My Feb. 11, 2026 copy of the Sun arrived and I read it with interest, as always. While I was reading, something occurred to me: The administration, not the students, should run the University.
It seems as if students at many of our universities expect to dictate policy to faculty and administration. Students have a right to express their opinions, as does any other American. They can petition, peacefully protest and express their opinions in the press like anyone else. However, if the University does something of which they disapprove, welcome to the real world. You do not often get your way.
When student protest becomes violent or disruptive to the educational mission of the University, those responsible should face the same consequences as in the real world. They should be prosecuted, suspended or expelled. The University should not tolerate acts of vandalism, assault of fellow students or disruption of the mission of the University. It costs a fortune to go to Cornell, and no one should be allowed to keep students from getting the world class education that they came for.
Part of the function of a college education is training students in the life skills they will need to function in their respective careers. College is not high school. The freshmen that were at the top of their class in high school are now with thousands of overachievers and it is time to grow up fast. College is a good place to learn that you are not the center of the universe, despite what your parents or guidance counsellor told you.
There are millions of intelligent people in this country, and they are entitled to their opinions the same as anyone else. Among this group, students have absolutely no special right to be violent or disruptive when someone disagrees with them. That is an important lesson to learn before you graduate. Try being violent or abusive at your law firm or corporation and see what happens.
Students should go to Cornell, exercise their rights, be outstanding, strive for excellence and graduate. As alumni, they should exercise their rights, be outstanding, strive for excellence and make a positive difference. That is my opinion.
Bradford Garrigues Sr. '77 is an alumnus of the Nolan School of Hotel Administration. He can be reached at bga7347@gmail.com.
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