After Ann Coulter ‘84 was prevented from giving remarks at an event Wednesday night, the University issued an official apology.
Ms. Coulter, who visited campus at the invitation of the Cornell chapter of the Network of enlightened Women, was supposed to speak about the 2022 midterm election results. However, she was unable to speak for more than a few minutes at a time due to constant heckling from protestors.
Frustrated by the time taken by security to remove disruptors and the seemingly endless litany of new interruptions, Coulter ended the event after about 20 minutes. Joel M. Malina, Vice President for University Relations, said he was “deeply disappointed that attendees at a campus event rudely and repeatedly disrupted” Coulter’s remarks. Malina also stated that the offenders will be punished.
Before Miss Coulter was introduced, the university’s Associate Dean of Students Greta Kenney addressed the full house in Myron Taylor Hall’s Landis Auditorium. After reaffirming the university’s commitment to free speech, “attendees were apprised … that anyone preventing another’s ability to speak or be heard would be … subject to removal and/or referral to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.” The disruptions began immediately. Protestors inside Landis loudly, through many means, prevented Miss Coulter from speaking until she decided to end the event.
Cornell’s Student Code lists “Disorderly Conduct” and “Disruption of University Activities” as prohibited activity (Section IV parts E and F). Thus, if Cornell wishes to punish the “inappropriate conduct” that “does not reflect the university’s values,” the Student Code allows them to do so. In total, eight college-age individuals were removed from Landis Auditorium Wednesday night.
Cornell’s actions thus far demonstrate annoyance with the disruptors, yet it remains to be seen if consequences will be in order.
Correction: An earlier version misstated the office of Associate Dean of Students Greta Kenney.
