Columbia is "a major forum for robust debate," right?

Columbia University is not backing down on its decision to invite Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak to their students, stating that they are "a major forum for robust debate." Odd, then, that this is a school which prohibits students from voluntarily joining the ROTC. Apparently, "robust debate" allows for the expulsion of a particular student group for its viewpoints.

Columbia won't cancel Ahmadinejad speech
AFP

NEW YORK - Columbia University said it does not plan to call off a speech by Iran's president despite pressure from critics including the City Council speaker, who said the Ivy League school was providing a forum for "hate-mongering vitriol."

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is traveling to New York to address the United Nations' General Assembly. He was scheduled to appear Monday at a question-and-answer session with Columbia faculty and students as part of the school's World Leaders forum.

City Council speaker Christine Quinn called Thursday for the university to rescind the invitation, saying "the idea of Ahmadinejad as an honored guest anywhere in our city is offensive to all New Yorkers."

Quinn said Ahmadinejad was coming to the city "for one reason - to spread his hate-mongering vitriol on the world stage."