In a time when dissent-trampling thought police reign supreme on most college campuses, we should praise the rare university official who insists on fairness and free expression. Witness Maud Mandel, president of Williams College in Williamstown, Mass. Last week, Mandel had the fortitude to reverse the student government’s malicious denial of recognition to a student group supportive of Israel.

To get recognition and permission to operate on equal status as all other student groups on campus at Williams, a student organization must meet a list of technical requirements. Once those conditions are met, recognition always has been routine — until late April, that is.