Unlikely Spirit

Even days after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Columbia on Monday, the discussions of free speech and appropriate forms of debate continue on campus and in national media outlets. In the many editorials published across the country and on the Internet, as well as in the varied student appearances on news channels, much of the focus has been on scrutinizing University President Lee Bollinger's remarks or on handy sound bytes like Ahmadinejad's dismissal of Iranian homosexuals. But looking back, it is also important to reflect on some of the controversial World Leaders Forum's unintended consequences and successes. The legacy of the forum should not be how many mentions Columbia received on Fox News but rather the incredible student turnout and University spirit—albeit unconventional—that emerged.

Given that the administration did not notify much of student body about Iranian president's visit with enough time to allow them to gain coveted seats in the auditorium for Ahmadinejad's speech, some students were concerned that they would be shut out from one of the most important events in University history. But the administration responded adequately to the student's needs, providing a big screen and speakers that projected out over the South Lawn and another satellite screen in Shapiro. From most vantage points in front of Butler, students were able to both hear and see everything that was happening, and the large crowd was no less engaged than the few students inside Roone Arledge Auditorium. The greater accessibility of this part of the World Leaders Forum helped to make the event an exercise in community, as students, professors, and employees alike were able to share in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

When the administration makes an effort to connect the student body to important community events, there is a significant response from students. The University should make further efforts to broadcast speeches and sporting events for students. This is especially pertinent for the World Leaders Forum, which hosts many highly anticipated speakers. While students can view clips of the speeches online, it improves Columbia's status as a global university when the student body has the opportunity to view and reflect on addresses as a large group.

The large number of members from Columbia's community who were able to take part in Ahmadinejad's visit contributed to a rare moment of unity that is often lacking at the University. Although different student groups may have been protesting various aspects of Ahmadinejad's presence on campus, much of the community was united in its interest to hold the Iranian president accountable. That such a controversial world figure would be questioned at our University was seen by many to be a point of pride—a perspective that manifested itself in the respect the crowd displayed during the event. Students listened quietly, applauded at times, but displayed impressive decorum even at some of the more incendiary comments. While this fact is missing from much of the event's media coverage, it was a significant display of free assembly and the other values according to which the World Leaders Forum is put together.