Xavier University of Louisiana became the second school to rescind a commencement invitation to United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield because of the 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.N. She has previously voted against measures calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Nate Evans, a spokesperson for Thomas-Greenfield, shared with CBS News, "Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield looks forward to continuing to engage with young people on campuses and other fora across the country to inspire the next generation of diplomats, as she has recently done in Pennsylvania, Texas, and New York."
The ambassador recently visited a high school in Philadelphia, where she conducted a school-wide assembly and had a private meeting with a group of Palestinian students.
Recently, Thomas-Greenfield faced a disinvitation from speaking at the University of Vermont's commencement ceremony.
In a letter to the university community, University of Vermont President Suresh Garimella acknowledged demonstrations on campus. "I hear your frustration with foreign policy decisions," he wrote, adding that the decision to cancel the ambassador's appearance was made "with regret."
CBS News has learned the university formally invited Thomas-Greenfield to speak at its commencement last summer, several months before Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The invitation from Xavier came early this year, long before campus protests broke out nationwide.
A source familiar with the ambassador's thinking told CBS News that Thomas-Greenfield is not deterred by the demonstrations at either school and was prepared to deliver her remarks. The source said she is also mindful of the threat of protesters disrupting commencement ceremonies which could take away from honoring graduates and their achievements.
Throughout her nearly 40-year career in government, Thomas-Greenfield has held various diplomatic positions. She was appointed as the U.N. ambassador at the beginning of the Biden administration.
During an interview with Dallas station WFAA on Thursday, Thomas-Greenfield had a message for protesters on college campuses nationwide. She emphasized the importance of listening to students' voices while also condemning the use of violence to convey their message. Although she did not specifically address commencement ceremonies, her words resonated with many.
President Biden is set to deliver a speech at Morehouse College on May 19. Despite ongoing student protests at the historically Black college in Atlanta, the commencement plans remain unchanged.
