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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous] :roll:  :roll:  :roll: 
Sorry, this is not a political discussion thread.[/quote]

Umm, the poster who went off on the supposed lack of political diversity @ LACs injected politics into this thread. [/quote]
No,. The poster commented on the lack of political diversity and the respondent introduced politics by demanding a defense of Republican political "crimes." The lack of political diversity was never disputed and in fact emphasized by the respondent's utter incapability to stick to the issue, but rather her desire to make political points.[/quote]

interesting take. read like the poster didn't want to engage in any convo about lack of political diversity unless it applied to lacs, especially perceived liberal ones. that seems like both a narrow and convenient argument, enabling the poster to sidestep any discussion regarding the lack of political diversity in other institutions, which can also have deleterious affects on the body politic. [/quote]
As the actual author of the posts, let me respond.  I think the lack of political diversity amongst both the faculty and student body is a general problem for all academic institutions, but it is particularly a problem at LACs because of their focus on a traditional liberal education emphasizing free inquiry amongst a variety of competing ideas and perspectives.  This is obviously less important if you a going to a large university to study STEM.  In my view, a lack of diversity will spell the end of LACs, particularly if it is accompanied by an attempt to shout down unpopular views.
As I noted before, I went to a SLAC about 40 years ago.  At that time, Oberlin was one of the top 3 LACs in the Midwest.  It has been slipping in the ratings since and my impression is that it is due now being viewed on the crazy liberal side of LACs.  I have no doubt that actual academics at Oberlin remain first rate.  It is likely that my alma mater (Carleton) is just as non-diverse as Oberlin, but its administration at least provides more lip service to valuing diversity of thought.  It is my impression that the administration at Oberlin has not been effective in demonstrating a commitment to viewpoint diversity and has at times weighed in on the wrong side.[/quote]

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