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NYU Withholds Diploma of Graduate After Controversial Commencement Speech
New York University is withholding the diploma of a recent graduate who used his commencement speech to condemn the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The university characterized the speech as a violation of school rules.
During Wednesday’s graduation ceremony for the Gallatin School, Logan Rozos addressed the conflict, referring to Israel’s actions as “genocide” and criticizing US support. His remarks sparked mixed reactions from the audience, with some cheering and applauding while others booed.
NYU spokesperson John Beckman issued a statement denouncing Rozos’s “choice” of topic and alleging that the student “lied” about the content of his planned remarks. The university is pursuing disciplinary action and withholding Rozos’s diploma. Beckman expressed regret that the ceremony was “stolen” by the student’s “abuse of privilege.”
Rozos’s student biography has been removed from the Gallatin School’s website. He reportedly majored in Cultural Criticism and Political Economy and was chosen by his peers to deliver the address.
The Anti-Defamation League thanked NYU for its response, condemning Rozos’s comments as “divisive and false.” Conversely, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) defended Rozos’s speech and urged the university to release his diploma. CAIR framed the disciplinary actions as a “betrayal” of American freedoms.
This incident follows a series of protests and disciplinary actions at NYU related to the Gaza conflict last year. According to the university’s student newspaper, over 180 conduct cases were filed against students and faculty involved in demonstrations.