Editor:

I'm looking forward to graduating in May, and will likely find myself missing much of what I have experienced here at the University of Arizona. What I will not miss, however, is the constant hail of value-laden statements made by many of my professors over the past several years.

I'm talking specifically about the politically biased and discriminatory statements I have been forced to endure while sitting in classes that I paid to be enrolled in. I think I speak for many students here at the university when I say that I don't care to hear the politically biased views of my instructors, especially when those views are expressed as direct attacks on my personal beliefs. What I care about is receiving the proper education I paid for and deserve; that is, nonbiased instruction which will allow me to make my own properly informed decisions.

Telling students that they are dumb, evil, insensitive, or comparing them to Nazis (which are only a few of the comments I've heard from instructors) because of their political affiliation and beliefs is nothing if not a case of discriminatory partisan harassment. When instructors make such intolerant statements in class, they achieve nothing. Students become resentful and disinterested, and it makes it difficult for them to believe factual information an instructor may present once such statements have been made. What's more, it does not set a good example for students. An instructor who speaks with disrespect about a student's beliefs gives permission to other students to behave similarly. This can create a hostile environment for students and is not conducive to learning. In addition, given that the instructor's own beliefs have been made clear, students who do not share the instructor's beliefs may feel intimidated or indifferent about participating. Furthermore, a student receiving direct attacks from their instructor can never be quite sure that he or she will be graded fairly when it's time for the instructor to assess their work.

Some instructors seem to believe that it's all right to make political digs in class as long as they make it clear that they were just joking. In fact, "I was just joking" seems to be the common defense for the instructor who's politically harassing comments get questioned by the keenly aware student who is not afraid to ask the instructor to qualify his or her fallacious, ad hominem remarks.

Consider a statement made containing racial epithets in it. Just because the statement might have been made jokingly does not mean that it was justifiable. Similarly, just because a statement is made under the guise of a joke does not mean that it won't be found offensive. Value-laden statements that are politically biased to one group or another cannot simply be dismissed because, as some instructors contend, they were meant to be funny.

Have no misconception, partisan harassment in the classroom is no different than any case involving sexual, racial or cultural discrimination and should not be tolerated. For those who disagree, I can only suggest that they sit back and reflect again. I will not be surprised if in the near future we see a student interviewed on CNN explaining how it came to be that he or she won a landmark Supreme Court decision against his or her instructor for partisan harassment. That student, however, will not be me. I am too proud of the UA and the things I have accomplished here to tarnish its reputation, and the reputations of the many fine instructors who truly do value the diversity of this student body.

The classroom is not a place for instructors to campaign for their own personal political beliefs. Instructors who want to campaign should run for office and do so where it is appropriate. Not in the classroom.

Michael H. Vaughan
philosophy senior