Administrators at two universities cited pressure from students and the community over U.S. support for Israel in its war with Hamas.
Xavier University of Louisiana became the second school to rescind a commencement invitation to United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield because of student outcry over the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The move came days after the University of Vermont also canceled Thomas-Greenfield’s commencement address.
Administrators at both universities cited pressure from students and the community over the Biden administration’s support for Israel in its war with Hamas.
„The vast majority of students want to be able to enjoy a commencement ceremony free of disruptions,“ wrote Xavier President Dr. Reynold Verret in a letter. He called the university’s decision to disinvite Thomas-Greenfield „regrettable“ and said that it had decided to do so „together with Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield’s team.“
Xavier announced Thomas-Greenfield as commencement speaker on May 5. But three days later, after more than 1,700 people signed a petition calling on the university to pull the invitation, the New Orleans-based university reversed course.
The student-led petition asked the university to „end the politicization of our Commencement ceremony“ and cited Thomas-Greenfield’s record at the U.
