[sheena12]

Originally Posted by jackmccullough

It's tough to answer your question, even for someone who has lived here for thirty-five years, because the question is so specific.

I've known a couple of people who have taught there and neither would be considered conservatives. I used to teach an LSAT preparation course there and the people in the classes seemed pretty conservative, but that's not really what you're looking at.

My guess is that the faculty at Norwich might be a bit more conservative than the average college campus, but probably not where those conservative Bible colleges are. After all, they're not teaching at those places.

Plus, if you teach at Norwich there's the option of living someplace like Montpelier, which is very liberal (and, in my view, the best place in Vermont to live), so you won't be dependent on colleagues for your total social world.

PM me if you want me to try to see if my friend who teaches there is willing to talk to you.

This is my thought. It's in Vermont, a very "live and let live" state. Yes. Norwich is probably more conservative than any other college in Vermont. However, my experiences would lead me to believe that students and faculty are their to learn and to exchange ideas, rather than to indoctrinate and close ranks.

Personally, I'd be far more cautious about teaching at a Southern, Fundamentalist college such as Liberty, Bob Jones, or Oral Roberts, than I would at pretty much any college in Vermont - or anyplace in New England.

If I were you, I'd attend the interview with an open mind. Norwich may not be your ideal position - or you may find yourself pleasantly surprised. As far as New England colleges go, it's absolutely a more conservative college. However, as jackmccullough said, there are people in the faculty who are not extremely conservative.

I do not have any first hand experience as a student or teacher, with NU. I do know someone who taught there for several years. He was a moderate and leaned Democratic. He left, not because he was poorly treated for his beliefs, but because he was given an offer at a better known university in an area that was more to his liking.

When you attend the interview, please let us know what you think.

I hope that everything works out for you!

[lawyerlooking4change]

Thanks to all for all of the thoughtful replies. All extremely helpful.

Jack: Yes, if I end up getting an offer, I would love to try and speak with your friend on the faculty before I decide whether to accept the position.

Thanks again to everyone who has replied, and I’ll provide an update as this progresses.

[GeoffD]

I had a college room mate who lived on Main Street and who had a father on the Norwich faculty. You’re not going to find many gun control advocates but I don’t think other social liberal views are going to be an issue. It’s Vermont. People are pretty tolerant. You’d be Montpelier-centric. The students will be much more right wing than the faculty or the people who live in town.

[jackmccullough]

By chance today on Facebook I was presented with a blog post I wrote about Norwich back in 2012. Here it is:

https://rationalresistance.blogspot....t-norwich.html

[lawyerlooking4change]

Thanks, Geoff and Jack for the useful information. Also, Jack—great blog post, and I had also seen the coverage of Norwich pride week, and their more recent news coverage regarding transgender accommodations, all of which I found extremely positive. I also checked our your profile on your blog post—we have lots of similar interests (Glenn Gould among them).

I had my first round interview, had a very favorable impression, and was very impressed with the people I spoke with. Will see if selected for round 2. Thanks again everyone!

[CatwomanofV]

I attended Vermont College for my graduate work. It was a non-traditional self-driving program. What was so unusual was that the program belonged to Norwich. If I had graduated (which I didn't ) my diploma would have been from Norwich. That was always a wonderment that a very liberal program was owned by the most conservative school. Norwich has since sold the programs to a school in Ohio I think.



I don't think it will be an issue. You can expect MOST people to be professional. I'm sure if you are not trying to push your beliefs on others, I'm sure MOST will do the same.



Cat