A former University professor fought against teaching political correctness as he patrolled the University Seal near Williams Hall Monday morning.

Robert Zeller left his job as professor of sociology last year after he felt he was denied his right to start a class called “Political Correctness: Totalitarianism American Style.” He now teaches the course online at yorktownuniversity.com.

Because he cannot teach the course here, he sent its message by handing flyers to passing students and decorating the Seal with three signs condemning feminism, multicultural courses and affirmative action.

“(University faculty) want you to leave with a particular political model in mind,” Zeller said.

Zeller said he surveyed his students when he was a professor here, and found that 80 percent said they would write a pro-choice argument if asked to write an essay on abortion, although only half admitted they were pro-choice.

Many students do not voice their actual opinions on sensitive topics for fear that political incorrectness will hurt their grades, Zeller said.

Zeller made a list of 138 sentences he believes students would be to afraid to say in classes such as women’s studies and ethnic studies.

The list of phrases included “Married couples are better at raising children than lesbians,” “Cancer is a disease, alcoholism is not” and “Affirmative Action equals Jim Crow.”

“Do I agree with all the (138) statements? No,” Zeller said. “But do I think a student should feel free to say them? You bet.”

Gary Lee, chair of the sociology department, said he doubts the reliability of many of Zeller’s surveys, as he often uses his own students. Lee said Zeller’s students could feel pressured to respond the way he wants them to.

“He is difficult to disagree with,” Lee said.

However, Lee and several other members of the sociology department did disagree with Zeller when they rejected his course.

Zeller said faculty were afraid of the risk involved with the course, in which students read works by Thomas Sowell, Christina Hoff Sommers and other controversial authors.

Lee said the department’s reason for rejecting the course was because Zeller’s proposal was “very bad.”

“It was dealing with a very controversial subject, but only presenting one side of it,” Lee said. He added that the course had little to do with sociology.

Zeller had plenty of criticisms for University faculty.

“They’ve made this place into a knowledge and opinion cartel,” he said. “(Education here) has moved more towards propaganda.”

Lee responded that Zeller has yet to give the department the name of a specific teacher who discourages students from voicing politically incorrect views.

“Professor Zeller has been making this complaint without any specifics,” Lee said.

Lee also said Zeller denied the option to revise the proposal and represent it. The course could have worked, Lee said, but only with major revisions.

Lee doubted Zeller’s willingness to compromise. Zeller himself, however, was not available for comment on the subject.

Though Zeller never revised his proposal, he pushed for it for about five years both before and after presenting it to the board in 1996, Lee said.

“It was a long battle before I threw in the towel,” Zeller said.

Though he comfortably lives on money from his online course and part-time professor position at Kent State University, Zeller said he did not enjoy leaving his tenured position and hurting several of his friendships in the process.

“I would’ve preferred an alternative solution,” he said.