USC president makes her first remarks over recent campus controversies on Israel

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The University of Southern California’s president called recent controversies roiling the campus over the Israel-Hamas war “incredibly difficult for all of us.”

In her first public statement in nearly two weeks, President Carol Folt condemned this week’s protests — where 90 demonstrators were arrested by police in riot gear — while imploring the campus community to find common ground and ways to support each other.

The private university initially came under fire April 15 when officials said the 2024 valedictorian, who has publicly supported Palestinians, was not allowed to make a commencement speech, citing nonspecific security concerns for the university leadership’s rare decision.

Students, faculty and alumni condemned the move, which was compounded days later when USC scrapped the keynote speech by filmmaker Jon M. Chu — a 2003 graduate of the university — and said it would not confer honorary degrees.