Liberal bias runs rampant on the Syracuse University campus, even in places you wouldn’t expect. Last fall, students gathered for their first lecture of an American History class that covered the Puritan era to the Civil War. The professor veered away from the subject matter within minutes and focused his attention on the threat of global warming and the tragedy of the 2000 election.

This was an ‘American History until 1865’ class, right? Students must have been rechecking their schedules to make sure they had not entered the wrong class. What did any of this have to do with American history, besides the fact that our founders created the Electoral College, which Al Gore probably bemoans to this day? It seems that unfortunately, this sort of liberal bias has become mainstream at most universities across the United States and especially here at SU.

Colin Ennis, a sophomore information studies major, attests to the lack of political balance within the university.

‘I definitely feel there is a liberal spin at SU,’ he said.

The inconvenient truth of the matter is that while Mr. Gore has no doubt raised awareness on climate change, such a topic has no place being discussed in an American history course.

For a school that stresses diversity with such passion and enthusiasm, it is disappointing that diversity does not apply to political thought.

The left wing bias at Syracuse is hard to deny. Look no further than an April article in The Daily Orange, reporting that 39 of 45 reported campaign contributions made by Syracuse University employees have gone to Democratic candidates. This is a continuing trend across the country, not just an issue at SU. Until last April, 75 percent of donations from all educators had gone to Democratic candidates, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

A sophomore Political Science major, who preferred to be known only as Caitlyn, took MAX 132: ‘Global Community,’ a class focused on globalization in spring 2008. In the course, Caitlyn found that her professors ‘imposed their political beliefs on the class.’

‘I was upset because I was under the impression that professors should present the material, allow students to dissect the information and come to a conclusion on their own,’ she said.

Although young people have had a history of not showing up to the polls, they do tend to be liberal. In the 2004 election, John Kerry won the 18- to 29-year-old demographic by 54 percent to President Bush’s 45 percent. Despite the liberal majority of young voters, they have not, by any means, finalized their political beliefs.

Upon entering college, professors are looked up to as a firm source of knowledge and wisdom, as they should be. However, when these sources have no diversity in their message, students are having the leftist platform hammered into their minds. The dominant, overriding left wing message of American colleges is creating waves of young liberals who have no interest in opposing points of view.

Conservatives are often the ones accused of being close minded, but the setup of this university is a prime example of liberal prejudice.

There are two clear solutions to the problem. The first is for SU to make a concerted effort to hire more conservatives. This may not be appealing for the university, or they may claim to be unable to find conservative voices within the elite academia.

The other option is for professors to refrain from making their political views so clear and public. Some of the best professors in government classes are those who do not give away their political views.

SU should apply its oft-spoken diversity message to political balance throughout the faculty, taking the lead towards a more moderate and balanced American education system.

Jimmy Paul is a sophomore political science major. His columns will appear bi-weekly. He can be reached at jdpaul01@syr.edu.

Published on September 2, 2008 at 12:00 pm