“The Executive Committee of the Student Government Assembly expresses its profound disappointment regarding the announcement of Jonathan Haidt as the commencement speaker for the Class of 2026 at Yankee Stadium. For a graduating class that has navigated unprecedented challenges, the commencement speaker should serve as a source of collective inspiration and a reflection of the university’s highest aspirations, mirroring the ambition and diversity of our graduates.

“In past years, NYU has set a gold standard, welcoming prestigious speakers, such as Molly Shannon, Taylor Swift, Martha Minow, Sanna Marin, David Boies, Sherrilyn Ifill, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor, to name a few. The abrupt derailment from this trend is not merely anticlimactic; it is a regression. This shift suggests an unfortunate disconnect between the administration’s selection process and the reasonable expectations of its students. The pivot from figures of universal inspiration to an individual who has been accused of making homophobic remarks in a class and public misconceptions about transgender identity, and has promoted disturbing rhetoric around antiracism, social justice, and diversity, equity and inclusion, claiming that the abolition of DEI may be the only way out of the Leftist ideological capture of American campuses, is deeply unsettling and clearly undermines the University’s stated values.

“The decision for an NYU professor, whose most recent accomplishment was inspiring “In Real Life,” an initiative that some students find reductive and oblivious to far more pressing matters than digital distraction, to speak at All-University Commencement is, for many, undeniably underwhelming. By elevating a platform that treats “device-free” as a radical act, the University is effectively disregarding the very real-world crises and systemic hurdles that have defined our graduates’ experiences.

“The Executive Committee fully supports academic freedom, and we are aware that our requests for the University to protect freedom of speech on campus must apply to all students, faculty and staff. While we acknowledge President Mills’ view that Professor Haidt is “one of the most consequential scholars of this time,” we ask for consideration of the broader context. In a world marked by sustained attacks on higher education and the global unraveling of diversity, equity, and inclusion, which has only deepened inequities, Professor Haidt is not the appropriate individual to address the Class of 2026.

“Students are astonished by the University’s inability to leverage its vast network and unique connections to secure a speaker whose scholarship and global contributions more accurately reflect the values and diversity of its graduates. Since the announcement on Thursday, April 30, many students have reported feelings of disappointment, disgust, unenthusiasm, defeat, and embarrassment – feeling that their commencement, intended to be a celebratory moment, has instead become another instance of being misunderstood.

“The discourse behind the University’s reasoning for Haidt’s selection has also left many confused and speculative. Was he the safest option considering the current political climate and his critiques of liberal ideology? Does NYU lack the necessary funding for the honorarium? Were all other contenders unavailable? Is this yet another effort to push the IRL narrative? There is a growing consensus across campus that this selection was less about honoring the graduates and more about amplifying a singular narrative while simultaneously averting risk. We believe there is immense potential in this institution and in its leaders, but fear that recent decisions have, and will continue, to cause unnecessary disappointment and resentment. In an effort to uphold the values of inclusion, care, and respect for the graduating class, we respectfully ask for the appropriate committee to reconsider the decision.”

Now isn’t that funny? Also wrong. The idea of graduation commencement speakers is to challenge graduates with ideas coming from accomplished individuals who have wisdom to impart. That letter literally says, We only want to hear what we already believe repeated back to us, or in my oft repeated quote from Jack Marshall Sr, “Don’t confuse me with facts, my mind’s made up. I am thrilled that NYU didn’t capitulate to the students’ tantrum. Maybe they might have if that letter wasn’t bonkers.

• Don’t you love a sentence that starts, “In past years, NYU has set a gold standard, welcoming prestigious speakers, such as Molly Shannon, Taylor Swift…”? Shannon is a Saturday Night Live alum, and a standard issue actress. Tawlor Swift should shut up and sing.
• “Unenthusiasm”? Good job teaching English there, NYU!
• When students are blathering about how ethnic, racial and gender discrimination (That is, DEI) are essential, there could hardly be a more appropriate speaker than Heidt.
• So all one has to do to disqualify a potential commitment speaker is to accuse him or her of something? I tried to track down specific examples of Heidt’s “homophobic remarks in a class.” What I found was multiple critics saying, in essence, “You had to be there.”
• The “sustained attacks on higher education” are valid, necessary, and justified. That letter proves it.