Mike Springer's column ("Know symptoms, be aware of your political health," July 13) demonstrated a blatant misunderstanding of the political climate in some of the university's more left-leaning departments.

Specifically, he noted that professors brand conservatives in political science and women's studies classes if they speak.

In my time as a student, I took several women's studies classes. I only wonder if Mr. Springer has had a similar educational experience.

If so, he might have avoided such a generalized statement because women's studies professors recognize the diversity of students' opinions and structure their classes in a way that fosters that diversity.

In every women's studies class I took at Penn State, the professors always encouraged debate as a way for students to perfect their critical thinking and public speaking skills.

Although I am probably more liberal than most other students, I learned a lot from my conservative classmates (as well as my fellow liberals) who spoke up, such as how to process my thoughts, communicate my opinion effectively and react to theirs in a constructive manner.

I hope that Mr. Springer will consider this and perhaps take a women's studies or political science class.

It might strengthen his conservative beliefs, but it also might cause him to re-examine his beliefs. Who knows?

Mr. Springer, you never know how you truly feel about something until you try it.