Senate Discusses Ahmadinejad, M'ville

Monthly business was at the back of Senators’ minds at the body’s first plenary meeting of the year on Friday as members focused on the debate over Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s invitation to campus.

The meeting, which began without University President Lee Bollinger, kicked off the year with several resolutions and an update on Manhattanville.

Sharyn O’Halloran, chair of the External Affairs Committee, updated senators on the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure—a seven-month process when various city agencies listen to community suggestions and then vote on the expansion plan.
Senators passed resolutions to establish programs for a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in electrical engineering, a Ph.D. in behavioral nutrition, and a Master of Arts in oral history.

The president’s report, scheduled for the beginning of the meeting, actually concluded it. Bollinger first commented on Manhattanville, calling a recent public forum with Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and community board members “not a pretty scene.”

“We’re trying to do all we can to make sure that this [the proposed campus] is a place that’s not just good for Columbia, but also for the surrounding community,” he said.
Bollinger spent most of the time defending his invitation of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a matter of principle and a testimony to his support for academic freedom.

“We should not have ... [a belief] that says there are some ideas that are so offensive that we should not entertain them,” Bollinger said.

He explained Ahmadinejad’s appearance was cancelled last year because of “security and organizational issues. It was not an issue that speakers shouldn’t come here if their views are highly offensive,” adding, “I’m confident that there is not a single person on campus who does not detest the views of Ahmadinejad.”

While one or two senators raised concerns about the invitation and the security of the event, most supported Bollinger’s stance.

Bollinger said he hopes Ahmadinejad’s appearance begins ongoing campus dialog about the Iranian President’s controversial views.

Melissa Repko can be reached at melissa.repko@columbiaspectator.com.