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One step forward, two steps back at Columbia
Last fall, student activists at Columbia University shut down a speech by Minutemen-founder Jim Gilchrist when they stormed the stage. After months of media pressure and public outrage, Columbia has censured several of the students involved--who in turn are claiming that Columbia's disciplinary process did not proceed in a fair or reasonable manner.
In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, Bollinger defended the proceedings. "Under the published 'Rules of University Conduct,' Columbia University has a long-standing and very specific process for disciplinary actions involving students," he wrote. "Those independent procedures have been followed in cases arising out of the events of last October 4. If the rule of law is to mean anything, it is vital that we respect the results of the system of rules we live under."Many of the disciplined students have criticized the school for what they described as an arbitrary and drawn-out disciplinary process.
David Judd, CC '08 and president of the International Socialist Organization, said yesterday that Bollinger's comment missed the mark in addressing complaints about the disciplinary process. Judd, who received a disciplinary warning on Monday, said that the rules were ambiguous and did not force the University to clarify the charges to students or reveal evidence in advance of the hearing.
"They didn't disclose the evidence until the day of the hearing," Judd said.
This is not the first time that Columbia has come under fire for failing to respect students' due process rights. Columbia is right to pursue disciplinary action against the students who violated both university policy and the law when they shut down Gilchrist's speech. But the university really should be working hard to ensure that its disciplinary procedures respect students' rights. Anything less is irresponsible and, in this case, hypocritical. If the students' accusations in this instance are correct, Columbia has some explaining to do.
UPDATE: John K. Wilson agrees that there are some due process issues with Columbia's handling of the case.
Posted by acta online at March 29, 2007 08:44 AM
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Comments
"This is not the first time that Columbia has come under fire for failing to respect students' due process rights."
Exactly how could Columbia possibly violate anyone's right to due process of law? Are you confusing Columbia with SUNY Manhattan or something?
Posted by: Reader at April 2, 2007 11:38 AM