Xavier University of Louisiana has become the second school to rescind an entry invitation to United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield due to student outcry over the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The move came days after the University of Vermont also canceled Thomas-Greenfield’s commencement speech.
Administrators at both universities spoke about pressure from students and the community over the Biden administration’s support for Israel in its war against Hamas.
“The vast majority of students want to be able to enjoy a commencement ceremony without disruptions,” Xavier President Dr. Reynold Verret wrote in a letter. He called the university’s decision to disinvite Thomas-Greenfield “regrettable” and said it decided to do so “in collaboration with Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield’s team.”
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Xavier announced Thomas-Greenfield as the May 5 commencement speaker. But three days later, after more than 1,700 people signed a petition calling on the university to withdraw the invitation, the New Orleans-based university changed course.
The student-led petition called on the university to “end the politicization of our commencement ceremony” and cited Thomas-Greenfield’s record at UNO. She has already voted against measures calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Nate Evans, a spokesperson for Thomas-Greenfield, told CBS News: “Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield looks forward to continuing to engage with young people on campuses and in other forums across the country to inspire the next generation of diplomats, as it recently did in Pennsylvania, Texas and New York. »
The ambassador recently visited a Philadelphia high school, where she held a town hall and met privately with a group of Palestinian students.
Last week, Thomas-Greenfield was not invited to speak at the University of Vermont’s commencement ceremony.
In a letter to the university community, University of Vermont President Suresh Garimella acknowledged the protests on campus. “I hear your frustration with foreign policy decisions,” he wrote, adding that the decision to cancel the ambassador’s appearance was made “with regret.”
CBS News has learned that the university formally invited Thomas-Greenfield to speak at its commencement session last summer, several months before Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Xavier’s invitation came early this year, long before campus protests erupted nationwide.
A source familiar with the ambassador’s thinking told CBS News that Thomas-Greenfield was undeterred by the protests at the two schools and was ready to deliver her speech. The source said they were also aware of the threat of protesters disrupting the commencement ceremonies, which could harm the honor of the graduates and their achievements.
Thomas-Greenfield served in a variety of diplomatic capacities during a nearly 40-year career in government. She was named UN ambassador at the start of the Biden administration.
Speaking to Dallas station WFAA on Thursday, she had a message for protesters on college campuses across the country. “I want students to know that they are heard. At the same time, we need to be clear that they cannot use violence as a way to get their message across,” Thomas-Greenfield said. He was not asked specific questions about the opening ceremonies.
President Biden is scheduled to address Morehouse College graduates on May 19. So far, the student protests have not changed plans for the start of the year at the historically black college in Atlanta.
Camilla Schick and Jane Chick contributed reporting.
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