Campus Reform: Texas Tech University

Lubbock County has a reputation for being one of the most conservative places to live. With this said, one could conclude that Texas Tech University is the perfect place for conservatives to attend for a higher education. Our research shows the opposite is true.

After querying OpenSecrets.org, a website that shows political contributes, a different picture is painted for the political landscape in Lubbock, TX. 

Our research yields that 26 Texas Tech employees donated a total of $18,550 to Barack Obama’s campaign. While only 10 employees gave a total of $6,800 to John McCain in the 2008 Presidential Election.

Overall, 98 Texas Tech employees gave a grand total of $48,484 to 2008 presidential candidates. Further analysis indicated that $33,000 of the total dollars donated went to Democratic candidates, and $15,484 went to Republican candidates. 

This means around 68% of all donations went to Democratic candidates versus 32% to Republican candidates.

Freedom to donate to whomever one pleases is a right we enjoy simply by being an American.  However, is it fair that a University, who receives millions of dollars in state funding, hire professors who lean overwhelmingly towards one political persuasion? You be the judge. College students today are the future business leaders, doctors, lawyers, lawmakers, judges and professionals of tomorrow, and not offering them a fair and balanced education is denying them future prosperity by balance of power that we enjoy today.