Professors say political opinions don't affect teaching

By JENNA NIELSEN

The issue of politics in the classroom is a controversial topic on America’s college campuses today.

Many students and professors have their view on whether or not politics should be checked at the door, and how far institutions should go to protect students’ academic freedom.

Political intolerance has become a common issue and the debate between professors and students has been heating up. As teachers’ freedom of speech is protected, some students are arguing their freedom to learn must be protected in the same way.

At Fresno State, professors and students seem to agree that the expression of partisan political views in class is fine as long as it is presented that way, and contrasting opinions are present and welcomed.

Many professors like to keep their individual party affiliation to themselves and welcome discussion on both sides of the spectrum. Management professor Tom Burns agrees it is hard to teach without showing your values, but he does give opposing views to situations. “Professors need to be careful not to portray too much of their values,” Burns said. Burns doesn’t consider himself liberal or conservative and believes how you approach a topic depends on the subject area.

Economics professor Don Leet also tries to get students to see all sides. “I allow students to think for themselves,” Leet said. He thinks a reasonable case should be made for all arguments and that why you think a certain way should be emphasized.

Finance and business law professor Patricia LaRosa also tries to remain neutral in class discussions. “I don’t like to project my political views on the class,” LaRosa said. She feels the need to give both sides on an issue in order to remain objective.

Political science professor Mark Somma thinks there are a number of sides rather than just two. “Even the most liberal people have conservative views,” and vice versa, Somma said. Michael Becker, also a political science professor, agrees there are many sides to different issues. “If I am asked, I don’t hesitate to say where I stand, but I try and get students to think in different theoretical perspectives,” Becker said.

Students on campus don’t think all professors remain non-partisan all the time, but they don’t have a big problem with professors expressing their individual views. History and political science major Cynthia Oliphant, said some professors express their partisan views and some don’t. “I don’t have a problem if they have a point of view as long as they back it up,” Oliphant said.

Other students agree that professors should give their biased opinion as long as it is relevant to the subject matter and they don’t grade unfairly if a student expresses opinions opposite to theirs. Brent Bird, a senior management major, said professors should inject their own personal opinions. “As long as they let you debate or argue, I don’t mind if they say their own personal opinion on a matter,” Bird said.

Political science major Marcy DeFendis said she thinks professors should give their view on topics as long as they don’t press it on the student too much. “I don’t mind if they express their views, but if you have to agree with them to get a good grade then I think that is wrong,” DeFendis said.

DeFendis brings up a point that has become a major concern to various organizations today.

A nation-wide concern among students is when expression of individual opinion becomes intolerance to different views.

Numerous websites such as noindoctrination.org and studentsforacademicfreedom.org are providing a place for students to go to file complaints about professors who engage in what they call in-class indoctrination.

A poll conducted by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni found that professors do inject politics in class and that 29% of students feel compelled to agree with their teachers in order to get a good grade. Half of students interviewed at 50 leading American colleges said that professors inject politics into classroom discussions even if the comments have nothing to do with the subject being taught.

More than 45 percent said professors use the classroom to present personal political views and 42 percent assign readings that present only one side of a controversial issue.

The ACTA poll found students are influenced by politics in the classroom and organizations are trying to address that concern in their own way.

Academic freedom has become a concern at a number of America’s top colleges and universities. The debate is intensifying and both professors and students have their own feelings on exactly what should be said and done regarding politics in the classroom.