Diversity Disrespected: Wells College Student Government Refuses to Recognize Republican Club

Wells College Republican Press Release | December 7, 2003 | Wells College Republicans

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Diversity Disrespected: Wells College Student Government Refuses to Recognize Republican Club

Wells Republicans Respond: “Our College’s Culture is Hostile to Traditional Students”

Contact: Kristy Lee Hochenberger Chairman, Wells College Republicans Phone: 315.364.2960 khochenberger@wells.edu

AURORA, N.Y. (December 8th 2003)—One month to the day after the Republican club at Wells College (an all-women’s college located in Aurora, NY) published a study revealing a grossly disproportionate number of left-wing professors on its faculty, the student government denied recognition to the club as an official campus organization.

On November 7th, the Wells Republicans issued a press release describing the study they had conducted of the political party registrations of the members of the social sciences and humanities faculties at the college. The study revealed that members of parties of the left (Democrats, Greens, Working Families) outnumbered Republicans by a ratio of 92%/8%.

A Wells professor responded to the study calling Republicans “stupid” and calling for Republicans to be forcibly lobotomized. The online FrontPage Magazine promptly picked up the story:

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=10708

The study and the college’s reaction to it were the subject of public affairs television shows in Syracuse and Ithaca, New York.

At a meeting of the Wells student government (known as “Collegiate”) held on December 7th, the Wells Republicans sought recognition as an official campus club. They garnered only 9 ‘yes’ votes from the 27 members of the student government, with 7 voting ‘no’ and 11 abstaining.

As a result of the vote, the club will not be granted a budget for its activities, although it can “grieve” support for specific events. Other clubs receive budgets of as much as thousands of dollars annually for their activities.

Said Wells Republican Chairwoman Kristy Lee Hochenberger, a junior from Syracuse, NY: “It’s hard to view this vote as anything other than retribution for the unpopular political views we espouse.

“If this vote had been on the merits, there is no question we would have been granted recognition. Our club has been perhaps the most active of any on campus. Beyond bringing speakers to campus and organizing other events, our faculty diversity study attracted national and local attention and was the focus of two separate television shows.”

Said Wells Republican Treasurer Colleen Curry, a sophomore from Warren, Maine: “There seems to be a pattern emerging. Wells speaks often and loudly of its devotion to diversity. But when it comes to hiring faculty, somehow there is a glaring absence of conservatives. And when the few conservative students on campus want to organize themselves into a club, they are denied recognition.”

Added Hochenberger: “We will seek to appeal this decision if possible, and bring it to the attention of the college’s administration, including Wells College President Lisa Marsh Ryerson.

“But sadly, we members of the Republican club, and other students sympathetic to our cause, are coming to the conclusion that Wells College’s culture is hostile to traditional students.”

//end release//

[governsleastgovernsbest]

For FReepers who didn't read the stories last month about the study on faculty diversity that the Wells Republicans carried out, and the incredible reaction from a faculty member who called for Republicans to be lobotomized, click on the link in the release to the FrontPage article.

These feisty conservatives in a liberal outpost deserve out support!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Here's a link to the FrontPage article:

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=10708

[bdeaner]

Kudos to these courageous youngsters!

[FormerACLUmember]

DEMOCRATS BELIEVE IN FREE SPEECH ONLY WHEN YOU HUMBLY AGREE WITH EVERY LIE THEY BABBLE.

[Republican Wildcat]

CR bump

[Drango]

God bless any Republican on campus today...

[Lawgvr1955]

Hypocricy of the left exposed. Once again!

[Lawgvr1955]

Hypocricy of the left exposed. Once again!

[farmfriend]

bttt

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I'm informed that when the Wells Republicans met with college president Ryerson, she informed them it wasn't clear that intellectual and political diversity were what the college had in mind when they touted their commitment to diversity!

[CommandoFrank]

Why does this not surprise me????????

[governsleastgovernsbest]

ping

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Let's imagine that it was some kind of PC club (fill in the blanks!). What are the odds that student government would deny recognition?

[GladesGuru]

The college was originally funded by teh Wells of Wells/Fargo. Arguably, the resulting institution is far from what he invisioned. His friend, Ezra funded another college which did rather better i terms of growth, but is likewise home to far too many of the socialism impaired.

These campus Pubbies are just now learning what are the core beliefs of the denizens of the Grove of the Academe? It would be interesting to see if they remember their experiences when the flood of 'gimmie' mail arrives after they graduate. Alumni associations do have the ear of the campus powers that be.

One thing that will bring a bit of balance back to the campus would be if graduates let the alma mater know that no support would be forthcoming until the population of campus Commies was reduced. Hint, ladies, a hint.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

when the Wells Republicans met with college president Ryerson, she informed them it wasn't clear that intellectual and political diversity were what the college had in mind when they touted their commitment to diversity!

Hey, at least she's honest. ;-)

[RedlegCPT]

And Wells wonders why my wife refuse's to give them money after she graduated from there.

[FormerACLUmember]

These brave young women are at the vangusrd of academic freedom and intellectual honesty in an otherwise benighted institution.

I would LOVE to see a list of the campus organizations the students are forced to support in the name of Orwellian "diversity."

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I know that the club did send its press releases regarding their study documenting the lack of faculty diversity to the alumni Board of Directors.

[karen999]

Let's imagine that it was some kind of PC club (fill in the blanks!). What are the odds that student government would deny recognition?

Are you kidding? If a wanna be club of one eyed purple lesbian kangaroos had come along they would have been funded in a heartbeat.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Wells is a very small college - only about 400 students. Apparently there are 27 organizations that have been recognized. Undoubtedly many of them are barely active.

The Wells Republicans are an incredibly dynamic, feisty bunch. In addition to their faculty diversity study, at the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom they set up a Wall of Honor on campus. They've brought in GOP speakers, worked on campaigns. An all-around great group. It is an absolute travesty that they have been denied representation.