Colorado Springs – A University of Colorado regent ignited a feisty board debate Wednesday when he said CU lacks intellectual diversity and graduates too many students who are civically illiterate.
“Right now we’re not preparing students to go out and participate actively in a democracy,” said Regent Tom Lucero, who wants the university to strengthen its core requirements to ensure students take American history and government courses.
But other regents argued that courses on global concepts are just as important.
“We have to understand problems globally,” Regent Gail Schwartz said.
Lucero’s support for putting the political buzzwords “intellectual diversity” in CU’s strategic plan sparked the debate.
Lucero and Regent Jerry Rutledge said they have received complaints from students who feel intimidated in class. Lucero estimated he gets one or two complaints each month, mostly from conservative students in Boulder.
Other regents said there is no concrete evidence that CU professors are teaching with a liberal bias. Schwartz called it an “urban myth.”
Lucero said he is frustrated after trying for three years to help a CU-Boulder classics professor establish a Center for Western Civilization. They are awaiting dean approval to offer a certificate for students who take a group of classes on American history and policy.
Regent Cindy Carlisle said it’s a struggle across the country to open such centers because they are perceived as conservative, something she wishes to “depoliticize.”
Staff writer Jennifer Brown can be reached at 303-954-1593 or jenbrown@denverpost.com.
