Checking the Political Pulse of the University: Findings from the 2012 SDA Religion and Social Issues Survey – Curtis Vanderwaal
Date: November 3, 2012
Speaker: Curtis Vanderwaal, chair, Department of Social Work, Andrews University; John Gavin, Chair, Department of Social Work, Washington Adventist University;
William Ellis, Professor of History & Political Studies, Washington Adventist University;
Edwin Hernandez, De Vos Family Foundations
Topic: “Checking the Political Pulse of the University: Findings from the 2012 SDA Religion and Social Issues Survey”
Venue: Chan Shun Hall
Attendance: 96
Presentation: Based on 530 surveys with 59 questions to educators at NAD SDA colleges (mostly moderate, white, married, educated, above middle age), results show 24% conservative, 50% moderate, 19% liberal, 7% other; 33% Democrat, 22% Republican, 36% independent, 9% other. In 2008, 59% voted Obama, 37% McCain, 5% for others. Concerns include health care (71%), economy (70%), education (56%), jobs (55%), & budget deficits (50%). Half favor less government, 54% want government to provide all with health care & 52% feel abortion is OK in extreme circumstances. Then Edwin Hernandez gave a 7-point response to this data & implications for future research.
