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:

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.”

Here is a list of Wells College's recognized student organizations. Notice that there is a "Wells Democrats" organization! But now equal representation for a Republican Club? Shame, shame. This calls for action, folks.

Student Organizations

Featured Link: • Athletics •

When it comes to campus organizations, Wells has a unique advantage because of the opportunities for participation and leadership available to students. Wells has a diverse array of student organizations, and most students participate in extracurricular activities. Because of the relatively small size of the student body, every student who is motivated can take a leadership role in a campus organization. At Wells, even as a first-year student, you can obtain an upper-level position in student government, serve as an editor on a student publication, have a top role in a theatre/dance event or play on an athletic team. The following is a list of student organizations at Wells:

American Indians in Science and Engineering Society (AISES): This organization works to create increased awareness of Native American culture and issues.

Amnesty International: Amnesty International is an international organization interested in promoting human rights.

Arts and Lectures: This committee of students, faculty, and staff helps design a calendar of concerts and lectures. This annual series offers special theatre and musical programs throughout the year. Anyone interested in being involved with the committee should contact Jeanine Birchenough, director of student activities, at ext. 3330 (Sommer Center).

Bell Ringer: Bellringers ring daily to announce dinner and many special occasions. All students may try out for Bellringers at the beginning of each semester (under the watchful eye of the upperclass ringers).

The Cardinal: This yearbook is created and published by a staff of students who work year-round to produce a retrospective look at Wells.

Chamber Singers: This is a group of 12 to 16 especially talented students selected from Choir who perform on campus and on tour.

Choir: Interested students with singing ability may try out for the Choir in the fall and spring. The Choir performs on campus, and for the past 15 years has performed in a Christmas concert in New York City. Click here for more details.

Christian Fellowship: Christian Fellowship consists of students who meet for Bible study, make arrangements for speakers and concerts on campus, and also organize retreats.

Chronicle: This annual literary publication features stories, poems, and artwork by Wells students.

Collegiate: Each student is a member of the Collegiate Association. This is the self-governing organization of the student body, which is fully involved in the affairs of the college. Collegiate administers the funds for all student organizations. As a member of the Wells community, each woman is expected to be familiar with the Collegiate Constitution and to abide by the conduct regulations. During orientation there will be a meeting to introduce new students to Collegiate officers and to discuss the Constitution and regulations. Each hall elects representatives to the Collegiate Council who keep their constituents informed about college affairs and Council proceedings. Although minutes are posted on the bulletin board in Main, the best way to be informed and responsible is to attend the meetings.

Community Court: Wells is committed to the development of mature and responsible individuals. We are governed by an honor code, and Wells women are expected to abide by it; only through respect for the code and each other will we be able to appreciate the liberties of open library stacks, charging privileges, and take-home examinations. The Community Court, an adjunct of Collegiate, insures that the honor code is upheld and any infractions are resolved.

Dance Collective: Open to any student, it coordinates activities on campus, supports dance performance workshops, and sponsors films, guest artists, master classes, and a lecture series.

French Club: This club is open to those students who like to meet and speak French periodically during lunch. The club also organizes trips to such French-speaking cities as Quebec and Montreal.

Gardening Club: The Gardening Club welcomes anyone who wants to help transform the courtyard into a blossoming prismatic display of colorful flowers. The club will combine the best of art and science, intermixing the best of an educational, aesthetic, and environmental asset.

German Club: German Club sponsors linguistic lunch meetings for students interested in conversing in German at the table.

Green Geese: Green Geese is the campus environmental group providing community service and information to the campus about environmental issues; they also organize cleanups. Occasionally they have the opportunity to attend environmental conferences. They encourage members to recycle and to spread environmental conscience to the community. Green Geese is always looking for new members. Come join the fun.

Henry's VIII: A student-organized double quartet vocal group formed in the early 1940s, named after Henry Wells. The group performs at Wells and other area spots, has toured major cities along the East Coast, and has several albums to its credit.

Intramural Association: This organization sponsors intramural sports activities. The intramural association sponsors the student-faculty-staff tennis tournament, volleyball, swim for fitness and many other activities. It is run by four elected students and an advisor.

Kastalia Honorary Society: Named for the ancient fount of the muses on Mount Parnasus, strives to create a safe place where Wells women can explore and learn about all of their possible creative outlets while maintaining an active and open presence on campus. Kastalia is focused on personal and group growth in the area of the dramatic arts. Within a collaborative leadership structure, members of Kastalia learn skills and refine them during several small performances and one full-length production. It is also one of the oldest groups on campus, founded in the early 1900's.

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.

The Onyx: The student newspaper which is written, edited, and published by Wells students and the advisor.

Phoenix Literary Society: Sponsors discussions with visiting writers and poets, encourages publication of student writers' works, and offers a yearly prize for the best piece published by a Phoenix member.

Piutti Ensemble: An instrumental group made up of students and faculty which performs a varied selection of music. They perform at various campus events.

POWER: (Praising Our Work, Ethnicity, & Race) In addition to providing an opportunity for Black, Latina and Asian women to get together formally and informally, the association encourages the community to increase its awareness and understanding of Black, Latin and Asian cultures. The society sponsors special events such as lectures, movies and a cultural dinner.

Programming Board: The Programming Board is a Collegiate committee which is responsible for planning, organizing, and working at social events on and off campus, including Disco Doge, SemiFormal, Mainly 80's, and Spring Weekend. Students are encouraged to talk with a member of the Programming Board about ideas and suggestions for social activities or volunteer to serve on one of the Programming Board subcommittees. For more information, contact the Student Activities Office.

Psychology Club: A student run club sponsoring guest speakers, lecturers, and movies having to do with psychology, open to all students.

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C): The Wells S.A.A.C. serves as a voice for student athletes. It is comprised of representatives from each intercollegiate team, administrators, and coaches.

Student Diversity Committee: The Student Diversity Committee shall support all students by advocating the diversity of race, ethnicity, sexuality and spirituality. The goal shall be achieved through hosting and promoting activities that celebrate diversity; working in conjunction with the President's Diversity Committee to bring forth areas of weakness concerning diversity; facilitate discussion geared toward resolving issues; and educating the Wells Community toward an open-minded and respectful environment.

Science Fiction-Fantasy Club: A club for sci-fi/fantasy fans. It sponsors an all-night movie program of science fiction, comedy, and drama.

Spanish Club: The Spanish Club is closely connected with the Spanish Department and helps sponsor guest lecturers to speak on issues ranging from the development of groups in Spain to the art of papermaking in Latin America. The club also gives its members the opportunity to speak the language in an informal way.

Taekwon-Do Club: This club trains as a traditional class in the Korean martial art of Taekwon-Do. Students learn self-defense, patterns, technique, sparring, Korean terminology and commands, as well as the history of the art/sport. Students have the opportunity every semester to test and advance in belt rank.

Wells Consort: For those interested in medieval music and instruments, or in other baroque forms of music.

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.

Wells Hillel: The mission is to promote Jewish life on campus by holding discussion of Judaism and sponsoring Jewish events on campus. Wells Hillel is unique among other Hillels because of our emphasis on Women in Judaism.

Whirligigs: A singing group that offers another opportunity for Wells women to vocalize. They specialize, but do not limit themselves, to show tunes. They also arrange their own music.

WILL (Women in Lifelong Learning): Consists of non-traditionally aged women who meet regularly to discuss issues of mutual interest, provide general support for each other, and plan workshops and other events.

Women's Resource Center: The Women's Resource Center takes campus-wide responsibility for creating awareness around health, diversity, reproductive rights, and current events concerning women. Their purpose is to affirm and empower women on a communal and national level.

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