Quick Hit

Monica Cornejo, an undocumented, tenure-tracked assistant professor at Cornell University, was arrested for interrupting conservative commentator Ann Coulter during a campus event in which she was speaking about immigration.

Key Details

• Arrest and Charges: Monica Cornejo, assistant professor of interpersonal communication, was charged with disorderly conduct after disrupting Ann Coulter's lecture titled "Immigration: The Conspiracy To End America."
• Background: Cornejo is noted as one of the first undocumented tenure-track faculty members at Cornell, with her research focusing on communication strategies among undocumented immigrants.
• University Response: Provost Michael Kotlikoff reaffirmed Cornell's commitment to free speech by reinviting Coulter, emphasizing the university's stance against the disruption of guest speakers.

Diving Deeper

Cornell University found itself at the center of controversy this week as Monica Cornejo, an assistant professor known for her advocacy for undocumented immigrants, was arrested for disorderly conduct during an event featuring Ann Coulter. Cornejo has been touted by the Cornell Daily Sun as "one of the first undocumented tenure-track faculty members at Cornell." Cornejo’s actions were captured in a widely viewed 36-second video.

The incident occurred despite Cornell’s clear intentions to uphold free speech, underscored by Provost Michael Kotlikoff’s previous statements praising the reinvitation of Coulter to demonstrate the university’s dedication to diverse viewpoints. "Having been deeply troubled by an invited speaker at Cornell being shouted down and unable to present their views, I agreed that there could be few more powerful demonstrations of Cornell’s commitment to free expression than to have Ms. Coulter return to campus and present her views," Kotlikoff stated.

However, Cornejo's interruption, which directly contradicted this policy, has sparked a debate on how universities should handle disruptions. Her arrest raises important questions about the line between protest and hindrance. While Cornejo advocated for the voices of minoritized communities, her method of protest — preventing others from hearing a legally invited speaker — strikes at the heart of what many consider to be a misuse of free speech.

This event is not isolated. Academic settings have witnessed similar disruptions, such as the infamous case at the University of Missouri where Melissa Click called for "muscle" to remove a student journalist during a protest, leading to significant backlash and eventual dismissal from the university.

Cornell’s response to Cornejo's actions, removing her from the event, aligns with a growing consensus that while protest is a protected right, disrupting scheduled speakers undermines the educational mission of institutions committed to the free exchange of ideas.