Our Commitment to Freedom of Expression

Dear Students,

Yesterday a group of students marched into a classroom in Schermerhorn Hall and disrupted a class in progress. I write to you today not because the class was taught by Lee Bollinger, University President, but because I believe it is important to clearly establish that disrupting any faculty member and any group of students in the midst of teaching and learning – literally shutting down a class in session, robs all in attendance of their opportunity to learn. Most importantly, disrupting a class – any class – undermines one of our core University values – freedom of expression.

The robust exchange of ideas and viewpoints, even when uncomfortable, allow us to learn and further develop our own thinking. The ability to hear ideas, engage with them and determine your own views is the purpose of an education. Universities have long been the hallowed ground of new ideas and dissenting opinions, none of which would be possible without freedom of expression. This value is at the heart of the mission of every University, and it must be protected.

The University Rules of Conduct are part of the University Statutes, and were adopted by the Trustees. The Rules maintain that “the University is the place for received wisdom and firmly held views to be fully tested and then tested again, so that members of the University community can listen, challenge each other, and be challenged in return.”

The Rules underscore the University’s commitment to the free exchange of ideas, and in doing so, only limit two things: the time and place and manner of public expression, and speech that presents a clear and present danger to others. There is a broad list of what constitutes either a simple or serious violation of the Rules; yesterday’s classroom disruption would be considered a serious violation because it “disrupt(ed) a University function” and “rendered its continuation impossible.” Rather than stifling protest, the Rules encourage sharing ideas and active debate, while protecting each community member’s right to listen, to learn, and to express their own ideas. I encourage you to learn more about the Rules here.

I want to acknowledge what many of you may feel, this is a time of intense emotion on our campuses. There are challenges to discuss and to overcome. After more than 18 months away we have returned as a University community, and there is much that each of us needs to express - both in and outside of the classroom. At Columbia, we expect nothing less than active participation, expression and engagement on any and every issue, especially on challenging topics. But that engagement must allow space for all opinions and never infringe on another Community member’s opportunity to learn.

Respectfully yours,

Dennis A. Mitchell (he/him/his)

Executive Vice President for University Life
Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement
Professor of Dental Medicine at CUMC