Though college campuses are often regarded as havens of political liberalism, a new survey of university students suggests the events of Sept. 11 may have reversed some progressive sentiment.
A recent survey released at the Independent Women’s Forum last week suggests the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks caused an unprecedented swing to right-wing politics on college campuses across the country. Polling work was done by a national Republican firm, the Tarrance Group.
The surge in conservative politics on campuses shown by the poll directly conflicts with results of a separate survey released just weeks ago.
The poll by the Higher Education Research Institute at University of California-Los Angeles said 29.9 percent of college students described themselves as “leftists”– the largest number in two decades. However, this study was conducted before Sept. 11.
Seventy-five percent of college students approve of the job President Bush is doing and support his plans for the largest defense spending increase in two decades.
Jane Piliavin, professor of sociology and women’s studies at UW-Madison, believes the changes will only be temporary.
“I don’t think it is a belief change,” she said. “It is a temporary behavior change caused by fear. The country was already conservative.”
Statistics support her statement. Patriotism is reportedly on the rise, with 60 percent of students classifying national pride as “very” or “extremely” important.
Racial profiling as a means of fighting terrorism was also denounced by survey participants. Sixty percent of students surveyed condemned the use of stereotyping against people of Middle Eastern descent.
“I know that very shortly after [the attacks] there was at least some mistreatment of Arab or Muslim students, but I believe that has been dealt with,” Piliavin said. “This has led to more examination of racial profiling, and a general self-searching regard to prejudice.”
While changes in political beliefs may be temporary, according to the study, college students have shown signs of more permanent changes in the way they look at the world around them.
Most students interviewed cited the two foremost problems facing America today as the recession and the war on terror.
Gordon Scott, a UW sophomore, said he is well aware of both problems.
“I am more aware of the potential for terrorist attacks today, but am not concerned about the long term health of the economy or the nation as a whole,” he said.
While males are more concerned about the economy than females, 29 percent to 17 percent, both genders said they are confident they will obtain a job within three months of graduation.
Abby Felber, a UW sophomore, said she has a whole new outlook on life since the attacks.
“I try not to focus entirely on my classes and campus life,” she said. “Instead, I try to be more aware and have a better understanding of what’s going on in the world around me.”