Freshmen may be decidedly more liberal in their political and social views, but less politically active than ever, according to a Higher Education Research Institute report published Wednesday.
The survey, conducted annually by U. California, Los Angeles, examined 204,000 freshmen at 270 four-year colleges. The survey showed an increase in support for same-sex marriage, with 71 percent of students in favor compared to 65 percent in 2009.
However, only 10 percent of respondents said they had worked on a local, state or national campaign during the past year, falling short of marks from past years. Previous surveys reported as much as 15 percent participating in campaign efforts in the four decades.
Kathryn Brownell, a Boston U. history professor, said the study raised important questions and points.
“In my classroom experience I would concur with the study in that students do seem liberal on social issues,” Brownell said in an email interview with The Daily Free Press.
However, Brownell said the economic debate on government responsibility and corporate responsibility is more common in political debate than social issues.
“Partially, this stems from [the] current economic climate,” she said. “With job markets on students’ minds, questions of loan structures, taxes and benefits weigh heavily.”
Ian Chinich, a third year post-doctorate student, said he has seen a lot of activism on BU’s campus, especially since the rise of the Occupy Boston movement.
“BU students are generally liberal, but it has only been recently that I have seen a lot doing activist organizing,” Chinich, a member of Students for Justice in Palestine and other clubs, said. “It was amazing to see several hundred students march to the student solidarity march at Occupy Boston.”
Despite students’ liberal tendencies, the survey found about six percent of those surveyed said they have taken part in student protests such as the Occupy movement while at college.
Aditya Rudra, a member of Democracy Matters, said she sees a disconnect between the strength of liberal views on campus and students’ political engagement.
“Many of the students that I’ve met at BU do hold liberal viewpoints on social issues,” Rudra, a BU sophomore, said. “There are certainly many students on this campus who ‘take action,’ but I would say the majority of students do not try to actively change local and national politics.”
Brownell said students’ majors and their colleges’ educational philosophies can also influence their level of political activism. A business major will have an academic experience that uses a different lens to view the world than a philosophy major.
“As a history professor, I have seen many students get involved in politics and local community organizations because they have studied past injustices and they want to exert their influence to change these inequalities today,” she said.
Students are generally liberal on almost every issue, said Andrew Caplan, a BU freshman.
“I’ve noticed [liberalism] all over campus,” Caplan said. “Most of my friends seem open to social benefits to everyone, but conservative toward how the nation’s money should be spent.”
Since it is an election year, Brownell said it is extremely important for students to consider the broader implications of their political views at such a critical time. She also noted technology’s effect on the political landscape, saying it has made it easier for people to voice their opinions.
“With a vast array of information and experts at their fingertips,” she said, “students can really take a lead during an election year to making the political discourse meaningful and informed about issues important to them.”
Though Caplan said voting is essential, he might not vote this year because he feels unsure about how to do while away from his permanent home.
“If BU can make it easier for the average Terrier to make an informed decision and provide instructions on how to vote,” Caplan said, “the percentage of registered BU voters would skyrocket [for] the elections this fall.”