Campus Braces for Iranian President

As Columbia prepares to host one of the most controversial individuals on Earth at today’s World Leader’s Forum, University President Lee Bollinger meets both criticism and approval from students, alumni, and outside protesters—who are likely to flood the streets of Broadway today by the thousands—for his decision not to withdraw the invitation.

“We must ... in every instance where there is an issue of academic freedom, act on principle,” Bollinger said in Friday’s University Senate meeting. Remarking on those who said “There are some ideas that are so repellent that we should not hear them,” Bollinger told the Senate, “I think that is a very dangerous way of thinking.”

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s speech, which will be translated from Farsi into English, is scheduled to occur between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. in Roone Arledge Auditorium. The doors open at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, and those attending the event must bring a printed copy of their confirmation.

Bollinger has said he will introduce Ahmadinejad’s speech with a series of challenges to the Iranian president on issues including his denial of the Holocaust, support of terrorism, and alleged nuclear ambitions. John Coatsworth, dean of the School of International and Public Affairs, will moderate the event.

The Columbia Coalition, an ad hoc organization made up of student groups from across the political spectrum, has organized a rally starting at 11:30 a.m. at Low Plaza for students to express their opinions both about Ahmadinejad’s presence and his views.

“We are highlighting what Ahmadinejad has done and who he is,” said Ron Gejman, CC ’10 and a member of the coalition. “The rally is a collection of speakers from all different groups, speaking from any side of the issue in free discussion.”

The group will host speeches from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., then they will move to the South Lawn to watch the televised speech. Coalition speeches are planned to resume at 2:30 p.m. and last until 5 p.m. The speak-out is only open to Columbia affiliates as a CUID will be required to enter campus.

The speech, according to administration officials, will be broadcast live on CUTV (Channel 74), in Davis Auditorium in Schapiro, and on a video screen that will be set up on the east South Lawn. CTV was working to create a working live Webcast of the event yesterday.

Editorials in three New York dailies blasted the University late last week and representatives from national news outlets interviewed students on campus all weekend, though public safety did not let them inside the gate.

Lizzie Shen, CC ’11, told NY1 Sunday morning that she was disturbed by the media’s attempt “to portray us in a bad light.”

“They’re trying to ... catch us out and skew information towards why his [Ahmadinejad’s] presence is interfering with campus life,” she added.

Many critics believe that Ahmadinejad’s visit comes at the peril of the reputation of the University and that Bollinger’s invitation will lend legitimacy to Ahmadinejad’s controversial views.

“I’m gravely disappointed in one of my alma maters,” said Elizabeth Goldhirsch-Yellin, Journalism ’02, who stood behind speakers at a press conference at the 116th Street gates yesterday. “I’m going to have to think seriously about giving donations to this University in the future.”

Assemblyman Dov Hikind, D-Brooklyn, said he didn’t want to hear Ahmadinejad at all.
“You know what my dream is?” Hikind said. “That Ahmadinejad never gets into this University because New Yorkers by the thousands stop him.”

Others took pride in Columbia’s hosting of the speech, “At least our president is allowing us to hear from him and what he is doing to his own people,” said Carol Holmes, GS ’10. “I can’t think of another school where that would be allowed, so to me, as a student, I think that’s special and that students have a right to partake in that. And that’s one of the reasons I go to Columbia.”

Dana Perino from the White House responded to the controversy on Friday, “Look, it’s a free country. We wish the same were true in Iran. And if people want to attend and listen to a person who has advocated the destruction of Israel and treats his people terribly, then that’s their business.”

Police barricades were set up on Sunday to reign in the protesters, which several student leaders have said administrators are predicting could number up to 10,000. The Secret Service and Columbia public safety will be working to secure campus in conjunction with the NYPD, which said that there will be an “adequate police presence in the area.”

Parts of Broadway will be shut down to make way for the protest, but as of last night police were still unsure as to which streets will be affected—most likely the East side of Broadway at 113th to 116th with a possible extension to 120th, depending on the number of protesters.

Jim McShane, director of Public Safety, e-mailed students over the weekend about security, stating that entry into campus will be limited to Columbia CUID holders only “at various hours.” Also, all 114th street gates will be closed during the day at both Carman and John Jay Halls. The Taint Gate at 115th Street and Amsterdam Avenue will open to access South Field residence halls.

The Columbia College Student Council will be hosting a debriefing in the Broadway Sky Lounge tonight at 10 for those looking for an informal venue in which to discuss the issues raised by the day’s events.

Josh Hirschland and Joy Resmovits contributed to this article.
The reporters can be reached at news@columbiaspectator.com