George Mason University - VERY happy so far

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What the hell does libertarian have to do with anything?

no liberal guilt . Allow you to learn things in your own.

Seriously, what are you prattling on about? Liberal guilt? Huh?

We're talking about colleges and universities here. You know, institutions of higher learning. What are you talking about libertarians and liberal guilt for?

Activism permeates many colleges. Think Berkeley, Wellesley, Wesleyan, etc. professors at many colleges mark down f you don't tow their line re: liberal values. Note your smart tone. My son doesn't want that permeating his educational experience and I don't want to pay for it

GMU has many students of different thought and, no doubt, your son will encounter them. If GMU doesn't work, you might like Furman University or Liberty University.

+1 I love a lot of things about GMU, and exposure to many different viewpoints is one of them. Great school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What the hell does libertarian have to do with anything?

no liberal guilt . Allow you to learn things in your own.

Seriously, what are you prattling on about? Liberal guilt? Huh?

We're talking about colleges and universities here. You know, institutions of higher learning. What are you talking about libertarians and liberal guilt for?

Activism permeates many colleges. Think Berkeley, Wellesley, Wesleyan, etc. professors at many colleges mark down f you don't tow their line re: liberal values. Note your smart tone. My son doesn't want that permeating his educational experience and I don't want to pay for it

Your intensive experience tells you this, I take it? Or, are you rationalizing your child's inability to gain acceptance to those schools?

I attended some of these, and in my experience, people were taught to see the forest for the trees -- I have never heard of a professor marking down a student for disagreeing with him or her ideologically. Maybe if the disagreement wasn't persuasively argued with evidence (which tends to be a problem for a lot of conservatives), but for the disagreement, per se.

It seems to me that you're the only one prioritizing an ideology here is you. You seem very concerned that your child not be encouraged to explore ideas outside your short-sighted bubble of what is acceptable.

[Anonymous]

It's not easy to teach math, science engineering and technology with a political view. It is easy to inject a political view in liberal arts degrees by directing the students to read certain books or materials.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What the hell does libertarian have to do with anything?

no liberal guilt . Allow you to learn things in your own.

Seriously, what are you prattling on about? Liberal guilt? Huh?

We're talking about colleges and universities here. You know, institutions of higher learning. What are you talking about libertarians and liberal guilt for?

Activism permeates many colleges. Think Berkeley, Wellesley, Wesleyan, etc. professors at many colleges mark down f you don't tow their line re: liberal values. Note your smart tone. My son doesn't want that permeating his educational experience and I don't want to pay for it

Your intensive experience tells you this, I take it? Or, are you rationalizing your child's inability to gain acceptance to those schools?

I attended some of these, and in my experience, people were taught to see the forest for the trees -- I have never heard of a professor marking down a student for disagreeing with him or her ideologically. Maybe if the disagreement wasn't persuasively argued with evidence (which tends to be a problem for a lot of conservatives), but for the disagreement, per se.

It seems to me that you're the only one prioritizing an ideology here is you. You seem very concerned that your child not be encouraged to explore ideas outside your short-sighted bubble of what is acceptable.

He didn't even apply to those schools. Some people aren't really interested in an activist environment. How quaint that you feel people are failures for not being activists. SO cute! I do indeed know of many people who have been bitten by the prof who marks people down for not sharing their point of view.

The best thing about being libertarian is that you just want to be left alone, hence the not being interested in an activist college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not easy to teach math, science engineering and technology with a political view. It is easy to inject a political view in liberal arts degrees by directing the students to read certain books or materials.

Exactly. And also marking down papers that don't share those views.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What the hell does libertarian have to do with anything?

no liberal guilt . Allow you to learn things in your own.

GMU has been heavily funded and influenced since its early days by libertarian sources. It receives in particular a huge amount of funding from the Koch brothers.

http://www.desmogblog.com/koch-and-george-mason-university

The required economics component is likely designed to ensure that graduates come out with a perspective on the subject that mirrors that of the funders.

I don't think this perspective is really any different from that espoused by the PP above, regarding Berkeley et al. What is interesting is that the OP appears to view "libertarian" as "unbiased" or "objective." It's a bias like any other, and to the extent that GMU or any university has that bent, students there may not be "learning things on their own" but rather may be being encouraged to view the world around them through a certain lens. One can decide whether that is a plus or a minus.

When I say libertarian, I mean the 'don't do it on my lawn, I won't do it on yours' mentality. GMU seems to share this viewpoint.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What the hell does libertarian have to do with anything?

no liberal guilt . Allow you to learn things in your own.

Seriously, what are you prattling on about? Liberal guilt? Huh?

We're talking about colleges and universities here. You know, institutions of higher learning. What are you talking about libertarians and liberal guilt for?

Activism permeates many colleges. Think Berkeley, Wellesley, Wesleyan, etc. professors at many colleges mark down f you don't tow their line re: liberal values. Note your smart tone. My son doesn't want that permeating his educational experience and I don't want to pay for it

GMU has many students of different thought and, no doubt, your son will encounter them. If GMU doesn't work, you might like Furman University or Liberty University.

That's exactly the education he wants - one that has students of many different thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What the hell does libertarian have to do with anything?

no liberal guilt . Allow you to learn things in your own.

GMU has been heavily funded and influenced since its early days by libertarian sources. It receives in particular a huge amount of funding from the Koch brothers.

http://www.desmogblog.com/koch-and-george-mason-university

The required economics component is likely designed to ensure that graduates come out with a perspective on the subject that mirrors that of the funders.

