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//

[freedumb2003]

I mean FIRE -- see post #77

[republicanregards]

To play devils advocate for about a milisecond, the page with the list of campus organizations hasn't been updated since 1/15/2003. (http://www.wells.edu/slife/storgs.htm). And from what I understand, there is currently no Wells Democrats, and many of the organizations listed on that page are defunct.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I'm told that Brit Hume's Special Report on Fox News has picked up the story. Replay midnight - 1 AM Eastern Time.

[bdeaner]

Well, then, they need to keep their friggin' website updated.

[chairmanKL]

Hello everyone!

I am the chairman of the Wells College Republicans (hence my username)

I can be reached at khochenberger@wells.edu or by regular mail: Kristy Lee Hochenberger, Wells College, Aurora NY 13026. Since the semester is winding down, I will be moving back home to Syracuse for the month of January but I can be reached through email.

Any questions, comments etc etc, don't be afraid to send me an email. :)

*kl*

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Our intrepid Wells Republicans have made national news in a BIG way!

Last night on Fox News' "Special Report," none other than host and Fox news chief Brit Hume picked up the story!

On the screen appeared a map of New York with a star showing the location of Aurora and the words "Wells College." Also appearing was a Republican elephant logo very much like the one at the top of this message, and the telling question at the bottom: "Retribution for Republican Views?"

Hume explained that the club had been denied recognition and quoted Chairman Kristy Lee Hochenberger: “It’s hard to view this vote as anything other than retribution for the unpopular political views we espouse."

Hume concluded by very pointedly stating that a Wells spokeswoman claimed "she did not know why" the Republican club had been denied recognition!

As with their faculty diversity study, published one month ago, which revealed that there is a huge liberal disparity on the Wells faculty, the Wells Republicans are leading the charge, making news, and exposing liberal hypocrisy!

Those wishing to send a message of support to the Wells Republicans are warmly invited to do so:
khochenberger@wells.edu

Bravo, Wells Republicans!

[chairmanKL]

As a matter of fact the College Democrats just started up again a few weeks ago. I am sure that the red carpet will be rolled out for them when THEY are up for Collegiate vote...

[bdeaner]

I'm sure. Clearly, they had already gotten the red carpet treatment in the past, since they were listed on the website -- despite inactivity for several years. If that happens, it will ultimately work in favor of the Republican club, because the hypocrisy will be especially hightlighted, so give 'em hell gals!

[bdeaner]

Fantastic! Congrats, Wells Republicans! Be Strong, and Stay Your Course! Act with integrity, with respect for your enemies, and with the highest moral standards, and you will prevail. You are in the right; they are WRONG, and no one can deny it. Evil hates exposure.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thought people would be pleased to learn that FrontPage magazine has picked up the press release:

http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=11247

I've posted the Front Page article and begun a thread, in case others hadn't seen the original press release posted. Here's the current discussion thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1037530/posts

In the wake of this travesty of justice, the Wells Republicans have received a number of messages of support, and even a few donations.