Op-Ed
Put Your Rhetoric Where Your Mouth Is
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“So much diversity in one university” is a phrase that follows every Cornellian throughout their time on East Hill. From our first year on campus, we are told not just to accept differences, but to embrace them in an effort to receive a seemingly enlightened education.
However, we are not really exposed to all the variations in humanity that Cornell can offer, just those that can be nicely packaged into a brochure or a press release. Many times we say we’re attempting to understand our world, but stop once the lesson begins to hit a nerve.
That hesitancy reinforces a sad fact about Cornell: there is no greater example of our university’s historic unwillingness to accept differences than its approach to intellectual diversity. While those espousing the richness of color, gender, sexuality and nationality variations have gained major victories with
the help of the administration, proponents of alternative academic thought face isolation, and at times, outright discrimination.
Unlike in past years, however, campus leaders appear willing to confront this problem. We have a president who devoted an entire Sun column to the merits of intellectual diversity. Our Student Assembly is cleaner than it has been in years. Even prominent members of the faculty are increasingly open to engaging in a discussion that is long overdue. Now, as never before, our University seems ready to address the concerns of their ideologically marginalized students.
Thus, the new Intellectual Diversity Initiative provides the next logical step in proving that this school accepts all of its students’ differences. Based on a similar proposal at Princeton University, this five-point plan will be on display on Ho Plaza throughout the week, as well as in the “I Support Intellectual Diversity!” Facebook group. Proposed by the College Republicans, this document outlines reasonable steps that can be taken to promote a full spectrum of ideas on campus.
First, the IDI states that “students should be solely graded on the basis of their reasoned answers and appropriate knowledge of the subjects and disciplines they study.” There is an obvious lack of academic discourse on this campus, and no, Left vs. Socialist does not count. From being referred to as the “token” representative of a viewpoint by a teacher to purposefully writing the exact opposite of one’s beliefs in order to receive a higher grade, numerous students on this campus feel trapped and without an avenue of recourse for when bias extends beyond the confines of debate.
The freedom of professors to teach is recognized in the IDI, but “not to the point of political, ideological, religious or anti-religious indoctrination, or to the exclusion of other opinions or viewpoints.” It may seem to be an obvious approach to education, but this simple phrase can help protect students like Erik Jarva ’08, whose guest column last semester “Closed Doors, Closed Minds” outlines his struggles with a professor who banned him from class for disagreeing with her viewpoint. Though he received an A for the class, a simple disagreement with the teacher cost him the ability to receive the full education that he deserved.
“All faculty hiring and the granting of tenure should be based solely on their contributions to academic discovery.” Cornell is not known for its retention of great professors. Given this reality, we must commit ourselves to recruit talented teachers and researchers who are eager to engage and not indoctrinate their students. It is better to have a lesser known professor who seeks to educate and challenge his students rather than a high-profile researcher who disregards their views.
Next, the allocation of funds from the University or Student Assembly must “observe the principles of diversity of thought and promote intellectual pluralism.” This provision serves to protect student organizations across the ideological spectrum equally, thus creating a marketplace for ideas. Not everyone agrees with the principles of every student group on campus, including this columnist. However, viewpoints are not defunded in the real world, and the sooner we realize this truth, the sooner we can learn to approach ideas which may make us feel uncomfortable.
Lastly, the IDI states that “the obstruction of invited campus speakers, uncivil or violent portrayal of ideas, destruction of campus literature or other effort to obstruct civil exchange and diversity of thought will not be tolerated.” Once again, we are at Cornell to be exposed to differing viewpoints. Many speakers and events are met with protests, which is a sign of a vibrant community. However violence and physical intimidation serve to invalidate the viewpoint of the aggressor and silence the opinions of the victim.
Many critics of intellectual diversity claim that the concept is too political, with only conservatives reaping the rewards. Is protecting minorities not the point of so-called diversity talk, or did I miss something? At Cornell, no minority group causes students to confront their preconceived notions of the world more than those seeking intellectual pluralism. It is important to note that this Initiative never specifies ideology, and protects a Socialist just as much as a Republican.
Others who oppose the IDI may point out that an overwhelmingly liberal bias on campus helps them to become better conservatives, as they must quickly learn to argue their points well. However, Cornell is currently sending out graduates into the world who are exposed to only one narrow viewpoint.
We as a community should be eagerly fighting for the ability to argue and debate. What type of education does a student receive if they’re not learning anything new? Do we really want to tackle diversity or just that which we already accept? If the answer to the second question is no, Cornell should just save my tuition dollars and stop shoving its commitment to diversity down our throats.
On the surface, the Cornell community appears ready to turn the mirror on itself and discuss a taboo subject for the first time in years. As a conservative, and more importantly as a Cornellian, I am hopeful that the rhetoric and actions of the last year have created an atmosphere for an honest and thoughtful debate. So take a few minutes, read the IDI and sign the petition. Cornell University, it’s time to put your rhetoric where your mouth is.
Megan Sweeney is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at mps65@cornell.edu. The 700 Level appears alternate Mondays.