USC removes outside speakers and honorees from 2024 commencement

The University of Southern California is pulling outside speakers and honorees from next month’s graduation ceremony after a controversial decision barring the university’s valedictorian from delivering it opening speech.

“To remain focused on our graduates, we are redesigning the Commencement Program,” USC said in a statement Friday afternoon.

The administration has named “Crazy Rich Asians” director Jon M. Chu as its speaker for the Class of 2024, according to a page recently removed from the university’s website.

“Given the high-profile circumstances surrounding our main stage commencement program, university leadership has decided that it is best to allow our external speakers and honorees to attend this year’s ceremony” , the school said. “It is important that all of our attention be focused on our remarkable graduates. We will celebrate their achievements in a way that reflects the unity we love so much within our Trojan family.”

The change comes after the university canceled valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s speech due to security concerns. She was criticized for her views on the Middle East conflict and her links to social media which her opponents said promoted “anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric”.

“I’m not apologizing for the link I put on my Instagram. What I’m saying is that I’m committed to human rights. And I’m committed to human rights of man for all”, Tabassum said after cancellation. “A lot of the campaign against me has been, for example, pretending that I don’t value Jewish lives. That’s simply not true.”

This ban outraged many students. Hundreds of people gathered Thursday afternoon near the university’s Tommy Trojan statue to protest the administration’s decision.

“One of the most talented girls I’ve ever met,” said student Kaiser Kuresi. “This university is trying to silence her.”

In a statement, USC said the decision had nothing to do with Tabassum’s background or opinions.

“University leadership made this decision in close consultation with our Department of Public Safety and threat team,” USC said in a statement. “The decision had nothing to do with the valedictorian’s background or perspective, but rather was based on a careful and holistic review of the situation from a safety and security perspective.”

USC senior Mark Rayant said he wants the university to apologize for initially selecting Tabassum.

“My main point of contention is the fact that the university would choose someone who is so outspoken on such a controversial, inflammatory and polarizing issue at this time,” Rayant said.

He also wrote a letter to Tabassum after the announcement, hoping to have a conversation.

“To try to give it perspective, I think maybe it’s lacking because it’s a very polarized and politicized issue,” he said.

A Change.org petition demanding that Tabassum be allowed to speak from the start has gathered thousands of signatures. More than 50 student organizations also signed a letter of support for Tabassum, which claimed USC had given in to hatred.

“I am just as committed to the lives of Jews as I am to Muslims or Christians, or to any other kind of identity,” Tabassum said earlier this week.

Additional details about the opening ceremony are expected to be released next week. The ceremony will take place on May 10 at 8:30 a.m.

Honorary degrees will be awarded at a future commencement ceremony or other academic ceremony.