Columbia President feels the heat; admits receiving 15,000 emails opposing leftist professor

[Stop Legal Plunder]

At an invitation-only alumni reception in Washington, DC, yesterday, Columbia University President Lee Bollinger defended his refusal to fire Nicholas deGenova, the controversial professor who called for a "million Mogadishus," while admitting the public outcry, including 15,000 emails, was hurting Columbia's reputation.

In response to an angry alumnus' question about the controversy and its negative impact on Columbia's reputation and alumni donations, Bollinger said that deGenova's remarks, which occured during a faculty-organized "teach-in" and included a claim that "U.S. patriotism is inseparable from imperial warfare and white supremacy," were "reprehensible," but claimed they were protected by the First Amendment.

Bollinger said it was vital for a university to stand up for academic freedom and that taking such a stand required protecting the right of academics to express their opinions, even if such includes advocating "murder," as he described deGenova's position. Bollinger acknowledged that such a stand was costly, volunteering that not only had he received the aforementioned 15,000 emails but that the volume of phone calls was keeping his voicemail full of messages from those demanding deGenova be fired.

So this Ivy Tower university president is feeling the heat. But Columbia's endowment is big enough that he's been able to ignore the pressure so far. Perhaps those sending Bollinger emails should cc them to Columbia trustees, as they have the final legal authority over hiring and firing at the university.

[kipj]

Can you list a source for this information?

[Texas_Jarhead]

"Bollinger said it was vital for a university to stand up for academic freedom [of the left and non-Christians] and that taking such a stand required protecting the right of academics to express their opinions..."

[3AngelaD]

Didn't mention how much money he raised while in DC. Hope someone took him aside after the event and explained the facts of life. The responsible alumni simply must keep the pressure on.

[HassanBenSobar]

I wonder how many emails Degenerate received? (He got a scathing one from me...)

[RushLake]

Lee Bollinger is a leftist elitist who was previously president of the people's university of Michigan. On his watch at the people's university of Michigan, the art of discrimination against white people was refined, and he is listed as a defendent in at least one of the anti-racist cases currently before the US Supreme Court.

It is no wonder that he would defend this chunk of puke professor at Columbia.

[Capitalism2003]

ahem...how bout posting the emails for the professor and his boss...again? :)

Time to pile on and get the traitor off that campus.

[Stop Legal Plunder]

More information on the controversy can be found at:
http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-derussy040703.asp

[justshutupandtakeit]

This liar knows that Columbia, a private institution, is not bound by the 1st amendment as a public one would be. Liar is he, Yoda says.

[lady lawyer]

How can a university president be so obtuse? The First Amendment has no relevance to the decision of a private university to hire or fire an employee.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Bollinger said that deGenova's remarks . . . were protected by the First Amendment.

I'm far from the first to make this remark, but it bears repeating: Bollinger and others who rely upon the First Amendment to protect De Genova are either idiots or liars.

Here's the relevant part of the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech."

Congress!! Not a private institution like Columbia. The First Amendment in absolutely no way limits Columbia's right to fire De Genova!

[Dacus943]

"Bollinger said it was vital for a university to stand up for academic freedom and that taking such a stand required protecting the right of academics to express their opinions, even if such includes advocating "murder," as he described deGenova's position."

"Columbia University President Lee Bollinger defended his refusal to fire Nicholas deGenova, the controversial professor who called for a "million Mogadishus,"

Perhaps if students started wearing T-Shirts with the Slogan "Million Columbines" these jackass SOB's would get a clue!!!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

GMTA!

[lady lawyer]

What does GMTA mean?

[Paul Atreides]

Bollinger said that deGenova's remarks, which occured during a faculty-organized "teach-in" and included a claim that "U.S. patriotism is inseparable from imperial warfare and white supremacy," were "reprehensible," but claimed they were protected by the First Amendment.

If I own a business, my employee has ever right in the world to insult my customers. However, he doesn't have the right to do it as my employee.

[thoughtomator]

Columbia is now a laughingstock, having demonstrated to the world that it lacks the basic sense to get rid of a professor that lacks intellectual honesty and a realistic view of the world.

[lawgirl]

Only 15,000??? We can do better than that!!!

[stanz]

ping

[lawgirl]

GMTA= Great Minds Think Alike and your post is smack on- I can't stand how people dont' get the distinction.

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

Bollinger said it was vital for a university to stand up for academic freedom and that taking such a stand required protecting the right of academics to express their opinions, even if such includes advocating "murder," as he described deGenova's position.

Dr. Bollinger is stupid. There is no absolute right of freedom of speech as he seems to think there is. Even Justice Marshall indicated that you couldn't cry "fire" in a crowded theater without suffering the consequences. It seems that he wants to protect De Genova from the consequences of advocating murder.