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September 28, 2004
"Liberal" bias raises concern
Student challenges unequal representation
Jamar Younger
Mesa Legend
A student concerned about the presentation of balanced views in the MCC bookstore took his case before the college government.
John Laurie addressed the student senate, Sept. 15, in hopes of getting the school to establish a policy that promotes an equal presence of political ideas on campus.
Laurie went into the bookstore Sept.1, and observed that an overwhelming amount of the books in a display of political literature expressed “liberal” point of views.
According to Laurie, he requested to speak to the bookstore manager and after telling him the stock was not unbalanced, the manager refused Laurie’s request to do an inventory.
Laurie then proceeded to conduct his own inventory and found there were 18 books in the display that favored liberal point of views, as opposed to just one that expressed a conservative view.
In his speech, Laurie described the discrepancy in books as a violation of MCC’s mission and values statement.
“Clearly the inventory of having 18 books giving one suggestion and then having one presenting a contrary perspective is not inclusive,” said Laurie.
Laurie was referring to a portion of the mission statement that says MCC will provide a learning-centered environment that is “responsive, adaptable, and inclusive.”
He continued to emphasize the importance of having “contrary perspectives” that would allow the student to be more “informed”.
“If you’re only presenting one side of the argument, then we’re not learning at all,” said Laurie.
Throughout his speech, Laurie emphasized that his intention was not to promote any certain point of view, but to expose the “unbalanced presentation of political philosophies on campus.”
Laurie also highlighted the fact that he was not a conservative and his status as a registered libertarian was not a factor in this situation.
“I am only trying to work with MCC to promote the best education the students are promised,” said Laurie, who also stated that he does not blame MCC or Follet Higher Education Group (who owns the bookstore) for the “liberal” bias.
Overall, he felt that everybody on campus could benefit from an equal presence of views.
Laurie received a mixed response from the student senate, which comprises of the presidents and vice presidents of various clubs on campus.
Joe Files, president of the Veterans Club, thought the discrepancy in books was due to the fact that this is an election year.
“There are a number of books that are on Bush and on Kerry but it’s been slanted by the media towards one or the other,” Files said.
Files, however, did commend Laurie for bringing the issue to everybody’s attention.
Sandy Downs, who represents the Crusade for Christ Club on the Red Mountain campus, agreed with Laurie and felt that equal ideas should be promoted on campus.
Alisha Bloom, president of Student Council, believed that the books could not be deemed liberal or conservative unless they had been read. She also felt that two people could have two different views of what is liberal.
Even though Laurie received a varied response from the student government, he has received support from some local and national organizations and clubs, including Noindoctrination.org, Accuracy in Academia, and Students for Academic Freedom.
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