Portmann, Robbie: President

If I were Southern Arkansas University’s President, I would fight to keep political views out of the class room. The teachers as well as the students come from different backgrounds. The diversity of everyone’s past allows for different political views. Some believe abortion should not be practiced while others are pro choice. The differences in beliefs accounts for America’s diversity and there is nothing wrong with different opinions among every person on SAU’s campus. These differences, however, should not come into the classroom and inhibit learning. College is where students come to receive and education. When other factors enter the learning environment, education is compromised. For example, if teachers have a firm belief about healthcare and a student has an equally but strong opposing belief, some mutual dislike and conflict may arise. When students enter the classroom they might not be able to fully comprehend the lesson because their mind is consumed with how much they disagree with the teacher’s opinions. I understand this because it has happened to me already during my first semester. I know I could learn a lot more if this teacher would not force his political views upon the class and grade my opinions wrong just because he doesn’t believe in them. Separation of politics and education should be parallel the separation of church and state. Differing opinions can raise disagreements between religion and laws; however, when separated they fall into two independent categories. Education and politics are not related and therefore should be separated also. To help this issue, I would send teachers to classes that teach them how to keep their opinions in check. I would also teach them how grade papers in a non-biased manner. They should also learn to listen to their student’s problems. I know these problems will not be an easy to rid from campus completely; however, I’ll keep fighting for it.   As president of Southern Arkansas University, I would fight for taking political views out of classrooms as opposed to classrooms where learning is not taking place.