originally published April 7, 2005
When Colleen Cox, FCLC '07, made the choice to attend Fordham, she says she did so to "find a truly open-minded institution," rather than an Ivy League school or a "right-wing Christian college." She chose in favor of a school she thought would have "a variety of ideas in [its] academic and social life."
Now, Cox, a political conservative who voted for Bush, finds herself in a distinct minority where she often feels "uncomfortable" openly sharing her thoughts in many Lincoln Center classrooms.
To Cox, Fordham seems to have a faculty that is disproportionately liberal, a phenomenon which is the case nationwide, according to a recent survey by The Forum, an online political science journal, that suggests as many as 72 percent of college faculty are left-of-center, and which has raised concern at other institutions across the country.
Casey Farrell, FCLC '05, also politically conservative, encountered a strong bias in a history course. She recalls the professor who "wouldn't let up about Bush," and made comments in which the "Red States" were identified as a separate nation called "Jesusland" and should go off with President George W. Bush, who is "out of touch with the real world."
Citing similar situations that occur largely in political science and history classrooms, many students with conservative viewpoints often feel outnumbered and intimidated in FCLC's more liberal climate.
No actual figures exist to demonstrate the political alignments of Lincoln Center faculty, however according to a list of political contributions posted on the Cardinal Newman Society's Web site, faculty gave $19.460 to the Democrats and $4,000 to the Republicans in 2004.
"I feel that defending myself personally against 20 students and one professor is a challenge I did not feel I should have to take up in order to share my thoughts like the rest of the class," Cox said of one classroom discussion dominated by liberal viewpoints.
When Colleen Cox, FCLC '07, made the choice to attend Fordham, she says she did so to "find a truly open-minded institution," rather than an Ivy League school or a "right-wing Christian college." She chose in favor of a school she thought would have "a variety of ideas in [its] academic and social life."
Now, Cox, a political conservative who voted for Bush, finds herself in a distinct minority where she often feels "uncomfortable" openly sharing her thoughts in many Lincoln Center classrooms.
To Cox, Fordham seems to have a faculty that is disproportionately liberal, a phenomenon which is the case nationwide, according to a recent survey by The Forum, an online political science journal, that suggests as many as 72 percent of college faculty are left-of-center, and which has raised concern at other institutions across the country.
Casey Farrell, FCLC '05, also politically conservative, encountered a strong bias in a history course. She recalls the professor who "wouldn't let up about Bush," and made comments in which the "Red States" were identified as a separate nation called "Jesusland" and should go off with President George W. Bush, who is "out of touch with the real world."
Citing similar situations that occur largely in political science and history classrooms, many students with conservative viewpoints often feel outnumbered and intimidated in FCLC's more liberal climate.
No actual figures exist to demonstrate the political alignments of Lincoln Center faculty, however according to a list of political contributions posted on the Cardinal Newman Society's Web site, faculty gave $19.460 to the Democrats and $4,000 to the Republicans in 2004.
"I feel that defending myself personally against 20 students and one professor is a challenge I did not feel I should have to take up in order to share my thoughts like the rest of the class," Cox said of one classroom discussion dominated by liberal viewpoints.
