May 2, 2024 |
To The Editor The Cornell Daily Sun 39 West State Street Ithaca, NY 14850 |
Re: Cornell Free Speech Alliance Responds to Martha Pollack’s April 29 Message to the Cornell Community |
The Cornell Free Speech Alliance commends President Pollack’s efforts to accommodate the speech rights of students on campus during these past few weeks, regardless how vehement the speech may be and without regard to viewpoint. It likewise commends her efforts to uphold University policies that relate to non-speech activity such as erecting tents and blocking other members of the Cornell community from moving freely on campus, while addressing unprotected speech such as true threats against others. It should go without saying, but campus open spaces are for the entire community. While speech must be protected, so must the ability of all students, faculty, and staff to use the campus and to simply move around without being exposed to violence or blockades. Balancing these rights is tricky, and so far, the President has been thoughtful in her attempts to strike that balance. |
The CFSA encourages the administration to take no sides on political disputes, but to continue addressing threats to students, attempts to intimidate them, or physical barriers that keep them from their studies or other business without injury. The CFSA also encourages the University to avoid capitulating to attempts to extort personal gain from the University in exchange for peace as Northwestern University reportedly did earlier this week. In the end, the University will set the tone for upholding speech rights while protecting the community from harmful non-speech activity and should calmly stand firm for the rights of all students to obtain the education for which they have paid so dearly. Understanding all sides of an issue is a tenet of liberal arts education and key to human success. CFSA, as concerned alumni with a particular interest in free speech and open inquiry, stands ready to pitch in to preserve the University we all love. |
Sincerely, |
The Cornell Free Speech Alliance |
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