Columbia and DePaul

An example of leadership for a pathetic New York university

ONE RARELY LOOKS TO HALLS of academia these days - to the students or faculty who walk them, or the administrators who build them - for guidance or leadership. No wonder.

As a rule, intellectuals in politics do not provide a good mix. Columbia University proved that this week, in inviting the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to their campus.

Notwithstanding some pointed and direct questioning and comments from Columbia president Lee Bollinger, who introduced the Iranian leader at the Sept. 24 event, it was the visitor who got the better of his hosts.

In truth, when it comes to street fighting, …