USC President Takes Firm Stand Toward Disruptive Protesters

LOS ANGELES—University of Southern California (USC) President Carol Folt wrote an open letter to the “Trojan Family” stressing the steps the school announced to ensure that students can finish finals “in a quiet, safe academic environment—and that our graduating students can enjoy peaceful and joyous commencement ceremonies.” In addition, with emotions still running high on campus following protests over the war in Gaza, Ms. Folt took a firm stand toward protesters who might continue to be disruptive. “Let me be absolutely clear,” she wrote in the letter released Friday. “Free speech and assembly do not include the right to obstruct equal access to campus, damage property, or foment harassment, violence, and threats. Nor is anyone entitled to obstruct the normal functions of our university, including commencement....