terpfan1980 terpfan1980

Who says Colleges and Universities are not liberal biased

Who says Colleges and Universities are not liberal biased

From The Washington Post, Style Section. If the Post said it, it must be true.


College Faculties A Most Liberal Lot, Study Finds


By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 29, 2005; Page C01




College faculties, long assumed to be a liberal bastion, lean further to the left than even the most conspiratorial conservatives might have imagined, a new study says.
By their own description, 72 percent of those teaching at American universities and colleges are liberal and 15 percent are conservative, says the study being published this week. The imbalance is almost as striking in partisan terms, with 50 percent of the faculty members surveyed identifying themselves as Democrats and 11 percent as Republicans.
The disparity is even more pronounced at the most elite schools, where, according to the study, 87 percent of faculty are liberal and 13 percent are conservative.

"What's most striking is how few conservatives there are in any field," said Robert Lichter, a professor at George Mason University and a co-author of the study. "There was no field we studied in which there were more conservatives than liberals or more Republicans than Democrats. It's a very homogenous environment, not just in the places you'd expect to be dominated by liberals."
Religious services take a back seat for many faculty members, with 51 percent saying they rarely or never attend church or synagogue and 31 percent calling themselves regular churchgoers. On the gender front, 72 percent of the full-time faculty are male and 28 percent female.
The findings, by Lichter and fellow political science professors Stanley Rothman of Smith College and Neil Nevitte of the University of Toronto, are based on a survey of 1,643 full-time faculty at 183 four-year schools. The researchers relied on 1999 data from the North American Academic Study Survey, the most recent comprehensive data available.
The study appears in the March issue of the Forum, an online political science journal. It was funded by the Randolph Foundation, a right-leaning group that has given grants to such conservative organizations as the Independent Women's Forum and Americans for Tax Reform.
Rothman sees the findings as evidence of "possible discrimination" against conservatives in hiring and promotion. Even after factoring in levels of achievement, as measured by published work and organization memberships, "the most likely conclusion" is that "being conservative counts against you," he said. "It doesn't surprise me, because I've observed it happening." The study, however, describes this finding as "preliminary."



... more at linked article

I note that in reading through the article, the article writer had to take time to point out that the study was funded by "a right leaning group", which obviously means that the study must be flawed and can't be accurate. As usual, the Post is up to their normal level of trying to be biased without actually acknowledging that they are. At least most of the people that answered the survey willingly admit to their own biases. Gotta love the main stream media.
11,247 views 44 replies
Reply #26 Top
The tragedy of it all is, we aren't taught critical thinking until college. So what good are those 4 years of high school? ;~D


You need a foundation in order to reach the level of being able to think critically. That is the purpose of High school.
Reply #27 Top
no one with 1/2 a brain would say our schools of higher learning are anything BUT LEFT leaning.


Yes, but the problem is that the Left has also permeated the public schools with their stench, too, so the kids are being fed liberal ideals from Kindergarten through Their Senior year in college and later.
The liberals have done their damndest in the last 3 deacades to damage the American system of education, and, as I said on another thread, American kids now score lower in aptitude tests than kids from other countries.
History (I know a fifth grader who couldn't identify George Washington), math and science especially.
Reply #28 Top
Sadly High School is turning more into 8-hr daycare to keep kids off the streets, out of their parents hair or out of the workforce. High School was a joke where I grew up (and my high school is considered an excellent one by public school standards). I came into college without the basic foundation of knowledge I felt I needed. My 4 years of HS skipped over items like how to write a paper, how to spell, propper grammar (I never learned this one sadly, they even skipped it in college).

The buck keeps getting passed to the next level of education. Originally HS was supposed to equip you for dealing with the world, or College if that's what you wanted to do. Now it's up to Universities to prepare you for life, or a graduate degree if that's what you want to do. How long before a Masters is the lowest level of schooling you need to be capable of surviving in the outside world?
Reply #29 Top
How long before a Masters is the lowest level of schooling you need to be capable of surviving in the outside world?


You know what's really sad? Before we let the Left take over the running of the schools and reworking everything, we had one of the best school systems in the world. One of the worst things ehy did was to take discipline out of the hands of the teachers, which they progressively did over the course of the 70s-90s. The result is that noone pays attention anymore, and teachers get no respect from their students, many of whom think it's cool to tell them off. They can't do anything but send them to the principal, who in turn can't do anything, either. It's sad.
Then you get people like principal Joe Clark, who managed to instill a strong sense of discipline and order (which resulted in a resurgence of school pride and spirit, and also, I might add, in higher grades among the whole student body) in his school, and brought it up out of the sad condition it was in. But he was met with such resistance along the way by the liberal school board and many parents groups that it's surprising he even bothered.
Reply #30 Top
The issue of softening educational standards, I think, lies almost entirely with our touchy-feely attitude that we can't hurt anyones self-esteem. We can't give "F" grades because that means failure and it hurts little Johnny's feelings. Well, guess what? JOHNNY FAILED! He failed to master the material even at the lowest level (you just have to remember 60% of everything you're told... not that hard), hence he failed the subject.

