When I read about professors being afraid of their own students and changing what they teach in response to that fear, I'm struck by two things. First, I understand why they're afraid. After my decade and a half in the classroom, I can confidently add to the chorus suggesting that universities increasingly treat students like consumers. As administrators seem more concerned with enrollment dollars than students' learning, instructors receive a clear message: "The customer is always right.

Students are consumers. They do have a choice in where they attend higher education, and if they do not like the education they are receiving then they are free to transfer. That said, I think that professors are afraid of the wrong thing here. While teaching controversial topics may offend, I believe that more students will be offended by lackluster course presentations. As long as controversial topics are not rammed down anyone's throats, and people are given a structured means of responding, then I believe that professors have nothing to worry about.

I guess what I am trying to say in an ineloquent manner is that there is more than one thing to be afraid of, and under-performing is as real a fear as teaching something controversial.