Controversy Surrounding USC Commencement Speakers and Honorees

The University of Southern California has made a controversial decision to release guest speakers and honorees from attending this year’s commencement on May 10. Among those affected were filmmaker Jon M. Chu, tennis star Billie Jean King, Maria Rosario Jackson, and Marcia McNutt.

In a memo released on Friday, the university stated, “To keep the focus on our graduates, we are redesigning the commencement program. Given the highly publicized circumstances surrounding our main-stage commencement program, university leadership has decided it is best to release our outside speakers and honorees from attending this year’s ceremony.”

The decision comes after USC faced criticism for not allowing valedictorian Asna Tabassum, a first-generation Muslim student, to deliver a commencement address. This decision was made after campus Jewish organizations expressed opposition to her speaking, citing a pro-Palestinian social media link shared by Tabassum.

While USC cited security concerns for canceling Tabassum’s speech, she expressed shock and disappointment, questioning the university’s reasoning. The decision has sparked protests calling for her reinstatement as a speaker.

The university hopes to confer the honorary degrees at a future commencement or other academic ceremonies. The controversy surrounding this year’s commencement at USC continues to unfold as students and faculty react to the decisions made by university leadership.