USC canceled the appearance of Director Jon M. Chu and other graduation winners in the wake of growing controversy over its decision to cancel honoree Asna Tabassum’s graduation speech amid security concerns. The university announced on Friday,
In a letter posted on its website, the university wrote that “given the highly publicized circumstances surrounding our main-stage commencement ceremony,” it has “released our external speakers and honorees from attending this year’s ceremony.” “Decided to do.”
“We continue to speak to this extraordinary group and hope to confer these honorary degrees at some future commencement or other academic ceremony,” the unsigned letter said.
In March, the university announced that Chu, a USC alumnus and director of “Crazy Rich Asians”, would deliver the commencement address at its keynote ceremony on May 10, which will be attended by more than 65,000 people.
Along with Chu, tennis legend Billie Jean King, National Endowment for the Arts President Maria Rosario Jackson and National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt were scheduled to receive honorary degrees.
King will still be the keynote speaker at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism’s satellite event.
The university cited unspecified security threats in canceling Tabassum’s traditional valedictory speech after pro-Israel groups launched a campaign against her after she posted a link to a pro-Palestinian website critical of Israel on Instagram. The link contained material the group considered anti-Semitic.
But in Friday’s round of cancellations, USC did not indicate there was any security issue. Instead, he said he wants to “keep the focus on our graduates.” There appeared to be no widespread reaction against Chu, King or others.
USC declined to grant an interview about the initiation of the agreement with President Carol Folt, a representative of whom said earlier this week that she had the “final decision” on Tabassum cancellation and security matters.
Errol Southers, the university’s associate senior vice president of security and risk assurance, also declined to comment Friday.
Representatives for Chu and King did not respond to requests for comment. Jackson did not respond to phone calls and text messages. McNutt did not respond to an email.
On Friday afternoon, as other students strolled by, graduating seniors posed for photos in their caps and gowns near the Tommy Trojan statue in the center of campus. Many people said they were surprised and confused by the news.
USC junior Franco Gutierrez called the move “terrible” and “heartbreaking.”
“I didn’t think they would respond to the protest like this,” Gutierrez said.
“This is ridiculous,” said one recent graduate — who did not give her name — as she walked around campus with enrolled students.
Christina Dunbar-Hester, professor of communications, said in an email that “administrators have already embarrassed USC significantly and should apologize to Asana and the entire campus community.”
Dunbar-Hester, executive chair of the American association, said, “Many people, including me, are looking forward to hearing a full explanation (including details about safety concerns) and a way forward from our President Carroll Folt.” University Professor of the USC Chapter.
Friday’s move ended a week of intense debate over USC’s repeal Tabassum’s speech This included a campus protest attended by hundreds of people Thursday and criticism of USC by civil rights groups and politicians, including Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.
The saga began on Monday, when USC Provost Andrew T. Guzman issued a campus-wide letter citing anonymous threats that came shortly after the university declared Tabassum a recognized speaker and scheduled speaker. Guzmán said that the attacks against the student had reached “alarming levels” and had “escalated to the point of creating substantial risks related to security and disruption of commencement.”
The complaints focused on a link to a pro-Palestinian website on Tabassum’s Instagram profile, which stated, “Zionism is a racist colonialist ideology,” and “A Palestinian state would mean Palestinian liberation and the complete elimination of the state of Israel.” Arabs and Jews can live together.”
Guzmán did not specify what the threats were or against whom they were directed. Captain Kelly Muniz, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department, told The Times that the agency has no crime reports regarding violent threats targeting Tabassum or the convocation ceremony.
Speaking to The Times on Tuesday, Tabassum defended herself and said she was not anti-Semitic. She said she supports the pro-Palestinian cause that has grown on college campuses since the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, which the Israeli government says preceded Israel’s retaliatory war in the Gaza Strip. 1,200 people were killed and about 240 were taken hostage. Gaza health officials say about 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war. According to the United Nations, 2 million Gazans are in a state of famine.
“The university has betrayed me and I have succumbed to a campaign of hate,” Tabassum said.
On Friday, Tabassum — who still plans to attend graduation — declined to comment on additional cancellations.
Times staff writer Matt Hamilton contributed to this report.
