Spring Break
Study: Students comfortable expressing opinions
USTAV YADAV
Issue date: 9/3/08 Section: News
Some students on campus feel they can express their opinions freely. Other students say they can't.
A recent survey was conducted by the Board of Regents in which 1,200 students at 33 university campuses in Georgia participated via e-mail about whether their views on subjects such as religion and politics are respected in classrooms.
The survey states most students can express their opinion openly about these topics in their classrooms.
"Students can form their own opinion and challenge their professor's view," Noordin Tharani, a senior from Athens, said.
Tharani took a class about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He said his professor, Mia Bloom, an associate professor of international affairs, encourages a discussion on the problems that both sides face.
"Never was one side discouraged," Tharani said. "Everybody was encouraged to express their viewpoints."
John Newsome, a sophomore from Atlanta, said restricted expression is not a prevalent issue.
"Most professors are very fair when they talk about religion and politics," Newsome said. "The bottom line is professors treat a controversial issue fairly. They walk a tight line."
However, not all students said they can openly express opinions on certain issues.
According to the survey, one in five students said they have taken a course in which they had to conform to their professors' view to get a good grade.
"In English class, I have to write what the professors expect," said Erin Stewart, a sophomore from Braselton. "Overall, I never run into a problem expressing my views."
The survey indicated many students don't wish to disagree with their professors. Only about half of the respondents said it is important for professors to challenge students' beliefs and only 65 percent said it was important to debate different points of view.
"People do not bring up their views," said India Smith, a sophomore from Atlanta. "You just take what the professors say ... You have to keep their views in mind."
A recent survey was conducted by the Board of Regents in which 1,200 students at 33 university campuses in Georgia participated via e-mail about whether their views on subjects such as religion and politics are respected in classrooms.
The survey states most students can express their opinion openly about these topics in their classrooms.
"Students can form their own opinion and challenge their professor's view," Noordin Tharani, a senior from Athens, said.
Tharani took a class about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He said his professor, Mia Bloom, an associate professor of international affairs, encourages a discussion on the problems that both sides face.
"Never was one side discouraged," Tharani said. "Everybody was encouraged to express their viewpoints."
John Newsome, a sophomore from Atlanta, said restricted expression is not a prevalent issue.
"Most professors are very fair when they talk about religion and politics," Newsome said. "The bottom line is professors treat a controversial issue fairly. They walk a tight line."
However, not all students said they can openly express opinions on certain issues.
According to the survey, one in five students said they have taken a course in which they had to conform to their professors' view to get a good grade.
"In English class, I have to write what the professors expect," said Erin Stewart, a sophomore from Braselton. "Overall, I never run into a problem expressing my views."
The survey indicated many students don't wish to disagree with their professors. Only about half of the respondents said it is important for professors to challenge students' beliefs and only 65 percent said it was important to debate different points of view.
"People do not bring up their views," said India Smith, a sophomore from Atlanta. "You just take what the professors say ... You have to keep their views in mind."
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