To the Editor:

Re: “Rally Protests Hamas Rule, Calls For Peace,” Opinion, Feb. 24

Regarding the ongoing tumult over the recent vandalizing of the Gaza display on the Arts Quad, while this writer offers no view on the merits of the terrible situation in Gaza and Israel, one must ask why the Cornell University administration has elected to politicize the Arts Quad in the heart of the campus in contravention of its own rules and regulations that expressly prohibit outdoor displays and postings? (See: the Office of the Dean of Students’ website for the official posting policy guidelines at: http://sao.cornell.edu/SO/postering.php.)

Over the last few years I have seen numerous — and often extensive — displays staked into the ground along the walkways of the Arts Quad by student organizations espousing various political or charitable causes. Upon inquiry I have been informed by the administration that there is now a process by which an administrative committee can waive the posting prohibition on a case by case basis upon application by student organizations.

The recent vandalism of the Gaza display is an inevitable consequence of this waiver process and it is inexplicable why the administration would choose to turn this beautiful quadrangle, one of the jewels of the campus, into a site for political controversy. Furthermore, this waiver process places the University in the position of picking and choosing which student speech will be permitted on its grounds, which may well lead to further incidents and/or litigation brought by groups which are denied speech rights granted to others.

And, of course, signage on the beautiful and bucolic Arts Quad is just plain ugly. Will Cornell next permit similar postings on Libe Slope, the Plantations and other outdoor areas? It would seem far better for the administration to end this ill advised waiver process and enforce its logical rules as written. I would welcome an administration justification (or renunciation) of this waiver policy on this editorial page.

Let civil political discourse and debate flourish on campus in all appropriate forums, but, please, not outdoors on Cornell’s beautiful grounds.

Peter J. Miller ’81, law ’85