Latest news with #GallatinSchool
India Today
17-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
NYU student denied diploma over graduation speech condemning Israel
New York University said it would deny a diploma to a student who used a graduation speech to condemn Israel's attacks on Palestinians and what he described as US 'complicity in this genocide.'Logan Rozos's speech Wednesday for graduating students of NYU's Gallatin School sparked waves of condemnation from pro-Israel groups, who demanded the university take aggressive disciplinary action against a statement, NYU spokesperson John Beckman apologised for the speech and accused the student of misusing his platform '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,' Beckman added. 'The University is withholding his diploma while we pursue disciplinary actions.'Universities across the country have faced tremendous pressure to crack down on pro-Palestinian speech or risk funding cuts from President Donald Trump's administration, which has equated criticism of Israel with NYU, which is attended by Trump's son, Barron, has largely avoided the president's ire so an actor and member of the Gallatin Theater Troupe, was selected by fellow students to give the liberal art program's address. He said he felt a moral and political obligation to speak to the audience about what he called the atrocities in genocide currently occurring is supported politically and militarily by the United States, is paid for by our tax dollars and has been livestreamed to our phones for the past 18 months,' he speech drew loud cheers from the crowd, along with a standing ovation from some graduating as video of the speech spread online, it was roundly denounced by pro-Israel groups, who accused NYU of creating an unsafe environment for Jewish students.'No student — especially Jewish students — should have to sit through politicised rhetoric that promotes harmful lies about Israel during such a personal milestone,' the Anti-Defamation League said in a group #EndJewHatred suggested the speech — which did not mention Jewish people — would meet the university's newly-expanded definition of antisemitism, which includes certain criticism of emailed inquiry to Rozos was not pro-Palestinian rallies roiled campuses across the country last spring, the 2024 commencement season was was marked by tensions and cancellations, and strict limits on what students could billions of dollars of funding at risk from the Trump administration, the stakes for universities are even higher this year, some faculty said.'They are bending over backward to crack down on speech that runs counter to what the current administration in Washington espouses,' said Andrew Ross, a professor of social and cultural analysis at and many of my colleagues are frankly appalled at the decision that's being made to deny a student speaker his diploma,' Ross added. 'This is a very good example of an administration falling down on the job.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NYU pauses diploma of anti-Israel student who blasted Gaza war as 'genocide' during graduation speech
A New York University (NYU) student who slammed Israel's war in Gaza during a graduation speech has had his diploma suspended. Logan Rozos drew a sharp rebuke from the university after repeatedly referring to Israel's actions in Gaza as a "genocide" that was being perpetuated with the support of the United States. "The genocide currently occurring is supported politically and militarily by the United States, is paid for by our tax dollars and has been livestreamed to our phones for the past 18 months," said Rozo, a graduating student from the Gallatin School liberal art program. Rozos' comments drew a loud reaction from the crowd, including applause along with a standing ovation for those who supported him, while others expressed their disapproval. Columbia University Punishes Students Who Took Over Building During Anti-israel Protests As the video spread online, pro-Israel groups demanded the university take aggressive disciplinary action against Rozo. Read On The Fox News App NYU spokesperson John Beckman condemned the speech and said that NYU was "deeply sorry that the audience was subjected to these remarks." Beckman said Rozos deviated from approved remarks and the university is now withholding Rozos' diploma while it pursues disciplinary actions. "He lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules," Beckman said in a statement Wednesday. "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, a member of the Gallatin Theater Troupe, was selected by fellow students to give the program's address. Rozos is described as having a moral and political obligation to speak to the audience about the situation in Palestine. Mood Flips At Columbia U After Quashing Of Latest Protest, Trump Pressure Takes Hold "My moral and political commitment 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. "I do not wish to speak only to my own politics today, but to speak for all people of conscience, and all people who feel the moral injury of this atrocity." Pro-Jewish groups sharply criticized Rozos' remarks and praised NYU for acting quickly on the matter. "No student — especially Jewish students — should have to sit through politicized rhetoric that promotes harmful lies about Israel during such a personal milestone," the Anti-Defamation League said in a statement. We are thankful to the NYU administration for their strong condemnation and their pursuit of disciplinary action. Rozos majored in cultural criticism and political economy, according to an archived version of Gallatin's website. Rozos' profile is no longer available on the website. The documentary non-profit Fireflight Media describes Rozos in a profile page as an "actor, artist, and gay Black trans man" whose debut in acting was in the Peabody-nominated television drama David Makes Man in 2019. The war on Gaza sparked a wave of student protests on college campuses last year, including at NYU where demonstrations turned violent, with dozens of arrests being made. NYU is one of 10 universities being investigated by the Trump administration's antisemitism taskforce. The task force is examining how universities have handled alleged antisemitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Gaza war. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: NYU pauses diploma of anti-Israel student who blasted Gaza war as 'genocide' during graduation speech
