Statement by Pauline Hale, CU-Boulder Spokesperson on Student Bias Complaint Web Site

Jan. 22, 2004
Contact: Pauline Hale, 303-735-6183

• In November a group of legislators concerned about possible bias against conservative students and faculty asked college administrators to provide copies of their anti-discrimination policies. CU President Elizabeth Hoffman provided an overview of the University’s policies and practices in a meeting with Senator John Andrews, one of the concerned legislators.
• Also, college students in Colorado were asked to provide testimony at a legislative hearing regarding any incidents of perceived bias based on political views.
• Very few reports of specific incidents were provided as testimony at the hearing.
• More recently, members of the College Republicans student group announced the establishment of a Web site where alleged examples of discrimination based on political views could be posted.
• Members of the group have stated the intent of the Web site is to obtain information for their “arsenal” when they “go to the administration, the regents and the legislature.”
• As emphasized by President Elizabeth Hoffman in November, CU has very specific laws and policies about academic freedom and discrimination.
• We remain strongly committed to the free and open exchange of ideas – the very foundation of a university community.
• While the student group has the right to post this web site, we are concerned that it is not the most constructive means of addressing issues that may arise in the classroom.
• Various channels are available to students to address concerns about perceived bias based on political views. Students who feel they have been treated unfairly in the classroom or on campus may contact the faculty member himself or herself as well as the offices of the department chair, the Dean of the school or college, the Provost, the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the Ombudsman, Diversity and Equity, Department of Equal Opportunity, and Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education.
• In the words of Professor Barbara Bintliff, chair of the Boulder Faculty Assembly:
  • “Our faculty members like teaching and we respect our students. We want to make the university experience positive and enriching. Hearing new thoughts and opinions is part of the educational process. But we don’t set out to tell students how to think. We want them to learn how to think for themselves.
  • “To our students, I would say: if we have said something that is offensive, please let us know. Talk to us. Faculty don’t want to offend or alienate anyone. We are more than willing to learn ourselves, and students often are our best teachers. But please don’t deny us the common courtesy of discussing your concerns with us and giving us an opportunity to address them before posting our names on a public list.”
• In summary, we urge concerned students to utilize any of the multiple avenues available to them to resolve issues in a more constructive and effective manner.