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//

[Texas Eagle]

If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all.

[VermiciousKnid]

Wells has changed over the years.

When I attended, the student body was indeed MUCH more conservative than the faculty, but even 20+ years ago, I could see where things were heading.

I'm not surprised to hear about this controversy.

Regards,

PS: At least 3/4 of these campus organizations did not exist when I was there.

[CyberCowboy777]

Sorry 'bout that - little more reading and BAM I got my answer.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

LOL, and too true.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

You can email Wells College President Lisa Marsh Ryerson at president@wells.edu. As mentioned, for the sake of the Wells Republicans I'd ask people to be civil and respectful.

[CyberCowboy777]

I only want an answer to the below.

President Ryerson,

Am I to understand that in a meeting with the Wells Republicans you 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?

Regards,

Keath Huff

[freedumb2003]

My email:

Dear Dr. Ryerson:

It has come to my attention that your school refuses to allow a Republican Club even though it does have a Democrat club ("Wells Democrats").

As a taxpayer, I object to this clear violation of free-speech rights subsidized by my tax dollars (the fact that you have your students submit a FAFSA tells me this). It also casts a grave shadow over alumnae from your institution and the value of a Wells education. This certainly will weigh heavily in my mind when I am evaluating job applicants from Wells -- something I must do from time to time.

I respectfully suggest that you cease discrimination at your school, less your federal funding be reviewed and your school's degrees be rendered suspect.

Thank you for your attention

[governsleastgovernsbest]

It'll be interesting to see what if any response you receive!

[sarasmom]

Do these people actually expect me to pay for the "higher education" they offer for my daughter at their socialistic institutes of liberal brainwashing?
It must be nice to work for a non-drug-free-workplace!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Nice work. By the way, what's a FAFSA?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I think many parents are negligent in not researching the situation at the schools to which they send their children. Others simply don't care, as long as the college is sufficiently "prestigious", etc.

[Texas_Jarhead]

this crap really ticks me off - the hypocrisy alone can drive you mad

[freedumb2003]

Federal Application for Financial Student Aid
(or something similar). Its what you use to request Federal Financial Aid.

I used to work at a University.

[WackyKat]

But, what kind of 'direct service' eliminates hetrosexism?

It probably involves a tub of crisco and some rubber sheets

[RedlegCPT]

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.

You go Republican Girls!!!!! I'll send you the money that I won't send to my fellow alumnae association. Tell me where to sign the check!! Outstanding work!!!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks. Even though Wells is a private college, they surely receive all sorts of federal grants, etc. Oh, and guess who showed up to talk on campus this fall?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I'm sure Wells College Republican Chairman Kristy Lee Hochenberger, khochenberger@wells.edu, and Treasurer Collen Curry, ccurry@wells.edu, would be happy to hear from you.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

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

Hey, that would make a great bumper sticker! I live in a college town and see all kinds of wierd sayings on the backs of cars. It would be nice to have something on the back of my SUV that actually made someone think.

[FormerACLUmember]

I would also bring this to the local upstate NY Republican Party. They will be irate that tax dollars are subsidizing the rats and that republicans find such blatant discrimination at this lock step, mind-numbed robot campus.

The pubbies can mobilize the removal of federal funds to this benighted backwater campus.

[aberaussie]

what's a FAFSA?

An application form the government has you fill out before they tell you that you do not qualify for any financial aid for your college student and that you should be able to pay more than half your annual net income for your child to get an education that will qualify her to work as a teacher in the public schools.