golddustwoman

I know that Hillsdale has a reputation for being largely conservative, but how is this reflected academically and socially?

Is it pretty obvious that things are kind of "bent" toward the conservative viewpoint?

I have some liberal/libertarian leanings, and I'm wondering if people are actually "open-minded" or if not always falling into the conservative group would be uncomfortable for me.

fencersmother

In my opinion, much of the faculty at Hillsdale is NOT conservative, but might be more libertarian minded (at least those I have met.). I have also met a few Berkeley educated instructors who fit that school's reputation entirely, and they make for a nice mix there.

However, I do believe that most, though not all, of the students are very libertarian and conservative, politically. There are huge discussions in the dorms though about all topics and in the classroom, no one side is dominant. Get a Hillsdale Student Handbook from admissions and check out the CVs of the instructional stuff. You'll see there are both college democrats and college republicans... college libertarians, too, though definitely not college communists.

Probably the college is predominantly conservative in flavor, and there are no abortion clinics within walking distance, and there is not 24/7 visitation between the genders. The official college line is that Hillsdale provides a "classical" education,not a conservative one, and I have found that to be true.

I think, in general, you would find the students and faculty at Hillsdale College much more "open-minded" than at say, Oberlin, or the now defunct, Antioch. You will, however, be required to defend whatever positions you elect. They are sticklers for that.

Academically: my S's Biology teacher campaigned vigorously for Jennifer for governor last year (she won). History of Civ. was a definite conservative personally but plays devil's advocate in class.

Socially: Drinking is, perhaps, somewhat less prevelent than at, say, State U., but there is still plenty of it going on. I doubt very much there is anything close to heavy drug/pot use. There are lots of dances, sports, etc. going on, and certainly lots of political issues hotly debated at all levels. I don't know what difference a political flavor would make for serious students at an LAC in their social activities. Do you think conservative/libertarian young adults don't have fun? My S is definitely a political conservative, but his roommate is a libertarian. They get along great.