The NYU Graduation Speech Controversy Isn’t New
University officials have long had a tendency to showcase their efforts to please the powerful.
More than one tradition is being upheld.
Photographer: Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images
Controversy is swirling after New York University withheld the diploma of a student who made an “unapproved” pro-Palestinian speech at graduation ceremonies for its Gallatin School. NYU says the student “lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules,” which is strong stuff. Until about five minutes ago, the standard line would have run something like this: “It is our policy not to comment on internal disciplinary matters.” Now that quiet, reasonable response sounds so totally 2024.
The difference might be that schools feel pressure to posture publicly to preserve good relations with an often vengeful administration. But as unsettling as most of us find the present era of impulsive threats, college officials have long had a tendency to showcase their efforts to please the powerful. That’s why, once upon a time, the mightiest universities in the land kowtowed to the McCarthyites. That’s why, in recent decades, too many schools have adopted too many bad rules restricting speech deemed hateful or offensive. All of which is to say that if the determination to stay on the Trump administration’s good side leads institutions of higher education to erode fundamental free speech principles, well, they’re deft at justifying that.