Universities Must Not Provide Mere Spectacle

Re: “Ahmadinejad at Columbia,” editorial, Sept. 27, 2007

The stance taken by the Crimson Staff in “Ahmadinejad at Columbia” insinuates that any action, no matter how discourteous, is laudable as long as it incites academic debate. It may be true that discourtesy among public officials gives professors and journalists more to talk about, but one thing is for sure: It won’t make the world a happier, more pleasant, or safer place to live. It is the university’s job to provide substance for thought, not spectacle. Breaking social codes by petty name-calling only creates unnecessary tension between people that hinders compromise. In section we don’t name-call to make a point, and neither should a university president.



RICHARD KRONFOL ’08

Cambridge, MA

October 2, 2007