New York University is withholding a student’s diploma after he hijacked a graduation ceremony to deliver an unapproved political speech.
Logan Rozos, the student speaker at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, used his platform to accuse Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza and condemned U.S. support for the Israeli government.
“As I search my heart today in addressing you all, my moral and political commitments guide me to say that the only thing that is appropriate to say in this time and to a group this large is a recognition of the atrocities currently happening in Palestine,” Rozos said.
He continued: “The genocide currently occurring is supported politically and militarily by the United States, is paid for by our tax dollars, and has been live-streamed to our phones for the last seven months.”
Rozos added, “I do not wish to speak only to my own politics today but to speak for all people of conscience, all people who feel the moral injury of this atrocity.
Following the speech, NYU spokesperson John Beckman issued a formal statement announcing disciplinary action:
NYU strongly denounces the choice by a student at the Gallatin School’s graduation today—one of over 20 school graduation ceremonies across our campus—to misuse his role as student speaker to express his personal and one-sided political views.
He lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules. The University is withholding his diploma while we pursue disciplinary actions.
NYU is deeply sorry that the audience was subjected to these remarks and that this moment was stolen by someone who abused a privilege that was conferred upon him.
Rozos’s remarks received a mixed response from the audience, including both applause and booing. NYU has not indicated whether his diploma will ultimately be issued following the disciplinary process.
The case has triggered criticism from some free speech advocates, though NYU maintains that the issue centers on the student’s breach of policy, not the content of his views.