<p>It sounds to me that what HerbDC is describing is the essential difference between a LAC and a research university. While Brandeis is a small research university and has a strong emphasis on the liberal arts–it is what it is and that is a research university, not a LAC. I for one think that the benefits of being an undergraduate at a research university outweigh the benefits of being at a LAC, but that obviously is subjective and reasonable minds can and do differ on that. That’s why both exist.</p>
<p>What HerbDC describes as “intellectual diversity” I would describe as political diversity. And its true, Brandeis is a pretty liberal place (after all, part of its mission is social justice—what would you expect?) In the late 60’s and early 70’s, people often referred to Brandeis as “the Berkeley of the Northeast”. But it would be wrong to conclude that there are no conservatives there or that a conservative would not feel comfortable or would not be listened to. They are a decided minority, but they exist. And my observation has been that, unlike many other so-called liberal schools (and, let’s face, most schools in the Northeast are pretty liberal), freedom of speech is alive and well at Brandeis.</p>