Thread: Columbia students in Minuteman protest could be punished

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ ... 1429.story -

Columbia students in Minuteman protest could be punished
December 22, 2006, 6:33 PM EST


NEW YORK (AP) _ Students involved in disrupting a recent speech by the anti-immigration founder of the Minuteman Project could face disciplinary measures, Columbia University President Lee Bollinger said Friday.



Bollinger also said that several people unaffiliated with the university who jumped on stage while Jim Gilchrist spoke on Oct. 4 were no longer permitted on campus.

Gilchrist had to cancel his talk after students from the Chicano Caucus armed with banners arrived and denounced the California-based project. The event, which was caught on videotape, was organized by the school's College Republicans.

In a statement Friday, Bollinger said the university had investigated the incident and taken steps "to ensure more broadly that everyone at Columbia understands and appreciates the essential ethos of tolerance on this campus."

University spokesman Robert Hornsby would not reveal Friday how many students could be disciplined or give the exact number of people banned from campus, claiming releasing that information would be an invasion of privacy and a violation of federal law. Hornsby declined to explain exactly how or why revealing the numerical information would violate any statutes.

The university said the students have been charged with breaking the university's rules of conduct. The students will meet with a dean who will decide their fate.

The punishments range from a warning to expulsion. However, the deciding dean could also choose to not sanction a student.

Spokesmen for the Chicano Caucus and Minuteman Project did not immediately return messages.

Chris Kulawik, 20, president of the College Republicans, wasn't convinced that the school would take a tough stance with the implicated students.

"We hear this rhetoric a lot but nothing comes of it," he said. "Until we see final action, we'll reserve judgment. But it's a step in the right direction to see that the administration is not burying the issue."

He declined to say if the students should be punished but said their behavior was wrong.

"It was scary to see a bunch of your peers run at you," Kulawik said. "I don't want this to happen to any student group. I don't care if they're on the left or the right if their ideas are mainstream or not. The point of the university is to have real discourse."

Previously, the Chicano Caucus said the group hadn't interfered with anyone's right of free speech and denied anyone had attacked Gilchrist.

While the interruption led to some pushing and shoving and forced Gilchrist to cut short his talk, a videotape showed no real violence.

Bollinger said additional security measures will be instituted in the future.

"It is, of course, unfortunate that such protective measures are necessary in a campus environment that depends on openness and human connection," he said. "Nevertheless, we must strike the balance between an environment that fosters self-regulation of behavior by young adults and the visible security presence necessary to ensure the safety of all participants at student sponsored events."

It's nice to see that some of the student's were banned from the campus. I hope they also go through with dealing with the others as well. These people need to be reminded that there is freedom of speech and that you can't only hear what you like to hear. What a way to be reminded of what you were taught in school.

Columbia should be ashamed of what happened and maybe next time if they can not provide security whoever feels like they may be assaulted should sue that damn school

so Hornsby says they cant release names or anything huh?? i guess he has never heard of the open records act that can get anything released