This comes after the university announced that valedictorian Asna Tabassum, a first-generation South Asian American Muslim and outspoken about her pro-Palestinian views, will no longer speak at an event next month.
The University of Southern California has removed all external speakers, including its board of directors. Jon M. ChuAmid controversy over the decision to cancel the graduate student's speech, starting with the upcoming graduation ceremony.
Just days after the university announced it had canceled a pro-Palestinian student's valedictorian address, it issued a memo on Friday announcing its decision to “release external speakers and honorees” at next month's commencement ceremony.
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USC said it was “redesigning its commencement program to continue to focus on our graduates.” ABC News. “In light of the highly publicized circumstances surrounding our major commencement program, university leadership has determined that it would be best to prevent external speakers and honorees from attending this year’s commencement ceremony.”
Chu – Best known for directing. Crazy Rich Asians and coming evil Adaptation — Was scheduled to be the keynote speaker for the Class of 2024. That person is also from USC. Meanwhile, tennis pro Billie Jean King was among those scheduled to speak.
This is after graduating from college notified by letter Valedictorian Asna Tabassum informed students Monday that she will no longer speak at commencement ceremonies on May 10 due to 'safety' concerns.
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“The Provost's Office is involved in graduation ceremonies in a variety of ways, including selecting undergraduate valedictorians. Unfortunately, over the past few days, discussions regarding our valedictorian selection have taken a worrying turn.” Andrew T. Guzman, President for Academic Affairs, wrote in part. “The intensity of emotion has grown on social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has included many voices outside of USC, and has escalated to the point where it poses significant risks related to security and disruption at its onset. We cannot ignore others due to similar risks.” “The fact is that bullying and violence occurred on campus as well.”
He added, “After careful consideration, our student representative decided not to give a congratulatory speech at the graduation ceremony,” adding, “It is unfortunate, but tradition must yield to safety.” “However, it is consistent with the university’s fundamental legal obligations to act to protect students and keep the campus community safe, including the expectations of federal regulators.”
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Tabassum, a first-generation South Asian-American Muslim, majored in biomedical engineering and minored in resistance to genocide. ABC NewsAccording to the Greater Los Angeles Regional Office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
She has been outspoken about her pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel views during the Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East.
While talking to ABC News Live's Phil Lipof On Wednesday, Tabassum addressed USC's controversial decision.
“The valedictorian honor is ultimately a unifying honor, right? It symbolizes the unifying values of USC. I take that to heart,” she told Lipof. “I wanted my speech to be in the genre of a farewell speech, so I wanted to convey a message of hope. I also wanted to convey a message of responsibility.”
“We have received excellent higher education. We have been given the knowledge to learn how to learn,” she continued. “So I wanted to encourage my colleagues to learn about the world, draw their own conclusions, and then act to change the world in the way they see fit.
“So ultimately, in my role as valedictorian, I wanted to be a unifying voice for all students, but that was preemptively taken away from me,” Tabassum concluded.