Heard at Cornell – Participate Meaningfully In the Exchange of Ideas

Heard at Cornell is a column that regularly quotes important statements from Cornellians. This excerpt is taken from an op-ed by President Kotlikoff in the March 31, New York Times. It is entitled “Universities Like the One I Run Aren’t Afraid to Let People Argue” and addresses the aftermath of the disruption of the March 10 “Pathways to Peace” panel discussion in Bailey Hall.

“The impact of our universities derives in no small part from their ability to equip

students with the skills to evaluate evidence critically, consider issues from

multiple perspectives, participate meaningfully in the exchange of ideas, and

grapple with the difficult and the complex — in short, to participate fully and

capably in a modern democracy.

“Democracies are not silent places, and neither are universities. They are vibrant,

active and sometimes unruly; differences are aired, disagreements argued, voices

raised. And yes, among our nearly 27,000 students, there are some who feel

justified in violating norms of respectful interaction, who seek to advance their

own agendas by silencing individuals and ideas with which they disagree. When

that happens, we respond in ways that protect the rights of all to speak and learn.”
A video of the March 10 event can be viewed here.