Some schools are getting rid of grades completely, moving to a check minus, check, check plus system that aren't descriptive at all. With no fear of failing, there's also less drive to succeed. Why bust your butt to get that check plus when you can sit on your ass and get that standard check? Cause you know they'd do it on standard bell curve with the lower 20% being check minus, the top 20% being check plus, leaving the other 60% to the middle. So now you only have to master 21% of the material to "pass".

I'll leave the blame on this one to the far left in their eternal quest to make absolutely everything equal. To them there's no such thing as being smarter, dumber, stronger, weaker, faster, slower, taller or shorter than anyone else. Well guess what? Some kids are dumb. Some kids are destined to become janitors, or McDonalds workers, others are destined to become doctors, astronauts, executives etc... Am I smarter than the guy who works at the convenience store and can't string together a coherent sentence or tell me where on the map Iraq is? Eh, maybe not... he may be a mass of untapped potential. But chances are I am smarter than he is... or at the very least I work harder than he does (as I have a High School diploma and he does not... not to mention a college degree).

I am smarter than some people, dumber than others. I almost failed statistics in college, while my friend aced it. At the same time I schooled him in calculus. If the far left had its way, we'd all get a pat on the back and averaged grades because we're all just as good. I admit I'm a statistics moron, it's like greek to me. It doesn't hurt my self-esteem. In fact having the distinction of what I'm good at (computers) and what I'm not (a great many things) has allowed me to better define myself. I feel better about myself as a result because I *know* where my strengths and weaknesses lie. This is what our education system right now is trying to eliminate.
Reply #31 Top
You need a foundation in order to reach the level of being able to think critically. That is the purpose of High school.


Sadly High School is turning more into 8-hr daycare to keep kids off the streets, out of their parents hair or out of the workforce. High School was a joke where I grew up (and my high school is considered an excellent one by public school standards).


You know what's really sad? Before we let the Left take over the running of the schools and reworking everything, we had one of the best school systems in the world.


Amen to these statements!!

For anyone who questions this, I have one question...

If our High Schools are doing their job, why must our colleges offer so many High School level, remedial classes?
Reply #32 Top
The issue of softening educational standards, I think, lies almost entirely with our touchy-feely attitude that we can't hurt anyones self-esteem. We can't give "F" grades because that means failure and it hurts little Johnny's feelings. Well, guess what? JOHNNY FAILED! He failed to master the material even at the lowest level (you just have to remember 60% of everything you're told... not that hard), hence he failed the subject.

Some schools are getting rid of grades completely, moving to a check minus, check, check plus system that aren't descriptive at all. With no fear of failing, there's also less drive to succeed. Why bust your butt to get that check plus when you can sit on your ass and get that standard check? Cause you know they'd do it on standard bell curve with the lower 20% being check minus, the top 20% being check plus, leaving the other 60% to the middle. So now you only have to master 21% of the material to "pass".

I'll leave the blame on this one to the far left in their eternal quest to make absolutely everything equal. To them there's no such thing as being smarter, dumber, stronger, weaker, faster, slower, taller or shorter than anyone else. Well guess what? Some kids are dumb. Some kids are destined to become janitors, or McDonalds workers, others are destined to become doctors, astronauts, executives etc... Am I smarter than the guy who works at the convenience store and can't string together a coherent sentence or tell me where on the map Iraq is? Eh, maybe not... he may be a mass of untapped potential. But chances are I am smarter than he is... or at the very least I work harder than he does (as I have a High School diploma and he does not... not to mention a college degree).

I am smarter than some people, dumber than others. I almost failed statistics in college, while my friend aced it. At the same time I schooled him in calculus. If the far left had its way, we'd all get a pat on the back and averaged grades because we're all just as good. I admit I'm a statistics moron, it's like greek to me. It doesn't hurt my self-esteem. In fact having the distinction of what I'm good at (computers) and what I'm not (a great many things) has allowed me to better define myself. I feel better about myself as a result because I *know* where my strengths and weaknesses lie. This is what our education system right now is trying to eliminate.
---Zoomba

YES! This is exactly what I've been wanting to say, but couldn't get down to it! You must be smarter than me!
Damn, my self-esteem just took a hit.

Reply #33 Top
You do know you just admitted a registered Democrat was smarter than you LOL!
Reply #34 Top
A TRUE liberal would show both sides of an equation.... not one side as many liberals today do.
Reply #35 Top
You do know you just admitted a registered Democrat was smarter than you LOL!


