University cancels valedictorian’s speech, citing safety concerns

The University of Southern California, citing safety concerns and passions around the latest Middle East conflict, has cancelled its valedictorian speech from a student who said she was being silenced for her views on human rights.

University provost Andrew Guzman said the decision to scrub the traditional valedictorian address at next month’s graduation had “nothing to do with freedom of speech” and was aimed at protecting campus security.

The valedictorian, biomedical engineering major Asna Tabassum, challenged the university’s rationale, questioning “whether the decision to revoke my invitation to speak is made solely on the basis of safety”.

Guzman did not refer to Tabassum by name, or specify what about her speech, background or political views had raised concerns. Nor did it detail any particular threats.

The provost referred more broadly to how “discussion relating to the selection of our valedictorian had taken on an alarming tenor” .

“The intensity of feelings, fuelled by both social media and the conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security,” he said.

As a consequence, “we have decided that our student valedictorian will not deliver a speech at commencement”, Guzman said, adding, “tradition must give way to safety”.

Public safety officials and civil rights advocates have reported a rise in hate crimes in the United States, along with heightened tensions on college campuses related to the Israel-Gaza war. – Reuters