SA R55 (2025-2026): Condemning the University Administration’s Use of Programming to Platform Individuals Implicated in War Crimes

Rejected by the President

• Resolution:
  SA R55 (2025-2026): Condemning the University Administration’s Use of Programming to Platform Individuals Implicated in War Crimes
• Day:
  March 19, 2026
• Action:
  Rejected by the President
• Summary / Notes:
• File Attachments:
• Text Attachment:

  Dear Zora,

  Thank you for conveying SA Resolution 55: Condemning the University Administration’s Use of Programming to Platform Individuals Implicated in War Crimes. I must reject this resolution, which unacceptably seeks to curtail freedom of speech on Cornell’s campus, thereby limiting the scope of knowledge and ideas available to students at Cornell. 

  As stated in the university’s Expressive Activity Policy: “Cornell’s commitment to ‘any study’ means that it embraces the freedom to pursue ideas wherever they lead. Vindicating both principles, Cornell protects freedom of inquiry and expression as fully as possible, bounded only by the imperative to ensure the civil rights and equal membership of all Cornellians, the importance of protecting health and safety, and the responsibility to safeguard the university's core operations.”

  Despite the expansive allegations contained in this resolution, the Pathways to Peace event held on March 10, 2025 fell firmly within the bounds of protected speech at Cornell. The speakers, all individuals with significant high-level government experience who were recommended by a panel of faculty experts, expressed divergent views on matters of substantial current interest, providing an important historical framing of current events.

  Hosting thoughtful public exchange on highly contentious topics is an important way for Cornell to provide students with opportunities to engage in civil discussion and debate—activities that are key to the function of both a university, and a democracy. Exposure to controversial ideas and individuals does not “create a hostile and coercive academic environment.” Neither does inviting former politicians to discuss issues within their expertise constitute exposing students, in the words of this resolution, to “state propaganda and moral revisionism rather than rigorous, ethical inquiry.” 

  Rigorous inquiry requires exploring an issue from all sides, without a predetermined conclusion. Yet this resolution, although partially phrased in generalities, objects on ideological grounds to even exposing Cornell students, in a discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to the perspective of a former Israeli Foreign Minister. Here I must note that this resolution includes not only logical fallacies and unsubstantiated assertions, but also clear indications of political bias.

  Finally, SA Resolution 55 asks the “University administration” to establish standards to determine who is permitted to speak on campus, and indicates that such standards are necessary for “student safety.” In my view, both the notion of establishing criteria for acceptable speakers, and the assumption that exposure to controversial speakers endangers students, are deeply troubling and reflect a fundamental misunderstanding of both the purpose of a university education and the role of free speech in a democracy. 

  Indeed, I see this resolution by the Student Assembly as a regrettable attempt to further the notion that there is virtue in silencing speech with which we disagree. Any attempt to restrict the sharing of perspectives—whether by shouting down speakers, disrupting events, or imposing political litmus tests on invitations—is anathema to the principles and purpose of our university, and has no place in our community. 

  Cornell is an academic institution, with a mission of seeking truth and advancing knowledge through education, research, and engagement. A robust exchange of viewpoints enriches us all; when some are permitted to decide what others are permitted to hear, we are all left the poorer. 

  Sincerely,

   

  Michael Kotlikoff

  Michael Kotlikoff, V.M.D., Ph.D., Sc.D. (h.c.)

  President and Professor of Molecular Physiology

  Cornell University