Well, I think by the 21st century, I think there are…some American…traditions. Many of his policies, and virtually all of his methods and tactics, are repugnant to the values that Hillsdale teaches.A graduate from the class of 2010 writes:But of course, I wouldn't be writing to you if I didn't believe that Dr. Arnn's (and much of the faculty’s and board's) posture toward Pence, the GOP, and this current administration weren't horribly dissonant with the College's purported values. I'm also really angry. All Rights Reserved.Hillsdale is a strange place. The tone of the student body upon hearing the announcement was depressed. A lot of us felt uncomfortable because it seemed as though there were beginning to be two different Hillsdales: the college, where we studied and learned from an incredible faculty (who really do live the ideals you mention), and the political/public figure the college was becoming, run by an administration that we worried might compromise its values in order to raise money and boost its public standing among political conservatives. So let me just explain how I think there’s a way in which an American conservative in some ways would, perhaps, have an affinity with Dostoevsky’s conservatism. I am disappointed to see Arnn continue to prop up a president who does not share these values. I don't know if any of this is helpful for you, but I sense that you're in touch with other alums who feel similarly. Arnn has a lot of skin in the game. I know many faculty quite well, and I'd put "enthusiastic Trump supporters" in the decided minority of the faculty (and the student body; more on that below). Many of us were understandably drawn to the ideals of virtue, character, and truth in which the college cloaked itself. Neither Trump nor Pence have done this, and so the fact that they hold high office (in what I regard as an unworthy manner) is not a source of honor. It is this, more than his personal moral failings, that is the core of why the current administration and Hillsdale College ought not be allies, even uneasy ones. If you can describe examples, or have any insights into it, email conor@theatlantic.com––perhaps there’s a way to bring about something better.I'm not really sure what else I can write to convince you that the vast majority of present and future alumni have been and will continue to be clear-eyed about the flaws of the institution we attended, while also being thankful for the education we received there and certain that the formation Hillsdale provides its students will continue to be a force for good.His inexcusable posture towards the Trump administration must be, as you say, driven by utilitarian concerns. No. If you publish any more on this topic, you might consider a couple additional avenues that (I say this as someone very familiar with Hillsdale's culture) would be poised to stir up impactful discussion:The rest of the College, then, includes faculty who are teaching Homer and Virgil and Aristotle and Aquinas and Shakespeare and Dante and Eliot and Lewis and Kirkegaard, and the students read these things and learn Latin and perform plays and visit office hours and compose poetry and do the other things that a great books institution does. No. In fact, I believe it's much worse than what you've outlined. I merely want to indicate that there are at least some concerned students and professors who are not at all ignorant of this tension and that the values pursued at Hillsdale College do in fact transcend the unwanted approbation of talking heads and debatably "oleaginous" politicians.Do I believe his support of the Trump administration will hurt his reputation with supporters—financial or otherwise? John Miller and Justin Jackson discuss “conservatism” in Dostoevsky’s era.
So let me just say, Dostoevsky’s conservatism is twofold: one, it’s a conservatism within the Orthodox Church; but two, you cannot divorce the church from Russia. This is the ideal form of what Hillsdale can offer to its students and share with the world at large.Arnn, like many university presidents, is the face of the College. Imprimis was founded in 1972. There are some (I know, surprising) moderates and liberals who aren't particularly Republican at all. We knew what was coming—a pandering speech of no substance or content which would throw Hillsdale onto the political stage. Rather, it is a high standard they have failed to meet.Second, it is worth noting the relationship between Arnn's political philosophy (and by extension, much of the Politics Department, the department with which he is most closely associated) and the college's policies. (As for the donor base … look at alumni donations versus overall giving. Like other alums who have commented on your article, I too once took the College's mission at face value and in good faith. I am not claiming that we do not have conservatives on campus, for I would say a large portion would identify as such.One of the more prevalent arguments in favor of Pence that I have heard on Hillsdale campus is that because of his high office, he deserves our respect and we ought to feel honored by his visit.