I don't think this perspective is really any different from that espoused by the PP above, regarding Berkeley et al. What is interesting is that the OP appears to view "libertarian" as "unbiased" or "objective." It's a bias like any other, and to the extent that GMU or any university has that bent, students there may not be "learning things on their own" but rather may be being encouraged to view the world around them through a certain lens. One can decide whether that is a plus or a minus.

YES!! This is what confused me about the OP...is libertarianism unbiased?

[Anonymous]

Keep talking ~ you are revealing George Mason's true colors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What the hell does libertarian have to do with anything?

no liberal guilt . Allow you to learn things in your own.

GMU has been heavily funded and influenced since its early days by libertarian sources. It receives in particular a huge amount of funding from the Koch brothers.

http://www.desmogblog.com/koch-and-george-mason-university

The required economics component is likely designed to ensure that graduates come out with a perspective on the subject that mirrors that of the funders.

And you think GMU should turn down $30Million dollars when its growing like gangbusters? Hell no, it's building and expanding everywhere. And I have never seen libertarianism creep into DC's curriculum - ever.

[Anonymous]

To the mom who mentioned the disability services office. YES! We have been so pleased with the services our DS has received (Aspergers/ADHD/Anxiety). Much better than an IEP in FCPS. They really want to help. Accommodations (speaking only of those I know about) range from room selection for quiet space, seating up front, time and half on tests, professors notes if any, and a meeting with the professor and a Disability Services Office member within the first two weeks of of the semester, just in case the Professor doesn't "get it" - whatever the problem is. There is also a good psychological services team (haven't used that much but I think the student gets 8 free sessions a term before they start charging). And there is also a Writing Center with coaches to help those with focus and writing. GMU is really outstanding and pleasantly "with it" about disability needs - in part because the campus is so new and growing so fast. Couldn't be happier.

[Anonymous]

"I have never seen libertarianism creep into DC's curriculum"

Just the whole economics department.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I just think you're wrong there - each professor has his or her way of looking at economics. There's a wide breadth of classes and teachers to choose from at GMU. You can easily take courses that lean towards your preferred political position. Or, if not, then just parrot back on the exam what the leftie professor wants to hear (and get that "A") - that's what got me through Harvard Law: 1) Figure out the profs; 2) pick the ones middling left (there is no right at HLS); and 3) sit and take notes, read prof's most recent article, and parrot back everything she said in class on the exam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Keep talking ~ you are revealing George Mason's true colors.

WTH are you talking about? George Mason is a fantastic university with students of many different political and religious beliefs. The school is a great place to actually learn about different points-of-view.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What the hell does libertarian have to do with anything?

no liberal guilt . Allow you to learn things in your own.

Seriously, what are you prattling on about? Liberal guilt? Huh?

We're talking about colleges and universities here. You know, institutions of higher learning. What are you talking about libertarians and liberal guilt for?

Activism permeates many colleges. Think Berkeley, Wellesley, Wesleyan, etc. professors at many colleges mark down f you don't tow their line re: liberal values. Note your smart tone. My son doesn't want that permeating his educational experience and I don't want to pay for it

Your intensive experience tells you this, I take it? Or, are you rationalizing your child's inability to gain acceptance to those schools?

I attended some of these, and in my experience, people were taught to see the forest for the trees -- I have never heard of a professor marking down a student for disagreeing with him or her ideologically. Maybe if the disagreement wasn't persuasively argued with evidence (which tends to be a problem for a lot of conservatives), but for the disagreement, per se.

It seems to me that you're the only one prioritizing an ideology here is you. You seem very concerned that your child not be encouraged to explore ideas outside your short-sighted bubble of what is acceptable.

He didn't even apply to those schools. Some people aren't really interested in an activist environment. How quaint that you feel people are failures for not being activists. SO cute! I do indeed know of many people who have been bitten by the prof who marks people down for not sharing their point of view.

The best thing about being libertarian is that you just want to be left alone, hence the not being interested in an activist college.

You seem really hung up on this mythological "activism" thing. And, frankly, terrified of it. It's as if you think professors do, what, engage in reeducation programming or something?

That's really hilarious.

Most "activism" on college campuses is student-driven.

GMU has a bunch that might terrify you, as I assume xenophobia goes with the rest of your world view. Some include: the Afghan Student Association; Access Islam; Arab Student Association; Arabic Language and Culture Club; Bengali Patriots Association; Black Student Alliance; Feminist Student Organization; George Mason Democrats; George Mason University Global Zero (anti-nuke group); GMU Bronies (fanboys of My Little Pony); Grad Pride (Gays); Indian Student Association; International Socialist Organization (I hear they're huge on campus); Iranian Students Association; Mason Buddhists Association (quite the radical group); Mason Dreamers (pro-illegal immigration group); Mobilize Mason (anti-poverty group); Muslim Student Association; Muslims Without Borders; NAACP; Native Americans and Indigenous Alliance; Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education; Pakistani Student Association; Pride Alliance (gays); Saudi Student Alliance; Secular Student Alliance (atheists); Stand Out (gays); Students Against Israeli Apartheid; Students for Justice in Palestine; TQ Mason (gays).

You get the idea. I certainly hope your student doesn't live in campus. He might have his paradigm challenged by exposure to these groups. Of course, some would say that's an important part of the collegiate experience. But it sure sounds like you're trying to shelter him from "activists."