Spring Break
Students discuss the effects of political bias in the classrom
Jim Sojourner
Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: News
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A group of about 15 CSU students deliberated in a small, sweltering room at the Hilton Fort Collins over how their professors' political biases should and do enter into their classrooms.
While, as senior speech communications student Ashton Gansar said, "a lot of the way people got their information was classroom discussion," the students had variety of opinions on how personal politics should enter classes.
Students were quick to say that barring professors from interjecting political biases is not an appropriate solution.
"Plato would be rolling in his grave," Nick Hanson, a senior speech communications major, said about the idea of disallowing the discussion of certain political issues.
However, disagreements did arise on how far a professor should be able to go, as well as how to make sure students are treated fairly for expressing opinions that dissent from their professors'.
Some students said they felt the right to freedom of speech should be protected at all costs, and Gansar said it is the responsibility of students to research opinions that differ from their professors.
"I think if we have time to upload 25 pictures of Facebook, we have time to research," Gansar said.
Others, however, said professors have a responsibility to their captive audience to do their best to present varied opinions on any given issue.
Sarah Rieves, a senior speech communications major, said presenting multiple sides to an issue "keeps professors accountable for what they're saying and also encourages discussion."
"If we want to encourage people to think for themselves, we should present both sides and let them choose for themselves," said Brady Stambaugh, a senior speech communications major. Other students expressed concerns that students may not be treated fairly for expressing an opinion differing from their professors.
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