Columbia Councillor: Higher education is a vital moment and should be chosen wisely

In every generation, society faces a critical choice: construction or destruction.

Higher education is at a crossroads. As a scientist and trustee at Columbia University, I have witnessed first-hand that institutions can be threatened not only by enemies once welcomed as pillars of intellectual progress, but also by ideologies from within: frustration over creation, growth, and destruction of discourse.

The majority of my family left Iran during the revolution (I am a Persian Jew) in the face of violence, extremism, oppression and destruction. My family chose to move to the United States because it is a country of hope, freedom and opportunity. Through education, dedication and hard work, we have been able to achieve the “American Dream.” We are doctors, nurses, scientists, engineers, mothers and fathers.

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He received his PhD from Columbia. It shaped my life trajectory, opened the door to scientific discovery, and found a biotech company dedicated to treating patients with rare diseases. The experience of curiosity, exploration and relentless innovation was directly derived from Columbia University’s principles of academic freedom and leadership.

However, in the spring of 2024, my home was full of students (my kids and many of their classmates) who no longer felt safe on the Columbia campus. Their fear was not attributed to intellectual challenges or debate. This comes from threats. The protesters were many retreats, and others were encouraged by institutional tolerance and dominated the university’s physical environment. They closed classrooms, buildings and libraries.

Recently, Colombia published a report on anti-Semitism and campus climate, indicating that this chaos and destruction felt that students from both Jewish (87%) and Muslim (83%) backgrounds were concerned about expressing their beliefs, and that the majority of both religions felt unsafe.

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After expressing my concerns about anti-Semitism on campus, I became the target of certain media voices who decided to erase decades of my work, service and scholarships with the courageous strokes of Penn.

This is what these critics don’t understand. It’s easy to destroy, but we are a country of builders. Among my most proud achievements are corporate creation, research advancements, and new drug discoveries. That’s what construction means. Builders focus on innovation, problem solving and positive change, but destroyers are characterized by negativity and confusion, and strive to demolish existing systems. It takes passion, creativity and courage. To put yourself at the forefront, create and share something with the world.

That’s why I wanted to give back to my alma mater. Over the past few years I have seen how easy it is to destroy the institution, reputation, and the work of life. It’s even easier to do this from behind a computer or behind a mask. With this mask, you don’t need to be personally accountable for what you do. It is important to recognize that this destruction is attracting attention, but is temporary. Positive changes have long-term effects. My life’s work taught me that creation is generally difficult and unattractive. There are no headings. It won’t go viral. It is not done behind the mask or in the shadows of Tiktok. It requires dedication, rigor, compassion and commitment.

Columbia University has consistently served as a hub for innovators. He educated politicians, Nobel Prize winners and pioneers in medical destinations. The institute produces cancer therapy and climate models. The classroom cultivates the intellectuals who shaped the economy and peace treaties.

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The Real Columbia – My Columbia is a monument to progress shaped by a generation of human efforts. However, the monument can be destroyed and demolished. And these ongoing campaigns are not acts of civil dialogue. They were an act of exaggeration. It’s not a solution, it’s a criticism. Instead of sewing, tearing it. The world is full of destroyers. Their work is quick, loud and rarely lasts. But it is the builders-creators who will advance humanity.

This transcends Columbia University. It is blessed with moral choices to stand up to our country, especially the power to shape America’s institutions. Do we promote or dismantle? Do we empower students to think critically, find the truth and grow from it, or do we allow this new form of campus threat to silence people with conflicting views and destroy educational opportunities across generations?

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As parents, we can begin the next generation of education at home. We can teach our children to contribute positively to the world, not to destroy, but to help us build our society. This education must continue at our country’s top institutions where our youngest leaders learn to grow through diversity of opinions. We must adhere to nonviolent freedom of speech, non-implication, and willingness to listen to ideas that are different from ourselves, openly to learn.

Our educational institutions should reflect the hope, freedom and opportunities our nation offers to all of us. Let’s restructure an institution like Colombia together to ensure that hatred and confusion do not rule. Everyone feels included and respected. This is the moment that leads our generation. Buildings require courage, and as a result our courage spreads throughout America. Let’s build it again.