On issues such as abortion, gay marriage and religion, college students shift noticeably to the left from the time they arrive on campus through their junior year, new research shows.

The reason, according to UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute, isn't indoctrination by left-leaning faculty members but rather the more powerful influence of fellow students. And, at most colleges, left-leaning peer groups are more common than conservative ones.

After college, students -- particularly women -- move somewhat back to the right politically. [read more]

I'd say I've moved left in my overall political leanings, but that's not really saying much since I used to be right of Rush Limbaugh. I don't think my professors had anything to do with it, since most of them know better than to mention politics in class and I am distinctly unimpressed with grandstanding of any persuasion. As for the current election, Obama is hitting central Ohio much harder than McCain, though the Republican ticket is certainly not without its supporters on campus.

The Oval was a hotbed of activity today, with Guitar Hero World Tour, the Obama campaign, capital punishment protesters, crazy Oval preacher, and some sort of weather balloon all making an appearance. Maybe 60s style activism is dead, but that doesn't mean people don't care.