<p>So, I have been thinking about this for awhile now, and I was wondering what people thought of where UIUC is on the political spectrum. Most schools are on the left, and considering that we are the flagship for one of the more liberal states, I would say it is fair that we are liberal…but how liberal? Walking around campus, the Obama bumper stickers are abundant and you would be hard-pressed to find a Republican candidate’s, although I have seen one or two. At the same time, we really don’t swing Champaign County that much (yes, the county goes Democrat, but only 50% to 49% in 2004). Also, we aren’t nearly as ‘activist’ as Madison or UMich. Also, the large greek influence may push us a little to the right, although I have a feeling that may be an exaggerated stereotype.</p>
<p>I did a little research to put some facts with these thoughts. Campus precincts basically all went for Obama, although some more than others. According to Champaign County Clerk, some campus precincts (primarily the ones in Urbana) voted up to 95% for President Obama, while other precincts (primarily the Six Pack) went as low as 55-65% for Obama. Now, obviously all of them went for Obama, showing that we are liberal, but everyone knew this. I feel like this kind of shows a division between the almost totally liberal Urbana campus and the Champaign campus, which is liberal but has a conservative voice that cannot be ignored.</p>
<p>What say you, based on your experiences or things you have heard? How far left are we and how do we compare to other Big Ten schools?</p>
<p>Um, First posts should be scrutinized for the trolling they usually represent. You purport to have done extensive research on precincts in and around UIUC, and are asking about its political culture…</p>
<p>And then you say “this kind of shows a division between the almost totally liberal Urbana campus and the Champaign campus, which is liberal but has a conservative voice that cannot be ignored.”</p>
<p>1) FYI. They’re aren’t two campuses.
2) Conservative voices are definitely ignored by some, and heeded by others, as are liberal voices.</p>
<p>I have no idea how we compare to other Big Ten schools in political outlook, and frankly, if that is a major factor in anyone’s decision on where to attend college they’re foolish.</p>
<p>Thank you for adding absolutely nothing to this thread. I have done some research, but I wanted to get an idea of what other members of the university thought. Just because both ideologies are present does not mean that they are equal in strength, nor does it mean that they are equivalent in proportion to all other schools. You may also want to figure out what “trolling” means, as you used it incorrectly. Thank you for wasting my time.</p>
<p>You’re welcome. As a member of the University of Illinois community for over 35 years, I don’t mean to waste your time anymore than taking the time to read your FIRST post on College Confidential as well as on the University of Illinois Discussion group has wasted mine. Why do you ask, if I might ask. Are you considering attending UIUC? Will getting a good idea of the relative strength of the conservative ideology as compared to the liberal ideology on campus make any appreciable difference in your college decision? I ask because if it does, you need to get your priorities straight.</p>
<p>I, too, am a proud member of the University of Illinois community, and I simply wanted to see what other members thought about our politics on campus. As a 35-year member, I feel like you have a lot that you could contribute to the conversation, but instead you have chosen to mock me being a new member and laugh at my question. In your 1,168 posts, I would think that you would have found that it is best to either contribute to the conversation, or not waste your time polluting the thread.</p>
<p>So being the proud member of the University of Illinois community that you say you are, you didn’t know there wasn’t a single campus, but instead stated that there was a liberal Urbana Campus as opposed to the Champaign Campus where the conservative voice cannot be ignored? Yes, I did ridicule that ridiculous statement. In addition, I did answer your question as far as I could when I disputed that conservative voices could not be ignored. Indeed they can, and regularly are by many. I have no idea where UIUC’s political balance lies in relation to that of the other colleges you mention, so I didn’t attempt to answer that. Also, I have no idea how you came to the conclusion that UMICH and Madison were more ‘activist’ than “we” are?</p>
<p>If you don’t like it when people challenge the premise of your questions, and the statements you make prior to asking them, maybe you ought to go play in another sandbox, one where the uninformed are suffered more easily.</p>
<p>I am well aware of the campus structure. It is quite clear that we are spread in two towns, and everyone knows that the division is Wright Street. Although being the same campus, there is a clear distinction between the two halves of campus.</p>
<p>I “came to the conclusion” that UMich and Madison are more activist through personal experience that has shaped my opinion. You are welcome to refute that if you so choose.</p>
<p>Oh, and I will stay right here, thank you. Have a nice day.</p>