Meanwhile UVM to enforce policy violations among pro-Palestine demonstrators
by Guy Page
A black woman who is also the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations has apparently been disinvited to speak at the 2024 University of Vermont graduation commencement ceremony later this month.
In a letter sent Friday to the UVM community, President Surimesh Garimella announced that Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, will not be the commencement speaker. The letter also stated that UVM will also take action against the pro-Palestine demonstrators encamped at UVM, many of whom have criticized the selection of Thomas-Greenfield:
“The demonstration has been continuously in violation of university policies since its inception. Those who continue to violate UVM policies do so intentionally despite having been given the opportunity to express themselves within campus rules. Therefore, regrettably, appropriate student conduct processes have been initiated for those who have persistently violated university policy.”
Garimella did not specify whether the decision was UVM’s or the ambassadors, but he stressed that grads deserve a graduation weekend free of demonstrations and distraction:
“After their years of hard work and commitment to success, they deserve a weekend of ceremony and celebration befitting their accomplishment. It is with regret that I share that our planned speaker, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will not be joining us to deliver the Commencement address,” he said.
“First, I want our students to know that I see and hear you. I see you mourn for lives lost in Israel and Gaza. I hear your calls for peace and a just end to the current unrest in the region. I hear your frustration with foreign policy decisions. I see your efforts to bring attention to your viewpoints and to make your city and your university safe places of which you can be proud. The voices of our community are as diverse and powerful as the issues are complex and heavy. I hear you all. I, too, wish for an end to these seemingly intractable disputes and hope that would bring us all some measure of comfort and restore our sense of security and community.
“Second, I want to share my perspective on the demonstration at Andrew Harris Commons. Since it took root, I have been very clear with my colleagues in university leadership that we should take every reasonable step to help student demonstrators understand the safety risks that attend with so-called encampments and offer practical solutions for planning a safe and effective demonstration. I also want to ensure that the demonstrators at the site do not unduly disrupt nor target their classmates or other members of the community.
“While I am grateful to the students and university leaders who have engaged in conversation, I note that the demonstration has been continuously in violation of university policies since its inception. Those who continue to violate UVM policies do so intentionally despite having been given the opportunity to express themselves within campus rules. Therefore, regrettably, appropriate student conduct processes have been initiated for those who have persistently violated university policy.
“Student demonstrators must also understand that UVM will not tolerate acts or threats of violence nor targeted harassment of others based on their identity or viewpoint. Such actions will be swiftly addressed to the fullest extent of university policy and the law. There is no room at UVM for antisemitism, Islamophobia or any discrimination based on race, national origin or ancestry.
“There are unlimited ways to express viewpoints without targeting others. I am proud of our faculty and staff who have modeled these discussions and grateful to our DEI team who have held programs with national experts who have intelligently and sensitively discussed a variety of viewpoints throughout the year.
“Third, we are looking forward to the upcoming Commencement ceremonies and the opportunity to celebrate our 2024 UVM graduates. After their years of hard work and commitment to success, they deserve a weekend of ceremony and celebration befitting their accomplishment. It is with regret that I share that our planned speaker, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will not be joining us to deliver the Commencement address.
“We’re eager to welcome our Catamount families to campus in a few short weeks to celebrate our newest alumni, and grateful to all of the hardworking staff who help to make the celebration a special one.”