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Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

                        Robyn Morrow             Chris Elliott                        Mark Suarez
                                               John Arterbury       Caitlin Cuppernull

College students aren't extremists 

A recent survey by the Higher Education Research Institute at University of California, Los Angeles' Graduate School of Education & Information Studies has found that college freshmen's political affiliation may not accurately represent their personal beliefs. 

In the Cooperative Institutional Research Program Freshman Survey, 271,441 students entering college in 2006 were asked whether they supported a number of issues, such as homosexual marriage and abortion. 

Out of the four religious groups found to be most conservative, Baptists, Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists and "Other Christians," less than half considered themselves politically conservative or "far right." 

Of the religious groups found to be most liberal, Buddhists, Jews, Quakers, Unitarians and those with no religious preference, only about half considered themselves politically liberal of "far left." The most common response from students when asked their political affiliation was "middle-of-the road." 

While some may interpret the results as students misunderstanding their political group's beliefs, perhaps it should be considered a sign of a new outlook among college students. Those who responded "middle-of-the road" may be more accepting of other's beliefs and as a result less able to identify with the extremes on either side. 

The survey shouldn't be given the usual reaction, and passed off as college students being uninformed or simply not caring. If that seems like giving college students too much credit, they will have a chance to prove themselves this spring. 

The students will be asked similar questions to identify any transformations in beliefs that may have taken place. Judging from these results, researchers may be surprised at the little change college and peer-pressure will have on students' ideals and affiliations.