Does the Christian university live up to its conservative Republican image or has the tide shifted toward the middle?
By J.J. Bowman
Assistant News Editor
The old question, WWJVF —Whom would Jesus vote for? — has been difficult to answer. While the debate on whether Jesus’ teachings align more closely Republicans or Democrats, few will argue that this Christian university has leaned toward the right.
Nevertheless, Pepperdine may not be as Republican as you think after shifting recently from a highly conservative campus to a conservative one open to debate from its boisterous Democratic contingent.
Pepperdine hit its perceived apex of conservatism in 1998, when former university president Dr. David Davenport pursued Judge Kenneth Starr, famous for his role as independent council investigating former President Bill Clinton, for the position of dean of the School of Law and Public Policy.
Starr had planned to take the deanship, but decided to withdraw his name after his work investigating Clinton exploded with the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
Dr. Chris Soper, chair of the social science division, told the Graphic after the Starr pursuit in 1998 that his acceptance at Pepperdine could have hurt Pepperdine’s image.
“Whether it’s true or not, it’s adding to the public perception that Pepperdine is a conservative, right-wing school,” he said. “Pepperdine does not want to be seen as conservative as it is being perceived … it wants to be seen as more moderate.”
Seaver Dean Dr. David Baird supported the notion of landing Starr, although he disagrees with the judge’s politics.
“There would have been nothing that would have catapulted us to the top of the list (more) than to have someone of his stature as dean,” he said.
Because he took the label of ultra-partisan when the Clinton investigation took an unexpected and divisive turn with the Lewinsky scandal, the connection with Starr ended up besmirching the university, Baird said.
“It was a wonderful strategy that just went sour.”
Since the Starr saga, some professors say the political tide has shifted toward a more centrist course to the credit of President Dr. Andrew K. Benton.
“Benton has been very middle of the road,” political science professor, and outspoken democrat, Dr. Stanley Moore said.
Baird also said that Benton’s attempts to be evenhanded has worked toward increasing Pepperdine’s national stature.
Benton said in an e-mail interview that although he has worked toward bringing Pepperdine toward the political center, it is not something he discusses widely.
“Pepperdine has friends on both sides of the political ‘aisle’ because they see through labels to the good that we do,” he said.
Benton also said that it is possible for a Christian university to have political ties, provided the school does not venture to the extreme in either direction.
Moore, however, disagreed.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate for any school, Christian or otherwise, to have a political affiliation,” Moore said.
Dr. Calvin Bowers, professor of communication and director of Equal Opportunity, said he also sees danger when politics play into a Christian mission.
“To what extent can an institution of higher learning have an identity with a political party and implement its mission? That’s especially true if it’s a Christian school,” Bowers said. “Political involvement should not take priority over the Christian mission.”
Moore said he has heard students question both political parties’ compatibility with Christianity.
When he first arrived he frequently heard the question, “how can a Christian be a Democrat?” But 10 years ago that question reversed to ask the same things about Republicans, he said.
Benton said one’s religious beliefs don’t necessarily lead to any specific political philosophy.
“Our ‘Christian affiliation’ informs our values and how we maintain ties to our heritage, but I am not so sure that our faith predicts what we do in the polling booth,” he said.
Regardless of the religious implications involved with having political ties, Baird said opportunities for open debate at this conservative-leaning institution are more available than at universities considered more progressive.
“We are much freer on this campus … to state alternative points of view than you would be at Berkeley or UCLA,” he said.
Political correctness strangles much of the serious discussion that can happen on many larger, liberal campuses, he continued.
“Dissenting views are not welcome,” Baird said. “There’s less academic freedom on a campus like Berkeley than there is on a campus like Pepperdine. I know that’s true.”
Some say this freedom has contributed to the campus with more diverse political points of view over the last few years.
Pepperdine has recently added numerous clubs broadening its political spectrum. This election season, both the College Republicans and the Young Democrats club have been active in several campaigns.
Each organization sponsored trips to see their gubernatorial candidate speak in the area and each group was prevalent at the election night headquarters of Bill Simon and Gov. Gray Davis.
Furthermore, although the university does not recognize the organization, a Gay, Lesbian Straight Alliance meets on campus, and last week, a pro-life club launched at Pepperdine.
Moore said he believes Democrats are on the rise at Pepperdine. Whereas he estimated that 90 percent of the student body was Republican when he arrived in 1973, now that number has probably dropped to around 60 percent, he said.
“We’re seeing things now we wouldn’t have seen in the early ‘70s,” he said.
Baird’s efforts establishing the Dean’s Lecture Series in 1998 have brought a number of prominent Democrats. Michael Dukakis, the liberal former governor of Massachusetts and Democratic presidential opponent to President George H. W. Bush in 1988, spoke at the first installment in large part to Baird’s Republican friend, Larry Bumgardner, who teaches at the School of Public Policy and served as the executive director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.
The cooperation between Republicans and Democrats alike to put forth the Dean’s Lecture Series is a good example of Pepperdine’s openness for debate, Baird said.
Last semester, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., spoke to an enthusiastic crowd in Elkins, although Baird said he heard many professors grumble at the invitation to let her speak. Those grumbles, however, were no worse than when Democratic professors objected to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas speaking at the law school.
Despite its national reputation as being a Republican haven, Pepperdine’s Democratic presence is still strong.
“There are a whole lot more Democrats around here than you think,” Baird said, referring to the faculty.
The only faculty member holding an elected position is Democratic school board member Dr. Mike Jordan. Jordan also ran for U.S. Congress and earned the support from then president and ardent Republican Davenport.
Such support explains why professors and administrators from across the political spectrum can work together respectfully.
“I’ve never felt my political perspective was squelched here at all,” Baird said.
November 14, 2002