Nearly one in three students are considering a college’s political leaning when applying, according to a new survey. GenZ seems to be very set in their values–for better or for worse. This raises the question: are universities becoming just another political battleground?
Students, especially those coming from a more affluent background, are willing to remove colleges from their list because the schools are perceived as being too heavily associated with either conservative or liberal ideals. This may reflect on a larger younger generation tendency to only surround themselves with people with the same belief system as them. It makes sense, given the age of intense polarization. It seems that no one can exist moderately anymore–possibly even schools.
There is an innate danger to this, however. When students are choosing because of political affiliations, campuses risk becoming echo chambers because. Incoming classes are experiencing a reduced exposure of differing views. This is problematic as an important experience in college is being exposed to people with a different background than yourself.
Education itself could also suffer. If universities allow political identity to trump academic rigor, academics weaken. If professors and classmates reiterate opinions that students already have, where is the learning?
Universities may also feel the pressure to “brand” themselves as politically leaning one way or the other. This compromises neutrality and the ideals of college bringing together people no matter their background.
On a wider scale, this shift is mirroring national political divides and intense polarization. This trend amongst students may even intensify the current climate of the United States. When you are young you are just beginning to form your political ideals, and to have young adults in a place that only provides one way of thinking can not be healthy for a unified nation.
Students do have the right to feel safe and welcomed on their campuses, and be surrounded by people that will be accepting of their beliefs. Academic integrity, however, should not be compromised by this. It may also be difficult for universities to stay neutral in such a hot political climate that is currently happening. But, staying neutral does not mean not criticizing actions that are wrong just because one side supports it.
It is important for colleges to promote open dialogue and avoid partisan branding. If higher education becomes a political battleground, the nation risks deeper division and intellectual stagnation.
