Wells College Shuts Down College Republicans

FrontPageMagazine ^ | 12/10/03 | Kristy Lee Hochenberger

[kattracks]

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 percent to 8 percent.

A Wells professor responded to the study calling Republicans "stupid" and calling for Republicans to be forcibly lobotomized. FrontPage Magazine promptly picked up this story.

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 7, the Wells Republicans sought recognition as an official campus club. They garnered only 9 ‘yes’ votes from 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, New York, "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."

Hochenberger added, "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."

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Kristy Lee Hochenberger is Chair of the Wells College Republicans.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

A Wells professor responded to the study calling Republicans "stupid" and calling for Republicans to be forcibly lobotomized.

If all of us Republicans were forcibly lobotomized, what would we be? DemocRATS.

[CounterCounterCulture]

So much for diverrrrrrsity and tolerance and women's rights and choice...

[RLK]

Who was it here a few days ago that posted a blurb proclaiming liberalism was dead?

[weegee]

I'm so sure that we will soon be hearing Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon speaking out about the Chill Wind on America's college campuses stiffling contrary opinions.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

BUMP!

[Free Trapper]

Well,now we know how conservatives are to be treated if the liberals have enough power.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Another look at the Left's lock on education.

[nygoose]

I think that Conservatives should begin to move toward treating liberals as the enemy. We should consider treating them in a hostile manner in ordinary social situations. Let's take the civility out of the culture when we deal with them. What have we got to lose? They are not our friends in any way and would probably send us to the camps if they thought they could get away with it.

[leadpenny]

It would have been more fun had the gals gotten recognition before they released their report.

[Free Trapper]

You mean treat liberals like they treat anyone with any moral values?

They'd wet 'emselves! :O)

[Dr. Scarpetta]

BUMP

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Wells College Student Life - Student Organizations -- A sample:

Wells Democrats: This group works to promote a greater understanding of the political process. Specific activities include voter registration and campaigning. It is a great opportunity for all students to learn more about politics.

Lesbian, Bisexual, Questioning, Transgendered and Allies (L.B.Q.T.A.): The purpose of L.B.Q.T.A. is to assist the entire Wells community to ensure the inclusion of every lesbian, bisexual, queer, questioning, transgendered and allied persons and to eliminate homophobia and heterosexism at Wells College by providing direct service, referral, programming, outreach, support and education.

Model U.N. Club: This club teaches the processes and functions of the United Nations through participation in the annual simulation programs at Princeton and Harvard University.

[Arkie2]

student government (known as "Collegiate")

They can't even spell. It's "Collective"

[saveliberty]

I am a Wells College alum and am not surprised by this decision. When I attended (back when dinosaurs ruled the earth) the perspective was overwhelmingly liberal. What was valuable is that although there were many liberal professors there, there were enough who were able to think unconventionally. The English professor was conservative and he was fabulous- a great professor and a great human being. I can't think of another conservative among the faculty.

The organizations were headed by radical and intolerant narcissists. This was actually helpful as a)it was a blueprint of how "good intentions" bulldoze over the wellbeing of those individuals you purport to help and b) it was a great lesson in how to live as a freethinking individual in an intolerant environment. There are other lessons as well, but just how much do you folks want to hear anyway?

[avg_freeper]

The purpose of L.B.Q.T.A. is to assist the entire Wells community to ensure the inclusion of every lesbian, bisexual, queer, questioning, transgendered and allied persons

What in samhill is an "allied" person? Are they associated with Allied Vans? Do they move gay furniture? What am I? An "axis" person?

Anyone have a clue?

[TheRightGuy]

You mean treat liberals like they treat anyone with any moral values?

Absolutely!! If you don't have anything nice to say, say it to a liberal.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I guess "allied" means people who support their lifestyle.

[Free Trapper]

I think "allied" is PC-BS speach for what you or I would use the word "perverted".

[Free Trapper]

In this case "other perverted".