SIPA's New Dean: Your Thoughts?

By TMP Editors:

John Coatsworth, previously SIPA's acting dean, has now been named to that position permanently by Columbia President Lee Bollinger. The Columbia spectator wrote an article about the appointment here and about Coatsworth and the Ahmadinejad controversy here.

The New York Sun reacted to the appointment with a small placeholder article here before an editorial came out against Bollinger's decision here, for "activism on behalf of enemies of Israel" and criticizing Coatsworth for a protest he staged in Las Vegas against the State Department for denying visas to visiting Cuban scholars.

So what do you think? Please try to keep your comments civil and based on your direct experience interacting with Coatsworth.

Comments

[Eamon]

It's a decision I'm happy about. I find it bizarre that there's supposedly a controversy about Coatsworth along the lines the Sun paints. I interviewed him for the student newspaper at SIPA and found him to have a warm, balanced demeanor and the carefulness of a diplomat. I saw him moderate the Ahmadinejad talk and he was far from conciliatory (though by no means bombastic, like Ahmadinejad's introducer).

More pertinent to his new position, I've seen Coatsworth listen and respond to what students have to say, and speak up for them at town hall meetings. I'm glad he's overseeing the curriculum change, which has nothing to do with all the political stuff.

[William R. Barker]

I'm not a student at SIPA (nor a member of the administration), but with respect...

What the HECK is going on at SIPA when the editors of this blog feel the need to add "Please try to keep your comments civil" prior to opening the cyber-floor to comments?

Anyway... not being part of the official community, that's my only comment. I wish Mr. (Dr.?) Coatsworth well.

BILL

[Liat Shetret]

I would have liked Dean Coatsworth to address the fact that the entire SIPA building was wall-papered with Naqba week posters while posters for other events (say the Israel Cultural Hour for example...) were TORN down.

Lionpac posters calling for dialog were also removed while the Naqba posters persist all over the building.

While students should have the freedom to post up fliers for events, the SIPA administration with Dean Coatsworth leading the way, should denounce this kind of crude and absolutely unacceptable behavior, particularly in the INAF building.

Moving forward, I hope that Dean Coatsworth will work with faculty and students towards facilitating a culture of tolerant discourse that aligns with the spirit of balanced academic debate.

The Sun article confirmed my own personal experience with Dean Coatsworth during his moderation of the Meirsheimer & Walt lecture last semester. He had read two of my questions (which were submitted anonymously) but restated them loosely - in a way that allowed them both to spin them and reframe them to fit their general message.

There was a reason I had written my question the way I did, and I didn't appreciate being censored by Dean Coatsworth!

I wish him best of luck in his new position.

[john]

Liat, why does it bother you that the whole school was full of Naqba posters? Would you react the same way if the school was full of posters of Israeli events? I dont think so.

I think you should exercise some tolerance before we jump into conclusions that the Dean should do it....

[Mohammed Goldman]

John - I think Liat's comments were related to the removal of the posters to other event (including the israeli event she mentioned) and not as much about having the Nakba posters around. At least that's how I read it. Maybe you should give her the benefit of doubt before accusing her for not being tolerant when she's calling for "tolerant discourse". Just my opinion.

[megan]

John I think Liat rightfully condems the relentless anti-Israel vandalism that takes place at Columbia whenver Israeli events are advertised.

It is bizarre, and sad, to think you wouldn't.

The fictional flip side scenario would be, of course, condemned by everyone.

But then, public self-criticism, has never been absent in Jewish or Israeli circles.

[William R. Barker]

"...vandalism that takes place at Columbia..."

Perhaps instead of investing resources in website redesign TMP could sponser a fundraiser for more security cameras!

(*GRIN*)

Kidding... kinda.

BILL

[John]

Welcome Meg!

I noticed that whenever you have the opportunity to attack Palestinians you're the frontrunner in this blog! Keep up the good work but focus on the upcoming finals as well!

[William R. Barker]

John,

WHERE exactly does Meg "attack" Palestinians?

BILL

[Megan]

lol, John,

I don't "attack" Palestinians...
but if there weren't so much Israel / Jewish smearing at Columbia, which seems to be the underlying "cause" in the "Palestinian Cause" - there would be no need to write so muc h on the topic.

[Editor]

The Editors have unpublished some recent comments because of their off-color nature. Any future comments of that sort will also be deleted. Please do keep this forum one that can be used for constructive engagement.

[Editor]

To all commenting:

The subject of this post is Dean Coatsworth. Any off-topic comments will be deleted.

TMP Editors

[Liat]

FYI - The New York Sun also posted up this piece today about Dean Coatsworth's appointment - highlighting some reasons for opposition:

http://www.nysun.com/news/new-york/cuba-hands-voice-opposition-columbia-dean

[William R. Barker]

Editors:

What do YOU folks think...???

BILL

[john]

New York Sun is not a newspaper it is just a tabloid! which serious reporter would go to a blog and make reporting out of comments!!! This is a joke!!!

the article in the New York Sun is so biased. Im wondering who directed the reporter to write stupidities that insult the field of journalism as well.

THIS IS CALLED SERIOUS AND RESPONSIBLE REPORTING!

[Arianna]

Dear "John"

Judging from the quality of your writing above - I don't think you could get a job writing for the NY Sun - or any English language media organ, for that matter.

:>

[William R. Barker]

FYI - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121062988605186401.html?mod=hpp_us_pageone

Again... reacting to the things I read on this website from an outside perspective...

Arianna does in an off-hand way address an important issue: Recruitment.

It seems to me that one of Dean Coatsworth's missions should be to explore and perhaps reexamine student admissions policies/standards and also, along the lines of the WSJ story I provide the link to, Coatsworth should look at faculty/staff diversity issues from the standpoint of thought diversity, not simply color, gender, sexual orientation, spiritual affiliation, or other of the more usual "diversity" measures.

BILL

[William R. Barker]

Just in case the above posted link doesn't work for those who don't don't have direct access to WSJ.com subscriber articles... the link is to:

Help Wanted:
Lefty College Seeks
Right-Wing Prof
CU-Boulder Bid to Endow
A 'Conservative' Chair
Leaves Both Sides Uneasy
By STEPHANIE SIMON
May 13, 2008; Page A1

[John]

Dear "Arrianna":))

I speak four languages, Swahili, Kiswahilli, Siswati and Kismati. When you learn to speak these languages maybe you'll get a real job as a reporter instead of being a "blogger".