Heard at Cornell: President Kotlikoff on Safely Sharing Ideas
Heard at Cornell is a column that regularly quotes important statements from Cornellians. This excerpt is taken from President Kotlikoff’s introductory remarks at the Steamboat Institute debate on October 8:
“When I talk to our alumni, even those who are decades past their time at Cornell, and ask them, ‘What Cornell has meant to them?’ The answer I hear most often is ‘Any person … Any study.’ It is a phrase that reflects not only an aspirational vision of access to knowledge, but a commitment to be a place where all people and all knowledge are welcomed. Where we might disagree with each other and ideas, but we never shut down opposing viewpoints.”
He later added:
“It takes the commitment of our entire community to cultivate a culture of openmindedness, and curiosity, and civility. A place where we aren’t afraid to disagree, to argue and to engage in fully civil discourse. And where our commitment to free expression brings with it a parallel responsibility to ensure that opposing opinions, ideas, and perspectives can always be heard.