Okay, but seeing as I'm a conservative, I don't have a problem admitting when I'm wrong or have been bested in a fight. It's the libs who can't give it up.
Reply #36 Top

When one sees the almost cartoon-level knowledge of conservative ideology that many college students or recent college graduates have, that demonstrates just how biased our colleges are.

Many college students get programmed that conservatives are a bunch of bible thumping, environment hating, gun toting nuts.  Which is no more true than saying liberals are a bunch of abortion loving, terrorist sympathizing, tree hugging cowards.

When I was at college, I saw first hand conservative views trivialized by professors.  I saw history teachers that warped what happened to fit their agenda.  But the main area of liberal ideology I saw pushed was socialism and the concept that capitalism was somehow "bad".

There's nothing "liberal" about faculty liberaism. It's closer to fascism -- correct thoughts and a world controlled by a small group of elite "wise" people.

Reply #37 Top
When I was at college, I saw first hand conservative views trivialized by professors. I saw history teachers that warped what happened to fit their agenda.


I've seen this kind of stuff, too. Hell, I mean, we see it here all the time. It's sad; they don't even realize they're doing it. Or dooooo they?
Reply #38 Top
How to stretch a buck. How to feed a family on very little money a year.


BS. I have yet to meet ONE college professor who could successfully manage a family of seven on less than $20G a year without relying on government assistance. And yet, I know of many, many families that do just that.
Reply #39 Top
Which is no more true than saying liberals are a bunch of abortion loving, terrorist sympathizing, tree hugging cowards.


They are not?
Reply #40 Top
BS. I have yet to meet ONE college professor who could successfully manage a family of seven on less than $20G a year without relying on government assistance. And yet, I know of many, many families that do just that.


Not all teachers teach in a college setting. My parents are both public school teachers and just had to pay $1200 in taxes. They know how to stetch very little to feed a family and did not use welfare to make up for it. Until you've known a mother cry because she can't afford something for her children, until you've known someone who scrapes pennies to afford school supplies I suggest you shut your mouth. So maybe, before you make assumptions, you should look at the facts.

I have suggestions for some of you people. Stay out of college. Home school your children. If you don't like the way things are run, then start your own schools. Don't take "Liberal Arts" classes. If your kids aren't learning, teach them yourselves. Of course, if teachers weren't required to "teach the test" because of constant testing pushed on students by republicans, maybe they could teach your students how to think critically.

Oh, and every culture warps history to fit their agenda. I met a foreign exchange student from Germany who looked me in the eye and said no Jews were killed during WWII.
Reply #41 Top
Final reply to Eastern Diamondback:
'Where exactly did I accuse you of using the word intelligence? Please, quote me. I never said you said any of this, and - I repeat - I never said you mentioned 'intelligence'. Once again, you create a completely fictitious argument, assign it to me and then - hurrah! - you attempt to knock it down. Well done you.'
1. Your first reply: 'More like intense detachment from reality, as you've just demonstrated. Colleges and universities provide credentials, not knowledge or intelligence.'
2. Your 2nd reply: 'My comment was addressed to all who read what you said; those who believe like you, or those who may come to erroneous conclusion that left-wing ideology is correct because academics are intelligent, and these intelligent people are left-wingers.'
And as for firing my criticism back at me despite this evidence, well - what can I say? It's too sad for words. You're right - education DID let you down. LOL
Reply #42 Top
'More like intense detachment from reality, as you've just demonstrated. Colleges and universities provide credentials, not knowledge or intelligence.'


1. Like I thought...nothing there that qualifies your contention that I attributed the use of the word "intelligence" to you. I suppose I could have said "knowledge or intelligence or wisdom or intuitiveness or awareness" but silly ol' me just assumed I had made a point when stopping at the first two.

2. It's a corollary of intelligence to possess knowledge. By virtue of your knowledge reference you implicitly recognize intelligence as relevant to the discussion at hand. And perhaps in your remote corner of the world like doesn't mean similar to, but in the rest of the English-speaking world it does.

3. If you're going to be smug, you should at least try to be right.
Reply #43 Top
Yes, schools have a strong liberal bias. Well, from what I've experienced, upper management in companies (both large and small) tend to have a strong conservative bias. I know if I voice my left-leaning opinions to my bosses, it will negatively affect my standing here. Should I rail against "The Man" because I'm now in the unfair position of having to surpress my thoughts and opinions? 4 years of school versus 40 years in the workforce... which side gets the worse deal?


If universities are supposed to be like corporations and vice versa, then yes. Otherwise, you really can't compare the two.
Reply #44 Top
'If universities are supposed to be like corporations and vice versa, then yes. Otherwise, you really can't compare the two.'

Excellent point EJ, and the crux of this whole argument I think. Accept that they are two different animals that cannot be meaningfully compared, and the very notion of 'bias' starts to drift out of the window. Bias implies a move away from some notion of a 'centre', but there is no single centre here. Universities by their nature have a more liberal centre, corporations a more conservative one - end of story.