James Applegate is a professor of astronomy at Columbia University and a former chair of its astronomy department. His research interests include stellar physics, cosmology and numerical simulations. He earned his doctorate in physics at Stony Brook University and was a Bantrell Research Fellow at the California Institute of Technology.
DI has documented statements by James Applegate on Education, Free Speech, and Media, among other topics. Read the quotations, original sources and related cases below.
Role at the time: Columbia astronomy professor and Academic Freedom Council member
Condemned
Statement summary
Applegate says he disagreed with canceling the panel and was surprised and disappointed. The Columbia astronomy professor declines to condemn CODA as an organization, citing what he calls a vicious atmosphere on campuses and on the political left.
“rather surprised and disappointed”
Open source (opens in a new tab)A Free Speech Group at Columbia Canceled an Event About Free Speech Over 'Cornell 7' Article ControversyInterviews with Eli Noam, John McWhorter and other participants
Why we used this label
Applegate rejects the cancellation. His refusal to condemn CODA as an organization does not change his position on the decision.
Columbia Open Discourse Alliance canceled a press-freedom panel after the Sundial published its Cornell 7 essay. CODA cited survivors' participation and safety. Critics challenged the cancellation; faculty advisers gave qualified assessments of that decision.