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
NYU make savage move after student condemns 'genocide' in commencement speech
New York University has denied a diploma to the student who used a graduation speech to criticize Israel and condemn the 'genocide' in Gaza. Logan Rozos, 24, gave the controversial remarks at NYU's Gallatin School commencement ceremony on Wednesday. '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,' the graduate said to roaring applause. '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 past 18 months... I condemn this genocide and complicity in this genocide.' The speech went viral online and sparked waves of backlash from critics demanding the school take action. Universities across the country have faced tremendous pressure to crack down on pro-Palestinian speech or risk funding cuts from President Donald Trump 's administration. The university issued a statement apologizing for the speech and vowed to punish Rozos by withholding his diploma. '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,' spokesman John Beckman said. '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. '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.' Fellow students selected Rozos, an actor and member of the Gallatin Theater Troupe, to deliver the liberal art program's address. In his online biography, Rozos described himself as 'an actor, artist and gay Black trans man.' His speech was condemned by anti-Semitism groups and some lawmakers who warned that 'actions have consequences.' 'We are appalled to hear that during @NYuniversity graduation a student speaker altered their approved speech to make divisive and false comments about the current Israel/Hamas war,' the Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey said. 'We are thankful to the NYU administration for their strong condemnation and their pursuit of disciplinary action.' Florida Democrat Rep. Jared Moskowitz criticized Rozos during a news panel on CNN Thursday. 'He lied to the university. Second of all, he lied to everyone listening. There's no genocide going on in Israel. There is a war, it's unfortunate, and there are people in harm's way because of what Hamas did,' Moskowitz said. 'But at the end of the day, that's up to the university whether they give him his diploma or not. You know, in fact, they can give him his diploma, it's not going to matter. Good luck getting a job. That was a stupid, selfish thing, ruined the ceremony for a lot of families.' Rozos supporters praised him for using the platform to speak out and have demanded the school give him his diploma. 'We commend Logan for using this opportunity to demand an end to the bloodshed in Gaza,' said the Council on American-Islamic Relations New York Executive Director, Afaf Nasher. 'In a world where the word 'Palestine' has become wrongfully criminalized, it is individuals like Logan who keep Palestine in our consciousness and at the forefront of our actions. 'We demand that NYU formally release Logan's diploma, which he rightfully earned, and suspend any disciplinary proceedings against him.'
New York Post
17-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
NYU may have ignored its own protocols to allow anti-Israel grad speech: insider
New York University may have ignored its own protocols for commencement speakers, allowing a student speaker to complete a divisive anti-Israel speech at its Gallatin School graduation — as some faculty members applauded, a school insider told The Post. 'As I search my my heart . . . 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,' student Logan Rozos said Wednesday in the opening of his three-minute speech laced with a one-sided narrative about the Israel-Gaza war. 'I want to say that I condemn this genocide and condemn the complicity in this genocide,' he said claiming the US was 'militarily and politically' complicit, as faculty on the dais were seen applauding and nodding emphatically. Advertisement 4 NYU student Logan Rozos delivered a pro-Palestine speech at the university's Gallatin School graduation. Obtained by NY Post An NYU insider who's been at the school decades told The Post Rozos should have never been allowed to finish his speech. Students have to 'submit a copy of the speech and agree to read that speech and none other,' the insider said. Advertisement 'There's definitely a breakdown in protocol. When someone goes off script, the mic is supposed to be cut. These events are produced to the syllable because they need to be. 'It's supposed to be zero surprises – 100 percent by design.' The insider added that 'the real question is if there were faculty on the inside who put him up to this.' 'My mind, seeing all the faculty on the stage clapping, caused me to question whether they were in some way involved or not,' said the source, noting their robust record of anti-Israel sentiment according to the Canary Mission, which tracks antisemitism. Advertisement 4 An NYU insider said students have to 'submit a copy of the speech and agree to read that speech and none other.' DW labs Incorporated – Fellow grads were aghast NYU allowed Rozos to finish the 'inflammatory' and 'incredibly narcissistic' diatribe at the Beacon Theatre ceremony. 'They absolutely should have cut it off and not applauded him,' fumed Sabrina Maslavi, a Gallatin grad who settled a federal antimsemitism lawsuit with NYU last year. Maslavi told the Post that the 'inappropriate' speech 'definitely ruined my graduation for me and my family,' estimating about half of faculty on the dais openly supported the screed. 