I am writing to set the record straight with respect to the invitation to Ann Coulter ’84 to speak on campus. Having been deeply troubled by an invited speaker at Cornell (any speaker) being shouted down and unable to present their views, I agreed that there could be few more powerful demonstrations of Cornell’s commitment to free expression than to have Ms. Coulter return to campus and present her views. Shielding students or others in our community from viewpoints with which they disagree, or filtering campus speakers based on the content of their presentation, undermines the fundamental role of a university. To that end, I have worked with the Federalist Society at Cornell, the Cornell Political Union, the Heterodox Academy Campus Community at Cornell and other Cornell organizations to sponsor such a presentation. It is my hope and expectation that Ms. Coulter will deliver her remarks in full and will be met with civility and respect from the Cornell audience.
