Typical?

I don't know if this is typical of the college experience today, but suspect it is.  This episode involves, well, our (Amherst) big college rivals, Williams College.  The rivalry goes back to the 1820s and the founding of the Amherst (from Williams expatriates?).  And it extends to today, where both annually battle not only on the athletic fields, but also to see which will be rated the best liberal arts college in the land.

But I am distressed, that at such a renowned college, one identified with the best American has to offer in undergraduate education, such close-mindedness occurs.  Apparently, some speakers with contrary, even reprehensible views were invited to speak on campus.  Last fall, the anti-feminist speaker had her invitation rescinded, but the college president asked the student body, which had taken back its invite, to be willing to listen to other ideas.  More recently, another speaker who has expressed reprehensible views (in speeches and in print) was invited.  But, this time, the president un-invited the speaker.

Here are two articles, which may have to be copied and pasted into your browser(s):

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/02/22/williams-college-blocks-controversial-speaker-appearing-campus?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=7af3f26ed0-WNU20160226&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-7af3f26ed0-198545941#.VtCBXJ0uFV4.mailto

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2016/02/22/the-death-of-free-speech-at-williams-college/

The issue is explained pretty clearly.

This is odious on many counts.  "Free speech is a value I hold in extremely high regard," wrote the college president, except for speech I don't hold in extremely high regard.  How like a current school administrator!  That students are allowed to determine which viewpoints they hear is blasphemous to the concept of a free marketplace of ideas, which is what a college is supposed to be, isn't it?  It's easy to accept ideas we like or, at least, don't hate.  Listen to these ideas and build the defenses against them!  This is not an issue of a right of free speech, either.  President Falk (I at first typed "Flak," a parapraxes?) might want to read the First Amendment.  Of course Williams is well within its authority to cancel any speaker(s).  Its not "Congress (shall make no law......)" or any branch of government. It is a private college.  That's not at question, certainly not as "a right of free speech."  The question is should the speaker(s) be canceled.  One might argue, convincingly, that allowing such a speak merely gives a platform for the dissemination of abhorrent views.  Indeed it does!  Expose those views for being despicable.  Shoot them down!