Jenna Welker is a TCU student athlete on the equestrian team. As a Criminal Justice and Psychology double major, she feels that her classes are open to differing ideas. She has never experienced or seen a professor shutdown a student for their discussion contributions, although sometimes there may be corrections to answers by a professor. Jenna feels that there is a good balance of different perspectives discussed in the classroom. Even when topics that are controversial are discussed, contrasting views are present in conversation. She has recognized that the majority of her professors lean left, which has influenced her, but she still feels like other perspectives are brought up. Because she feels like the classroom is a safe space, whenever professors ask students to share personal stories, Jenna feels comfortable sharing information about herself.
As an athlete, Jenna has been told that the jersey never comes off because she represents a different part of TCU. She feels that she is kept more in check about her conduct and speech in the sports setting. She stated that she would feel differently if she was not on a team. She still feels open to speak, but not as open as in the classroom setting. Professors and coaches have different responses given that they are in different environments, similarly the relationship between coach and athlete and professor and student are different. The athletic setting does not appear to be the place for free thought and expression in many ways, but the classroom certainly is in her experience.
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