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Administrators should not punish protesting students

Students of all ages around the country have been voicing their opinions about the issues surrounding the war with Iraq. We can walk out, protest and chant because it is our right. But now a university has decided that they have the power to censor it.

Elizabeth Monnin, a senior at Tufts University in Boston, had her Senior Award for academic achievement and leadership revoked after participating in a protest during President Bush’s speech at the campus on Feb. 26. The protest drew a crowd of more than 4,800 students, faculty and administrators.

Monnin’s rights may not have been taken away, but she was punished for exercising them.

It was the first time the award has been withdrawn in the 48 years that the honor has been given out.

Lawrence Bacow, president of Tufts, was not involved in the decision concerning Monnin.

The action was taken by the Tufts University Alumni Association.

The association gives out 12 Senior Awards every year to students “who have excelled academically and who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in campus and/or community activities,” according to the alumni association’s Web page.

Monnin, who is a double major in women’s studies and peace and justice, had fulfilled those requirements during her years at Tufts. Monnin was chosen for the award in part because of her reputation around campus as a political activist. She was part of the Feminist Alliance, organized many demonstrations and was a very vocal student for various causes.

What did the association expect from a student majoring in peace and justice? But apparently opposing the president was too much.

When Bush began talking about the 1991 Gulf War, Monnin allegedly made an obscene hand gesture toward him. However, she denies the accusation and there is no proof that it occurred.

It should be noted that Tuft’s endowment — which currently stands at $677 million and goes toward such things as new labs, facilities and faculty — relies on alumni. During the last capital campaign, alumni contributed about $200 million. So it would be safe to say that it is important to keep these people happy.

After Alan M. MacDougall, president of the alumni association, received several complaints from alumni regarding Monnin’s actions, he asked the committee to reconsider Monnin’s award. MacDougall said that his reason for doing so was because Monnin’s involvement wasn’t the behavior appropriate for a leader. He said that quality leaders are supposed to listen to other opinions and hear what people have to say.

Well, if those are the reasons MacDougall chose to take back her award, then the leadership of the association itself is questionable. They didn’t support Monnin’s opinion, and they didn’t want to listen to her. So they took her award away. What kind of leadership example is that?

This is a staff editorial from The Columbia Chronicle at Columbia College. This column was distributed by U-Wire.