If you've been following this site for the last six months, you know Bucknell has been embroiled in a free-speech controversy--having shut down peaceful student protests in the spring. You probably also know that sadly, Bucknell's administration has not responded to pleas from ABB and others to make things right. But what you may not know is what our rival Lehigh has been up to.
That's why ABB has taken to the pages of the Allentown (Pa.) Morning Call, Lehigh's local paper. Our op-ed, signed by yours truly, features a personal "apology" to Lehigh for years of heckling and spells out what its recent free-speech record is, as well as Bucknell's. Here's how it concludes:
But mine is not the only apology needed. Bucknell's president, Brian C. Mitchell, owes one to the students and faculty members whose rights are threatened by his administration's arbitrary actions and the alumni whose degrees are being tarnished. He needs to condemn the recent censorship and proclaim publicly that all students, whatever they believe, will be free to express themselves.
Mitchell, whom I like and respect, has ignored calls to do this for six months. It is long past time he ended this insanity and unequivocally stood up for freedom of speech -- following, odd as it might seem, in the footsteps of our rival Lehigh.
Speaking as a proud alumnus, I simply do not like airing this issue on an op-ed page. But I like even less that Bucknell's leaders' failure to resolve this free-speech crisis quietly has made it necessary for us to do so. I hope they end it soon, by responding to our simple request. I'd prefer that they do it out of love for the free exchange of ideas, but if they just want to beat Lehigh...well, I'll take it.
--Charles Mitchell '05