The University of Southern California canceled valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s commencement speech Monday following complaints and petitions accusing the biomedical engineering director of anti-Semitism.
Provost Andrew T. Guzman announced the school’s decision in a community-wide statement Monday, writing, “When tensions are so high across the world, we must prioritize the safety of our community” and that the decision “is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation – including the expectations of federal regulators – that universities act to protect students and ensure the safety of our university community.
Guzman said the discussion surrounding Tabassum’s social media presence — which, in addition to a link to a “Free Palestine” website in his Instagram bio, was blamed by the USC Trojans student group for Israel to be that of a “student who openly traffics in anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli remarks”. “Zionist rhetoric” – has reached “alarming content” on and off campus.
“The intensity of feeling, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has intensified to the point of creating substantial security and disruption risks early on,” he wrote. . “We cannot ignore the fact that similar risks have led to harassment, and even violence, on other campuses. »
Tabassum responded to the faculty’s decision Monday, saying in a statement obtained by TheWrap that “anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a racist hate campaign because of my uncompromising belief in human rights.” ‘man for all’.
“This campaign to prevent me from speaking to my peers in the first place has clearly achieved its goal…I am both shocked by this decision and deeply disappointed that the university is succumbing to a hate campaign designed to make me keep quiet,” she continued. “I am not surprised by those who try to spread hatred. I’m surprised that my own university – my home for four years – has abandoned me.
The pro-Muslim group CAIR-LA also denounced USC’s “cowardly” decision to block its valedictorian’s speech on Monday. “The dishonest and defamatory attacks against Asna are nothing more than thinly veiled manifestations of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism, which have been weaponized against students across the country who defend human rights. man – and Palestinian humanity,” said the director of CAIR LA. » said director Hussam Ayloush in a press release.
A petition calling on the university to rescind Tabassum’s valedictorian status began circulating after she was awarded the title earlier this month. The petition criticized the Muslim student, saying her appearance would “leave an ugly scar” on the university and pointing to her Instagram bio link calling Zionists “racist settlers.”
Read USC Provost Guzman’s letter in full below:
Dear USC community,
At this time of year, all talk about back to school should focus on the tremendous accomplishments of our more than 19,000 graduates, their friends, their families, and the staff and faculty who have played such a role essential in their journey. When I walk around our campuses, I feel a palpable sense of excitement as soon-to-be graduates happily pose for photos with friends at all their favorite sites. At the same time, we recognize all of the conflict, turbulence, and pain experienced within our own community and on so many other campuses and locations around the world.
The start of the main stage at USC draws 65,000 people to the University Park campus. As with all universities, it is the most exciting week and the most important academic event of the year. We seek to host a ceremony that unites our community and celebrates the hard work and accomplishments of graduates from all of our schools and programs. Due to the size and scope of USC, back-to-school week is also the most challenging time of year for our Department of Public Safety (DPS) staff, who work tirelessly and efficiently to keep our campuses the safe places they are.
The Office of the Provost is involved in graduation in several ways, including the selection of our undergraduate major. Unfortunately, over the past few days, discussions regarding the selection of our valedictorian have taken on an alarming tone. The intensity of feeling, fueled both by social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, grew to include many voices outside of USC and intensified to the point of create substantial security and disruption risks early on. We cannot ignore the fact that similar risks have led to harassment and even violence on other campuses.
As always, and especially when tensions are so high across the world, we must prioritize the safety of our community. And as we do every year, we monitor our startup safety needs based on all the information we have and the facts on the ground. Our DPS and team of campus security experts are uniquely prepared to assess potential threats, and we have consulted with them on the current situation, taking into account everything we know about our reality, as well as the risks without precedent that we see on other campuses and around the world. We are steadfast in our commitment to maintaining and prioritizing the existing safety and well-being of our USC community in the weeks ahead, and allowing those attending graduation to focus on celebration that our graduates deserve.
After careful consideration, we decided that our valedictorian student would not give a speech at commencement. Although this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety. This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and our students, but it is also consistent with the fundamental legal obligation – including the expectations of federal regulators – that universities act to protect students and ensure the safety of our university community. It applies the same values and criteria that we have used in the past to guide our actions. This in no way diminishes the distinguished academic achievements of any student considered or selected as valedictorian. Let’s be clear: this decision has nothing to do with freedom of expression. There is no right to free speech during an opening session. The question here is how best to maintain the safety and security of the campus, period.
Many have asked about the valedictorian selection process. As has been the case throughout USC’s history, the Provost’s Office managed the process. The first step was the appointment of faculty members to the valedictorian and salutatorian selection committee. This year, the committee evaluated nearly 100 applications submitted from more than 200 qualified graduating seniors based on their GPA. The committee evaluated each application based on various criteria – which did not include social media presence – and made a recommendation to me. Based on these faculty recommendations, I made the final decision.
This summer, I will work with faculty to reconsider how best to recognize and celebrate the incredible achievements of our most notable undergraduate students. Many large universities like USC, for example, have moved away from selecting a single major from among many graduates, in favor of more inclusive processes and traditions.
At a time when there is so much discord in the world around us, it has never been more important for us to come together as a community, embrace our unifying values, and celebrate our individual and collective achievements. Commencement will be our opportunity to do just that, and President Folt and I look forward to seeing you and celebrating with you there.
Sincerely,
Andrew T. Guzman
Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs
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