74 Percent of College Students Support Snitching on Professors Who Make 'Offensive' StatementsBlame university administrators.
EMMA CAMP
7.21.2023
According to a new survey, a majority of college students believe that professors who say something "offensive" should be reported to the university.
The survey, from researchers at North Dakota State University, found that 74 percent of students overall supported reporting professors for offensive statements. While a majority of students from all political persuasions agreed with reporting professors, a higher percentage of liberal students were in favor; 81 percent of liberal students supported reporting professors, while only 53 percent of conservative students supported it.
The survey also found that 58 percent of students, including 66 percent of liberal students and 37 percent of conservative students, agreed that fellow students who make "offensive" statements should be reported to university administrators.
Researchers also presented students with a series of example statements and asked whether a professor should be reported for expressing these opinions in class. Students were much more likely to support reporting professors over typically "conservative" opinions. For example, 40 percent of all students (including 51 percent of liberal students and 15 percent of conservative students) agreed with reporting a professor for saying, "If you look at the data, there is no evidence of anti-black bias in police shootings." If a professor said that COVID-19 vaccine mandates are "an assault on individual freedom," 34 percent overall would favor reporting him. Thirty percent supported reporting a professor who spoke in favor of eliminating affirmative action.
But less than 15 percent of all students supported reporting professors for stating that not getting vaccinated for COVID-19 is "irresponsible," that those who oppose affirmative action are "perpetuating white privilege," or that a "civilized society doesn't need guns."
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"What I found alarming was students' willingness to report professors for stating opinions or facts. This year's survey clarified that they aren't talking about hate speech or harassment." John Bitzan, the survey's author, told The Hill. "An astounding 65 percent are in favor of reporting professors for stating opinions or facts about affirmative action, police shootings, vaccines, guns, and gender."
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Source:
https://reason.com/2023/07/21/74-percent-of-college-students-support-snitching-on-professors-who-make-offensive-statements/
