On Nov. 20, 2006, approximately 40 students met with the provost, the vice president for student development, the assistant vice president for student development, the director of student life and the director of campus ministry to discuss the Oct. 9 Busch Student Center confrontation between the “unnamed” professor and Rainbow Alliance members.

Both administrators and Rainbow Alliance affiliates expressed a willingness to move past the specifics of the situation. Both wanted to make sure that similar events “don’t happen again.” Both wanted to “increase diversity” on campus.

Before we plan diversity seminars and tolerance training, however-before we distill the moral from this real-life confrontation of lives and ideals, and move on-we must take a final glance back in time and ask, “Was this situation addressed properly/”

Because, like it or not, this case will set a precedent for future contentious cases involving students and faculty.

In a Nov. 9 editorial, we called for the offending professor’s resignation. And, although we respect the “re-education” he’s received-thus far, he has had several lengthy conversations with the provost, who feels the professor now “understands the gravity of the situation;” he has also written letters of apology to students at the table-we still feel that resignation is the next, logical, honorable step.

It goes without saying that the professor, and that all people, have the right to believe whatever they wish. It would be foolish, even harmful, to suggest that he change his opinions to conform to a belief system he disagrees with.

Inexcusable, however, are the place and form in which he chose to express his views. He crossed the line, virtually attacking students on their own turf. Had he chosen a more appropriate method and venue-a formal debate, a paper, a speech, a letter-his opinions may have been respected in legitimate dialogue.

Saint Louis University professors, it is your job to foster respect as well as to teach. It is not an option, but a duty. When you accepted your position, you accepted the responsibility to act as a role model for generations of emerging adults.

We, as a community, must learn from this encounter. As we move toward the holiday break, a new semester and a new year, let’s take this chance to respect our neighbors, listen to their stories, value their opinions and honor the genuine humanity we share.