Calling all conservative students

One stereotype of college students and those of a college age, is that they are largely a liberal minded people both politically and socially. They tend to gravitate toward the ideals of the Democratic or Independent political parties.

According to a survey done by Harvard’s Institute of Politics, 57 percent of college students say that they are liberal or lean liberal, compared to the 31 percent who are conservative or lean conservative.

According to my observations I would say the student body of Boise State is more or less along those lines. Support for gay marriage, abortion and Democratic leaders during the previous election have been seen in abundance on campus. The Arbiter, the independent voice of the students of Boise State, threw their support behind then presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

What about the percentage of students on campus who are more conservative? Do they not deserve a voice? If The Arbiter is to accurately represent the student body, shouldn’t a portion of its staff writers, editors and leaders be from the conservative side? Of course it should. However, many articles in Opinion section of The Arbiter lean toward the liberal end of the spectrum.

Despite what you may think, The Arbiter isn’t at fault for this.

Shannon Morgan, Editor-in-Chief of The Arbiter said, “Our staff is very diverse; I would say my section editors are split right down the middle ideologically. Writers in the Opinion section are definitely liberal leaning, but that’s because, despite my best efforts, I could not convince conservatives to write. I’ve aggressively tried to recruit conservatives because I believe it’s vital to show as many perspectives on an issue as possible. I want all students to feel represented in our paper. I’m desperate to balance the Opinion section out.”

Morgan is worried about the shortage of conservative writers returning in the spring.

“Next semester I won’t have any conservative writers in Opinion. That’s very concerning to me. The perception is we have a “liberal” political agenda we’re promoting, when the reality is we don’t have the writers.”

There is a mouthpiece here that needs voice, a microphone to the students who might go unused.

“If anyone feels their voice isn’t being adequately represented in our newspaper, I encourage them to join our staff or suggest a writer for me to recruit that will,” Morgan said. “Use your First Amendment right of free speech and be heard. That’s what The Arbiter is here for – conservative, liberal, Republican, Democrat, Communist, Socialist, Anarchist, traditionalist, whatever . we welcome you here. A free diverse press is vital to a healthy democracy.”

Though we conservative few might be the minority on campus, we need not go quietly into the night. Stand up for what you believe in and make your voice heard.

KRIS DONNER
Arbiter Journalist

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