As for VP Morales's conduct and that of the organizers, it's no different than how I was treated when I tried to attend events organized by Black Family, the Muslim Students Association, or whatever the Women's student association was called back then. Or when Garson and his friends wanted to attend Al Sharpton's speech in the mid-1990s. It's a little sad, but not surprising. Colleges worry about their liability more than their image of academic discourse and want to make sure there's no trouble.

I look at this whole episode as an attention-grabbing exercise by a weak department chair. And it worked, but it's over. Now, how do the Israel advocates on campus respond? They should have their own event, also supported by the poli. sci. department, this time with Israeli spokespeople, business leaders, ambassadors, whatever. And invite all the media to see that it's an open and public forum for debate and education, in the highest spirit of academia.

(1) Organize your own event with the poli. sci. department's "endorsement." There's also the Judaic Studies department. From what I remember of my time in BC, there were plenty of pro-Israel events where our speakers could pontificate without opposition. It was also common practice to have a counter-event to each event. For example, we had an Israeli Independence Day carnival, which galled the Arab students. They had their own event or side protest. Everyone got to express their views. So, do your own counter event.

(2) My last year (semester) at BC I did after spending a year in Israel. It was good for perspective. In 5 years, this will all seem very silly and petty. Don't let it consume you. I lost a lot of precious time in college focusing on "controversies" like this. In the "real world" none of it matters. Today, 12 years after I left, no one knows what me and my friends did for the school. Our newspapers, protest signs, election flyers and security reports are consigned (at best) to the library archives, or more likely the dustbin of history. Our blood was literally on the wall outside of Roosevelt Hall. Today, the wall isn't there anymore. So, enjoy college, take a stand where you feel passionate, but don't let it take over your life. More important to get ready for the world after college.

(1) Organize your own event with the poli. sci. department's "endorsement." There's also the Judaic Studies department. From what I remember of my time in BC, there were plenty of pro-Israel events where our speakers could pontificate without opposition. It was also common practice to have a counter-event to each event. For example, we had an Israeli Independence Day carnival, which galled the Arab students. They had their own event or side protest. Everyone got to express their views. So, do your own counter event.

(2) My last year (semester) at BC I did after spending a year in Israel. It was good for perspective. In 5 years, this will all seem very silly and petty. Don't let it consume you. I lost a lot of precious time in college focusing on "controversies" like this. In the "real world" none of it matters. Today, 12 years after I left, no one knows what me and my friends did for the school. Our newspapers, protest signs, election flyers and security reports are consigned (at best) to the library archives, or more likely the dustbin of history. Our blood was literally on the wall outside of Roosevelt Hall. Today, the wall isn't there anymore. So, enjoy college, take a stand where you feel passionate, but don't let it take over your life. More important to get ready for the world after college.