To the Cornell Community,
We are a group of students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, postdoctoral researchers and community members — more than 500 people in total — who have signed a collective letter expressing support for President Kotlikoff in light of recent events. Our perspective differs from what has been primarily represented in previous articles.
We believe that the strength of an academic institution lies in its ability to host the world’s most difficult conversations. This requires two things: leaders willing to show up and community agreement on the boundaries for civil engagement.
Two weeks ago, President Michael Kotlikoff attended a Cornell Political Union debate on the Israeli-Palestine conflict. This is precisely the kind of direct engagement we should demand from University leadership, the willingness to step into a room, acknowledge a divide and listen.
However, the subsequent events, where individuals pursued the president and then surrounded and obstructed him while he was in his vehicle, represent a breakdown of the rules that protect us all. While the right to protest is a cornerstone of Cornell’s values, there is a fundamental difference between a vocal demonstration and physical intimidation.
If we characterize the obstruction of a vehicle and the pursuit of an individual as ‘peaceful protest,’ we erode the safety of our entire campus. Likewise, if physical harassment is permitted to become a standard tool of activism, we don’t just threaten one individual; we threaten the very possibility of future discourse at our institution, for any cause, any group and any leader.
This is not a matter of siding with a specific policy or person. It is about whether Cornell remains a place where any member of our community (student, faculty or staff) can move freely without fear of being surrounded or harassed. We cannot demand that our leaders step into the room and listen to the tough conversations if we create an environment where it is physically unsafe for them to show up.
We stand in support of the University’s Student Code of Conduct and the safety of all its members. We urge the Cornell community, across all backgrounds and perspectives, to reject the tactics of intimidation and recommit to the principles of safe, respectful and rigorous debate.
Sincerely,
Guest authors are people who submit pieces to The Sun and undergo the same thorough editorial process as any Sun staff writer. The Sun does not endorse the views of any guest author. If you would like to get in contact with the author of a Guest Room article, please use the undersigned author's email provided at the bottom of the article.
The Cornell Daily Sun welcomes any and all submissions of guest columns and letters to the editor for review. Please visit this website for information on how you can submit as a guest author to The Sun: https://www.cornellsun.com/page/join-the-suns-opinion-section. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact us at associate-editor@cornellsun.com.
