How Liberal is SCU?

painca
Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:27:02 +0000

First of all, let me correct turtlerock on something: Jesuits are NOT conservative thinkers. They’re extremely open minded and very much interested in challenging the status quo. Even politically, they tend towards the left. Good example: SCU has the largest scholarship program for undocumented immigrants who grew up in America. It is paid for entirely by donations from our Jesuits. (Also, as an aside, there are no TAs at SCU.)

The campus is fairly conservative in the way that it dresses and acts, so you might get some funny looks if you show up to class with five nose piercings and green hair. There are people like that, but they are in a distinct (and, given the nature of the campus, visible) minority.

Politically, SCU is pretty subdued. People are informed, but not really passionate. You’re not going to see an Occupy SCU protest here, or any other kind of protest. This is one thing that I wish was a little different. Fiscally, it definitely leans conservative, but stops comfortably before rampant snottiness emerges.

As far as socially, SCU is very much representative of the Bay Area’s attitudes. The campus seems to be as gay friendly as any. Disability Resources seems to have a pretty good program for those with disabilities, but I’m not well informed on this matter.

As far as drugs goes, well, this is the Bay Area.

If you’re looking for a heavily political environment to go to school in, something along the lines of a Bard or New School, this is DEFINITELY not the place for you. It is possibly even a little less political than the average school. But if you’re worried about closed minded/intolerant social attitudes, I don’t think you’ll have an issue.