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[hadleyb]

Read the paper. Look at the raw data. Run the same numbers.

What the authors fail to mention (I will not say "deliberately") is that the "academic indifference" they have identified is not characteristic of conservatives alone.  It is similarly characteristic of women and minorities.

When women and minorities are underrepresented, the response is to create diversity programs. 

The lack of any similar response to conservative underrepresentation is indicative.

[fiona]

At least borderline Warts.

The Fiona

[mountain_ivy]

Women can't change gender (without surgery, anyway) and minorities can't change that status (well, except for Michael Jackson), but conservatives can change.  Well, maybe only for the worse.

[college_grad]

The lack of any similar response to conservative underrepresentation is indicative.

When we were looking at demographics in political science classes I noticed that liberals and conservatives were almost equally represented at all education levels until you got to the graduate degrees...  If a conservative gets a graduate degree, it is almost exclusively a master's or a professional certification - liberals dominate the Ph.D.s.  I was a little surprised at first but it makes logical sense if you look at who the parties pander to, their most educated/wealthiest supporters:  Republicans pander to MBAs and accountants, Democrats pander to lawyers, doctors, and professors.

[polly_mer]

I find the notion that academics are primarily liberal strange, but then I tend not to venture out into the scary buildings where people do things I don't understand.

I like physical scientists and engineers.

[umdgrad]

I find the notion that academics are primarily liberal strange, but then I tend not to venture out into the scary buildings where people do things I don't understand.

I like physical scientists and engineers.

let me get this straight...if you don't understand it or find it scary, you close yourself off to it? sad...

[king_ghidorah]

I liked the part where the conservative prof suggests colleges actively recruit conservative faculty.  Hell, I could be a Rebulican if it got me a job!  I'd walk into the job talk with a big ol' "El Rushbo" button on my lapel.  Later on I'd let my punk-rock pinko commie self out of the bag...

[geogeek]

I have several colleagues who are registered Republicans, but only so that they can rock the vote during primaries.  Hee hee.

Our local rag recently ran a story in which the "researchers" went through voter rolls to determine the political leanings of faculty members in certain departments at the local university.  It then went on to describe how many conservative students feel uncomfortable in class and unable to speak out.  It was clear from the quotes provided, however, that what really made the students uncomfortable was being exposed to viewpoints that differed from those they'd grown up hearing.  It turns out the story was authored by a conservative student organization. 

In the online comments posted in response to the story, I was heartened to see that most folks were able to read between the lines.  Many pointed out that an important aspect of higher education is being exposed to an array of perspectives.  Hearing different viewpoints doesn't mean you agree with them.

[polly_mer]

I find the notion that academics are primarily liberal strange, but then I tend not to venture out into the scary buildings where people do things I don't understand.

I like physical scientists and engineers.

let me get this straight...if you don't understand it or find it scary, you close yourself off to it? sad...

Oho!  Does that mean that you want to go with me to the next meeting of the People Working for the Constitutional Amendment to Reelect Bush in 2012?

Bring your shotgun and a dish to share!

[anonemouse]

Should we be worried about conservative representation in higher education?  I think it's a fair question, but it also depends on the demographic of your student population. If they are primarily from an area where they have been exposed to conservative ideas all their lives, then, I think, not so much.  In my experience, my students come from an overwhelmingly conservative environment.  I encourage my students to speak out if they disagree with my viewpoint (and I make it clear to them that I am coming from a liberal perspective and that it is perfectly all right if they do not agree).  I may challenge them on the assumptions they are making or the logic of their reasoning, but I always tell them that I am not trying to make them think like me, but to simply think.  One of the definitions of liberal is " free of prejudice and bigotry; open-minded and tolerant", so if my students become more "liberal" in that sense, I think that's great.

[bigstateu]

When women and minorities are underrepresented, the response is to create diversity programs.

The lack of any similar response to conservative underrepresentation is indicative.

I think we'd then have to require that conservatives stay conservative even if evidence in their field later leads them to change their political ideas, in order to keep their special diversity positions specifically set aside for conservatives.

As someone who went into college as a conservative and came out many years later as a liberal, would my birth ideology count or would it be based on my present ideology? If I registered as a Republican before I applied for an academic job would I be eligible for a conservative diversity hire especially since I have a conservative ancestral background?

Does the role of structured inequalities apply to political ideology the same way it does to race or sex?

I guess I'm skeptical that political ideology requires the same affirmative action as say race. 

[invinoveritas]

I do not understand how any thinking person could be a conservative republican.

Except, perhaps...Voldemort?

[polly_mer]

I do not understand how any thinking person could be a conservative republican.

Except, perhaps...Voldemort?

<points finger at Invinoveritas>
What happened to the open-minded part of being a liberal? 

I may challenge them on the assumptions they are making or the logic of their reasoning, but I always tell them that I am not trying to make them think like me, but to simply think.  One of the definitions of liberal is " free of prejudice and bigotry; open-minded and tolerant", so if my students become more "liberal" in that sense, I think that's great.

I think Anonemouse has the right idea that part of college is exposing students to new ideas and examining their previous assumptions.  I particularly like the aphorism "If you leave college as the same person you were when you entered, you've wasted four years". 

However, I get very annoyed at the idea that all proper thinking people are political liberals (always identified as Democrats) and that everyone who is a political conservative is an unthinking, bigoted, hate-mongering, bible-thumping idiot who needs to be converted.  Yes, there are people like that, but some of the extreme liberal radicals also make people shudder.

I'm also annoyed by the idea that liberal/conservative is a binary state.  What about people who think homosexual marriage is a good idea, but are against nationalized healthcare?  What about people who are in favor of a strong military, but are upset about the current mess in Iraq?  What about people who think abortion for any reason should be legal, but are against assisted suicide?  I want thinking people to look at a specific issue and make a decision, not toe the party line because "I'm an X and that's what the consensus says is the proper answer this week".

Does that mean I'm a liberal and have to like modern art and wear the "white privilege" sticker?  I sure hope not. 

[invinoveritas]

Well...I was half joking. 

But I don't see how 'making a judgment=closed-minded.'

[polly_mer]

Well...I was half joking. 

But I don't see how 'making a judgment=closed-minded.'

I was also half joking because I, too, am a firm believer that "making a judgement !=closed-minded".  One of the things that irritates me most about liberals who are just mouthing the party line is the fact that they don't realize "Keeping an open mind to the point that your brains fall out is going too far".  A too open mind that won't make judgements because "that would be intolerant" is the next worst thing to a completely closed mind.

However, to brand all conservative Republicans with "Thinking people couldn't possibly make that decision" strikes a negative chord with me when I know several people who, after much reflection over years, evolved from being liberal Democrats to being conservative Republicans.  So thinking people do make that decision, even if you disagree with them.