After Leftist students disrupted and ruined a talk by Jim Gilchrist of the Minutemen at Columbia University, Columbia officials cracked down -- by barring guests who had traveled many hours to see ex-jihadist Walid Shoebat and others. How coincidental that they would choose this talk from which to bar people! Is their director of security Rashid Khalidi, their illustrious Edward Said Professor of Arab Studies?

"After Debacle, Security Tightened: Restrictions at Shoebat Event Show Public Safety's New Vigilance," by Josh Hirschland in the [1] Columbia Spectator:

At Wednesday's Shoebat event, Roone Arledge Auditorium was packed with University administrators, including Jim McShane, associate vice president of Public Safety, and at least three executive vice presidents. Two rows of fencing ran the width of the auditorium, setting apart a group of invited guests invited by the Republicans. Public Safety officers were posted at the front of the stage and at the doors. All entrants were required to present both a CUID and a ticket or reservation. Attendees had to check bags and umbrellas.

In other words, security was tight.

Before the event, University Chaplain Jewelnel Davis and Senior Vice Provost Stephen Rittenberg addressed the speakers in the Lerner Green Room.

"I don't expect any trouble from students, but if the audience starts to get rowdy or obstreperous, you shouldn't feel that you have to deal with them alone," Rittenberg said. "If there is any concern that you have, by all means let one of the organizers know, and we will be there to help. If we feel that things ... are going to be getting out of control then we will" intervene, he added.

The high level of security at the event prompted former Spectator columnist Bari Weiss, CC '07 and editor in chief of the The Current, to remark that "this is a police state."

Administrators rescinded dozens of invitations to guests of the College Republicans that members of the group could not identify. The Office of the University Chaplain made the decision to cut the list of guests presented to University officials late Tuesday from about 115 to 20. Some guests, who had come from as far away as Harrisburg, Penn. for the event stood outside during the speech.

Pamela Hall, who had her invitation revoked, said she found it "outrageously rude. The chaplain at Earl Hall is responsible for this. What kind of ill will." She added, "Once again, Columbia has shamed itself. Twice in one week."

The uninvited guests said that Shoebat tried to secure admission for them but was stopped by University officials.

"The University stands behind its decision, communicated to the sponsoring student groups at noon on Wednesday, that outside guests for the proposed and approved student event in Lerner last night be limited to 20 guests of students," the Office of Public Affairs said in a statement this morning.