Former Boston University Yoga teacher Eric Lindemer displayed great courage in openly denouncing and taking action against Acting President and Chancellor John Silber’s closure of the BU Academy’s Gay-Straight Alliance and offensive comments in The Boston Globe little more than a week ago. But his resignation may not have been the most effective way to show his distaste.

Lindemer, who said he had considered resigning before because of BU’s sexual orientation policy decisions, officially resigned last Sunday night. “I knew [Silber] was a homophobe, but this to me was an attack against young people I felt was unacceptable,” he said in an interview with The Daily Free Press.

Lindemer’s public actions and statements are far more courageous than any other member of BU’s large faculty and should be applauded. His belief that Silber’s words and actions were wrong was strong enough to impel him to give up his well being and secure teaching job in protest. Though he may have been able to more effectively affect change by protesting as a continuing staff member, his gallant actions should serve as an example for all students and faculty.

It is disappointing that more BU employees have not been publicly alarmed with and offended by Silber’s comments and actions. Not only do his words hurt BU’s reputation, they are morally reprehensible and run contrary to the ideals faculty members should be fighting for. Academics should work constantly in the interest of tolerance and exploration — two things wholeheartedly discouraged by Silber’s actions this month.

Professors should be acting as role models for their students, showing them the importance of sticking up for society’s oppressed minorities. Boston University faculty members have forsaken their duties as mentors by failing to make efforts in support of the disadvantaged.

But faculty members are not entirely to blame for their inaction. Silber has created an unhealthy academic environment at BU, making those who do openly disagree with him uneasy about the consequences of their behavior.

Eric Lindemer was correct in pointing out that letters to the editor should not suffice as appropriate responses to Silber’s unreasonable edicts — words should accompany action. Boston University’s faculty should lead students in taking action against people who harm the ideological pillars of academia — tolerance, exploration and understanding.