Thread: Another email sent regarding Columbia University

http://media.www.columbiaspectator.com/ ... lisher.com

University to Send Letters To Protesters
Violators to Be Notified Of Charges This Week
By Chris Duncan
Issue date: 10/13/06 Section: News

Students identified as being in violation of the Rules of University Conduct last Wednesday will receive letters informing them of possible charges this week, according to a campus-wide e-mail sent by University President Lee Bollinger.

The statement, sent Thursday morning, addressed measures the administration is taking in the wake of the brawl during an Oct. 4 speech by Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minuteman Project. This is the second e-mail in a week to come out of the Office of the President regarding the event.

The e-mail from Bollinger sent last Friday focused on his view that the protesters' storming of the stage had breached University policies concerning a speaker's right to freedom of speech. By contrast, Thursday's e-mail highlighted several areas in which the administration is responding to the controversy.

Bollinger cited discussion with students and administrators on the balance between civility and freedom of speech at Columbia. After meeting with leaders of various student groups and the University Senate, he added that he was "deeply impressed with the thoughtfulness of our students and their commitment to share responsibility for developing our basic principles as a University."

David Judd, SEAS '08 and president of the International Socialist Organization, said in an e-mail that Bollinger's message was "a retreat a little from his earlier comments about 'brutishness' and a 'most serious breach.' ... However, it's still very problematic. There's still no condemnation of the Minutemen, a racist, violent group, either in general or specifically for their actions at the protest."

Bollinger's e-mail also discussed the administration's continuing investigation and the beginning stages of possible disciplinary proceedings. According to the e-mail, Senior Vice Provost Stephen Rittenberg, who is heading the investigation, will send out the letters this week informing students that they may face punitive measures as a result of their actions.

Rittenberg could not be reached for comment, but Monique Dols, GS and a member of the ISO who has publicly acknowledged her role in the incident, said that she has yet to receive such a letter.

"I don't think we'll learn actual charges until we talk in person," Judd said. "We would want to talk as a group, not let the administration split us up."

As he had done in his first e-mail, Bollinger urged patience in the proceedings.

"I have noted before the need not to prejudge the actions of any individuals; the University rules have established standards and procedures that provide for a thorough review and hearing to ensure that all members of the community are treated fairly," Bollinger wrote.

Bollinger briefly mentioned investigating actions by people unaffiliated with Columbia. Earlier this week, Univision footage of the event online revealed an unidentified man kicking Martin Lopez, CC '09, in the head. The same man is seen in photos printed in a June issue of the Village Voice that covered a different showdown between Minuteman supporters and opponents.

"Those whom we find to have committed violent or disruptive acts last Wednesday ... will not be allowed on campus again," Bollinger said.

Tanveer Ali contributed to this article.

Originally Posted by PinestrawGuys

I used their site to send a letter supporting the Minutemen and College Republicans. I thought it was poetic justice...

Pine, I was taking your suggestion to post off their site..but then I noticed at the top it says, "I Support the Columbia Anti-Minutemen Protesters". If they only go by the Subject Line, and not the content...they'll not only miss your comments, they'll just count it as a 'vote' for the other side...don't you think?