NYU withholds diploma after student's pro-Gaza comments in graduation speech

New York University is withholding the diploma of a student who condemned Israel's actions in Gaza during his graduation speech, escalating tensions over campus expressions on the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Logan Rozos, who addressed Wednesday's Gallatin School commencement ceremony, had his academic credentials suspended Friday pending disciplinary action after referring to the situation in Gaza as "genocide".

"As I search my heart today in addressing you all... 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 in his address.

NYU spokesperson John Beckman said in a statement after the speech that the university "strongly" denounced Rozos's speech, claiming 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," Beckman said. "We are 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, who majored in Cultural Criticism and Political Economy, was a member of the Gallatin Theater Troupe and was selected by fellow students to deliver the program's commencement address.

By Thursday evening, his student biography had been removed from Gallatin's website.

Mixed reactions

Video footage of the ceremony shows mixed reactions to Rozos's comments, with some attendees cheering while others booed. Several faculty members were seen briefly applauding when Rozos first mentioned Gaza.

The incident has drawn contrasting reactions from advocacy groups. The Anti-Defamation League supported NYU's decision, thanking the university on X "for their strong condemnation and their pursuit of disciplinary action."

Meanwhile, the Council on American-Islamic Relations called for the release of Rozos's diploma, describing disciplinary actions against pro-Palestinian protesters as a "betrayal to American freedoms."

Heightened scrutiny

The disciplinary action comes amid heightened scrutiny of campus demonstrations related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Trump administration has intensified its crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests at universities across the country in recent months.

Earlier this year, the Department of Justice cited NYU among universities that have "experienced incidents of antisemitism."

Following campus protests last year, NYU reportedly filed more than 180 conduct cases against students and faculty related to demonstrations over the war in Gaza, according to the university's student newspaper.