Administrators at Columbia University have not yet reached a decision on disciplinary actions to be implemented on the students and attendees who unexpectedly rushed the Roone Arledge Auditorium last Wednesday night.
James Gilchrist and two other speakers from the Minutemen, a vigilante group that patrols the United States-Mexico border for illegal immigrants and states on its Web site, "Americans doing the job Congress won't do c9 operating within the law to support enforcement of the law," were cut short in their presentation last week when protestors, who jumped on stage holding signs such as "No human being is illegal," drew Minutemen supporters as they similarly rushed the stage sparking a chaotic brawl.
Columbia security, event regulators and presidential delegates ceased the clash; 350 attendees were forced to leave both the auditorium and building.
Administrators have not taken any action against individuals even though dozens of video and digital cameras recorded the brawl.
University president Lee Bollinger commented, "It's simply too early to make any judgment about whether there are disciplinary actions that should be taken, but c9 there are very long-standing procedures that we follow in these cases. This is not something we take lightly."
However, the Rules of University Conduct outline special rules for demonstrations, rallies and picketing to protect the rights of free expression.
Columbia College Dean Austin Quigley and other high-level Columbia administrators met with undergraduate leaders to discuss how to maintain open dialogue on campus.
