Columbia president Lee Bollinger tries to portray the university as an oasis of free speech that is tolerant of even dictators such as Meles Zenawi who repress their people.
However, a speech freedom group named Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) has recently issued a red alert (see here) against Columbia University for a number free speech violations. In one case, the university suspended the hockey team for distributing “offensive” flyer:
After intense public criticism, Columbia University revoked its semester-long suspension of the Men’s Ice Hockey Club. Columbia suspended the club for the semester—effectively canceling the club’s entire season—for posting recruiting flyers containing language that some found offensive. FIRE, along with other groups and individuals both within and outside the university, vociferously opposed Columbia’s attack on free expression. Columbia’s Office of Athletics Communications issued a statement announcing a reduction in the club’s punishment. The club was allowed to engage in league play, but it remained suspended from its preseason and nonleague games. The club was also required to apologize for the flyer, attend “leadership training,” and remains on probation for one year. [read]
A tyrant such as Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia who jails, tortures and murders innocent people has more right in the eyes of President Bollinger than his own students when it comes to free speech!!
Washington Times associate editor J.P. Freire writes:
It’s all well and good that he [Meles] is an ally for the United States, but why should Columbia honor him with a speaking engagement?
Read Freire’s opinion piece here.