Business Journal Op-Ed

Academic Bill of Rights

Several North Carolina Republican lawmakers have proposed an “Academic Bill of Rights” for the University of North Carolina system prohibiting discrimination against students on the basis of their political, ideological or religious beliefs. Presumably this act, if it became law, would protect conservative students’ rights to express their views at the state’s public universities.

Coincidental to this and similar political initiatives underway nationally, a recent survey of 1,643 faculty at 183 four-year schools indicates that 72 percent describe themselves as liberal and 15 percent, as conservative. Conversely, a 2004 Harris Poll found 18 percent of the general public describe themselves as liberal and 33 percent, as conservative.

Popular impressions of campus liberalism were spotlighted in recent weeks when William Kristol was hit in the face by an ice cream pie during a U.S. foreign policy speech at Earlham College (Ind.) and Pat Buchanan was doused with salad dressing during an appearance at Western Michigan University. Both are conservative pundits.

Are our campuses more liberal than ever, and it is safe for conservatives to offer their opinions without fear of reprisal?

I think even the terms “conservative” and “liberal” oversimplify the diversity of opinion in society today. Most people fall somewhere in the middle of a broad spectrum that also includes moderates and the indifferent. They are often more liberal on some issues and conservative on others. Many colleagues describe themselves as “economic conservatives” in terms of taxes and spending and at the same time “social liberals” on civil rights and privacy rights.

Nevertheless, in my higher education experience, dating to the ’60s, faculty have leaned liberal politically in response to a variety of public policy issues including the Vietnam War. I find more liberals in the humanities and social sciences (literature, philosophy, religious studies, and my own field of political science) in that those disciplines often attract faculty with “progressive” viewpoints.

But what’s really at stake here? Are personal, liberal views of some faculty members persuading college students to change their views? Not by my current administrative and teaching experience. Students arrive on our campus with core beliefs developed over 17 or more years in family, regional and religious backgrounds. While students with peace and environmental concerns typically labeled as “liberal” might be disproportionately represented at Guilford College, Warren Wilson College and similar institutions, they are more likely to challenge campus authorities than join them.

The biggest problem with the proposed “Academic Bill of Rights” and other attempts to legislate political discourse in the classroom – besides tenure and other legal barriers – is that laws tend to encourage individuals or organizations to abdicate their responsibilities. For example, how often have we moderated our driving speed not for safety reasons but because there was a sign limiting us to 35, 55 or 70? And measuring speed is much easier than measuring free speech.

Colleges and universities, public and independent alike, would serve students best by taking matters into their own hands and being intentional about promoting a diversity of viewpoints. How so? Here are a few suggestions, based on objectives Guilford has established:

Hire faculty and staff and recruit students who represent diverse viewpoints. Ideally, a college or university community should be a microcosm of the world and not a safe cocoon where only like-minded individuals teach, work and study.
Encourage discussion on every topic and from almost every point of view by any member of the community. Truth is best perceived through the shared experiences of those in a community of truth seekers.
Have more purposeful debates on campus where students can be exposed to various sides of issues. This includes inviting speakers of diverse backgrounds and promoting community opportunities to hear them. My goal is that George Will is as welcome at Guilford as Ralph Nader.
Vigorously prosecute assaults on freedom of speech, ensuring a safe space for all viewpoints.

There is no doubt that we have work to do on this issue, and the polarization of political views nationally places obstacles in the way. But all colleges and universities have a responsibility to foster a broader discourse that will benefit students and the greater community.

This opinion-editorial was originally published in the Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area in April 2005.