'They applauded him and let him finish. And after he sat down, the faculty still applauded him.' Advertisement She claimed she was shunned when she didn't follow fellow grads in giving him a standing ovation. 'I got the death stare.' Another grad groused about the 'horrible' and 'embarrassing' spectacle for the institution. 'It took any prestige they had and squashed it,' the grad said, adding that Rozos 'should have been pulled off the stage.' 4 NYU is withholding Rozos's diploma. FilmMagic, Gallatin dean Victoria Rosner took the stage directly after Rozos, ignoring the divisive rant. Hours after the speech, an NYU spokesperson announced it would be withholding Rozos's diploma while it 'pursues disciplinary actions.' The school said Rozos 'abused' his 'privilege,' 'denounc[ing]' Rozos's speech and accusing him of 'misus[ing] his role as student speaker to express his personal and one-sided political views.' Advertisement The rep did not address any breach in protocol but said the student 'lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules.' The 24-year-old Rozos, who wrote in a student online platform that he was raised in Washington Heights and the Bronx, was honored in 2020 for his 'groundbreaking' role in the series 'David Makes Men' on the Oprah Winfrey Network. 'At the time, Rozos was one of very few trans men on television,' read the 2024 Glaad writeup. The Post reached out to Rozos multiple times for comment. Students think that the punishment will only boost Rozos's notoriety, transforming him into a hero. Advertisement 'There's nothing that NYU could do to make him regret what he said,' said a Jewish male grad who was appalled at the ceremony. 'I wouldn't be surprised if Logan turns into a victim from this— a victim of Israel and the Jewish people. People are going to feel bad for him.' 4 Fellow grads were aghast NYU allowed Rozos to finish the 'inflammatory' and 'incredibly narcissistic' speech. Obtained by NY Post Jeff Rabhan, father of a Gallatin grad, ripped NYU, where he previously worked for 11 years. 'You can't tell me they didn't discuss the possibility of this happening,' he said. 'There was plenty of opportunity to right the wrong,' seethed the dad about not cutting off the student, noting 'it's offensive for families who spend $250,000' for the NYU degree. Advertisement Watchdog groups condemned the message sent by NYU's slap in the wrist. 'We fail to see how New York University has made any positive changes to deter – or impose consequences on – Jew-hatred when this is the speech given at commencement to rounding applause but no condemnation,' said Michelle Ahdoot of End Jewish Hatred, which first published the graduation video.
Fox News
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
NYU pauses diploma of anti-Israel student who blasted Gaza war as 'genocide' during graduation speech
A New York University (NYU) student who slammed Israel's war in Gaza during a graduation speech has had his diploma suspended. Logan Rozos drew a sharp rebuke from the university after repeatedly referring to Israel's actions in Gaza as a "genocide" that was being perpetuated with the support of the United States. "The genocide currently occurring is supported politically and militarily by the United States, is paid for by our tax dollars and has been livestreamed to our phones for the past 18 months," said Rozo, a graduating student from the Gallatin School liberal art program. Rozos' comments drew a loud reaction from the crowd, including applause along with a standing ovation for those who supported him, while others expressed their disapproval. As the video spread online, pro-Israel groups demanded the university take aggressive disciplinary action against Rozo. NYU spokesperson John Beckman condemned the speech and said that NYU was "deeply sorry that the audience was subjected to these remarks." Beckman said Rozos deviated from approved remarks and the university is now withholding Rozos' diploma while it pursues disciplinary actions. "He lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules," Beckman said in a statement Wednesday. "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, a member of the Gallatin Theater Troupe, was selected by fellow students to give the program's address. Rozos is described as having a moral and political obligation to speak to the audience about the situation in Palestine. "My moral and political commitment 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. "I do not wish to speak only to my own politics today, but to speak for all people of conscience, and all people who feel the moral injury of this atrocity." Pro-Jewish groups sharply criticized Rozos' remarks and praised NYU for acting quickly on the matter. "No student — especially Jewish students — should have to sit through politicized rhetoric that promotes harmful lies about Israel during such a personal milestone," the Anti-Defamation League said in a statement. We are thankful to the NYU administration for their strong condemnation and their pursuit of disciplinary action. Rozos majored in cultural criticism and political economy, according to an archived version of Gallatin's website. Rozos' profile is no longer available on the website. The documentary non-profit Fireflight Media describes Rozos in a profile page as an "actor, artist, and gay Black trans man" whose debut in acting was in the Peabody-nominated television drama David Makes Man in 2019. The war on Gaza sparked a wave of student protests on college campuses last year, including at NYU where demonstrations turned violent, with dozens of arrests being made. NYU is one of 10 universities being investigated by the Trump administration's antisemitism taskforce. The task force is examining how universities have handled alleged antisemitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Gaza war.
