The University of Southern California's (USC) president Carol Folt and Provost Andrew Guzman were censured by the USC Academic Senate on Wednesday, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. The censure came following a vote where 21 members favored censuring the two officials, while seven opposed and six abstained.
The decisions that led to the censure included the removal of a commencement speaking slot from an anti-Israel valedictorian and the cancellation of the main-stage commencement ceremony. Provost Guzman defended the decision to remove the valedictorian's speech, citing safety concerns as the primary reason. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing campus safety and complying with legal obligations to protect students.
According to the USC Academic Senate's website, the Senate serves as the representative body of the entire faculty at USC. It plays a crucial role in addressing academic and administrative issues, advocating for faculty rights, interests, and responsibilities, and working towards the preservation and enhancement of USC as an academic institution.
