NYU may have ignored its own protocols to allow anti-Israel grad speech: insider

New York Post - May 17th, 2025

At a recent commencement ceremony at NYU's Gallatin School, student speaker Logan Rozos delivered a controversial speech condemning Israel and accusing the US of complicity in what he described as atrocities in Palestine. This unexpected speech went against NYU's protocol, which requires students to submit and adhere to pre-approved speech content. Despite the breach, faculty members applauded Rozos, leading to criticism from fellow graduates and their families who felt the speech was inappropriate and divisive. Following the incident, NYU announced it would withhold Rozos's diploma and pursue disciplinary actions, accusing him of abusing his privilege as a student speaker.

The incident has sparked significant backlash, with some students and parents expressing disappointment in NYU's handling of the situation, suggesting it undermines the institution's prestige and disregards families' investments in their education. The speech has also raised concerns about potential faculty involvement and anti-Israel sentiment within the university. Critics argue that the response from NYU has been insufficient in addressing the issue and preventing similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, Rozos's actions have garnered him attention, with some believing the disciplinary measures may enhance his notoriety as a figure challenging the status quo.

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RATING

5.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a compelling account of a controversial incident at an NYU graduation ceremony, focusing on a student's speech and the reactions it provoked. It effectively captures the timeliness and public interest of the event, engaging readers with a narrative that touches on significant issues like free speech and university protocols. However, the story's accuracy and balance are hindered by a reliance on an anonymous source and a lack of diverse perspectives. The source quality is questionable, as the article does not sufficiently verify claims or provide a comprehensive view of the situation. Transparency is limited, particularly regarding the basis for its claims and the absence of methodological explanations. Despite these weaknesses, the article is clear, readable, and highly controversial, making it a thought-provoking piece that could stimulate discussion and debate. Overall, the story's strengths lie in its engagement and relevance, though it could benefit from a more balanced and well-supported approach to reporting.

Accuracy

The article makes several factual claims that require verification, such as NYU's protocols for commencement speakers and whether these were breached. It claims that students must submit their speeches for approval and adhere strictly to them, a point that needs confirmation from NYU's official guidelines. The story also alleges that faculty members applauded the speech, suggesting possible complicity or support, which is not definitively proven within the text. There is a lack of direct evidence or official statements from NYU confirming these claims, making the story's accuracy somewhat questionable. The article also references reactions from various individuals and groups, but these are predominantly anecdotal and lack broader context or corroboration.

Balance

The article primarily presents a critical viewpoint of the event, focusing on the negative reactions from certain graduates and the alleged breach of protocol. It lacks balance by not providing a comprehensive view of the situation, such as potential justifications from NYU or a broader range of student opinions. The story leans heavily on the perspectives of those who were displeased with the speech, with little representation of any supportive or neutral viewpoints. This creates an impression of bias and limits the reader's understanding of the full context of the event.

Clarity

The article is relatively clear in its language and structure, making it easy to follow the narrative of the event. The tone is neutral but leans towards sensationalism in its portrayal of the speech and reactions. The story is logically structured, with a clear beginning, middle, and end, but it could benefit from more detailed explanations of key points, such as the specific nature of the alleged protocol breach and the context of the speech. Overall, the article is accessible but could improve in providing a more comprehensive and nuanced account of the events.

Source quality

The primary source for the article appears to be an unnamed 'school insider,' which raises questions about the credibility and reliability of the information provided. The lack of named sources or official statements from NYU diminishes the authority of the reporting. While the article does quote some students and parents, these are anecdotal and do not constitute a robust range of sources. The reliance on a single anonymous source for critical claims about protocol breaches is problematic, as it does not provide sufficient evidence for such serious allegations.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in several areas, particularly concerning its sources and the methodology behind its claims. The use of an anonymous insider as a primary source without explaining why anonymity was granted or how the information was verified undermines the transparency of the report. Additionally, there is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest or biases that could affect the story's impartiality. The article does not adequately explain the basis for its claims about NYU's protocols or the reactions of faculty and students, leaving readers with unanswered questions about the story's foundation.