The University of Southern California shook up its back-to-school plans again Friday, announcing the cancellation of a commencement speech by filmmaker Jon M. Chu just days after making the controversial choice to ban the student valedictorian speaking.
The private university in Los Angeles announced Monday that it was canceling valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s speech at the May 10 ceremony due to security concerns.
Tabassum, who is Muslim, has expressed support for the Palestinians in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, and university officials said the response to her selection as valedictorian had “taken on an alarming tone.” They did not cite any specific threats.
The university’s decision was praised by pro-Israel organizations, but condemned by free speech groups and the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Students and faculty marched on campus Thursday in silent protest against the university’s decision.
Now, university officials say they are “rethinking” the entire admissions program.
“Given the high-profile circumstances surrounding our main stage opening program, university leadership has decided that it is best to release our external speakers and honorees from this year’s ceremony,” said l university in an unsigned statement released Friday.
“We have spoken with this exceptional group and hope to award these honorary degrees at a future commencement ceremony or other academic ceremonies.”
Chu was scheduled to deliver the keynote speech at the May 10 ceremony.
He graduated from college in 2003 and has since directed films like “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Wicked,” an adaptation for the Broadway musical that was released this past year.
More than 65,000 people are expected on campus for the launch, including 19,000 graduates.
“Even though this should have been a moment of celebration for my family, friends, teachers and classmates, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices subjected me to a racist hate campaign because of my belief uncompromising in human rights for all. ” Tabassum said in a statement earlier this week.
The war between Israel and Hamas poses a challenge for universities, under pressure to preserve free speech and open debate, and campuses are expected to be put to the test as commencement speeches begin in the weeks future.
On Thursday at Columbia University, New York police destroyed an anti-Israel protest encampment and arrested more than 100 demonstrators.
Most of them were charged with trespassing at the Ivy League facility.
Several students involved in the protest said they were also suspended from Columbia and neighboring Barnard College.
The school said it was still identifying the students involved in the protest and added that more suspensions were forthcoming.
“Students have the right to free speech, but they do not have the right to violate university policies and disrupt learning on campus,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. who said university officials asked the city to remove the encampment.
New York Post
