BIDDEFORD — A chief criticism of higher education in America today is that the country’s colleges and universities too often thrust a liberal bias onto their students — but is there any merit to this claim?
If so, how has this progressive orientation taken hold, and is it something that should concern us? These questions and more will be explored as the University of New England hosts the next installment of its signature President’s Forum series, “Are Colleges and Universities Too Liberal?” on Thursday, Feb. 13.
The event will take place at 6 p.m. in Room 283 of the Harold Alfond Forum on UNE’s Biddeford campus. It is free and open to the public.
Since its inception in 2018, UNE’s President’s Forum has served as a platform for thoughtful discourse, upholding academia’s critical role as the ultimate marketplace of ideas. Hosted by UNE President James Herbert, the forum provides a venue for diverse perspectives on the most pressing issues of our time, allowing these conversations to unfold with civility and respect for differing opinions.
As America grapples with questions about political influence in college classrooms, the conversation is set to address the contentious issue of ideological imbalance in higher education, asking whether it impacts research, teaching, learning, and students’ political views.
“As institutions of higher learning, universities play a crucial role in fostering freedom of expression and encouraging the open exchange of ideas,” Herbert remarked. “This President’s Forum addresses an important national conversation about whether academia fulfills this role equitably. By engaging in this dialogue, we hope to deepen our understanding of how universities can ensure that all voices are heard, respected, and valued, regardless of political perspective.”
UNE welcomes four esteemed national experts to engage in this conversation:
- Samuel J. Abrams, Ph.D., professor of politics at Sarah Lawrence College and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute
- Emma Camp, B.A., assistant editor at Reason magazine
- Brandon Jett, Ph.D., history professor from Florida
- Lynn Pasquerella, Ph.D., president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities; former president of Mount Holyoke College
The panel will examine whether a shift in faculty perspectives poses a challenge to universities’ ability to foster diverse viewpoints, as well as identify ways for higher education to rehabilitate its image and ensure more families feel comfortable sending their young people to college.
Moderated by UNE Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs Jennifer DeBurro, Ed.D. ’24, the event will include ample opportunity for audience participation following the initial discussion.
This event will also be livestreamed at www.une.edu/live.
The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. We are the state’s top provider of health professionals and home to Maine’s only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts. Visit www.une.edu.
