Update: Columbia President Charges Student Protestors

The New York Times has reported that Columbia University has notified students that were involved in disrupting a program of Minutemen speakers in early October that they were being charged with violating rules of university conduct governing demonstrations. The University has not released how many students were given notice.

Possible sanctions include disciplinary warning, censure, suspension, and dismissal (a bit less painful than the word 'expulsion'). Mr. Bollinger noted, as president, he is the "final avenue of appeal for those found to be in violation of University Rules."

Most likely the students involved with be given light sentences due to the political nature of the incident. If the University cracks down on the protestors, then liberal and socialist groups would respond negatively. If he does not do anything, he would have condon violent behaviour in suppressing controversial speakers. It's a shame really.

If there is concrete evidence such as video and certified statements by witnesses, a censure should be placed on the student's record. Detention or community services without any negative blot on their record is just an empty punishment.

Of course, there should be harsher punishments for non-Columbia students who try to incite violence at their events. Banning them from campus is not enough. If they show up on campus again, criminal action should be swiftly taken.

The Columbia Spectator article (dated 12/22/2006) also indicates that the notified students were charged with "simple" violations of the Rules of University Conduct. The next level of violation would have been labeled "serious."

The University also decided to move all student groups from the jurisdiction of the Student Governing Board (SGB) to Student Affairs.

Comments

Posted by: Mark Ballard
Posted on: September 24, 2007 02:25 PM

Just perusing past events at Columbia to see how consistent the campus leaders are with freedom of speech.

The speach made today by the president of Columbia wrings hallow does it not?