Academic Senate votes to censure Folt, Guzman over handling of Gaza war controversies

The resolution, approved 21-7 with six abstentions, also “endorses the immediate creation of a task force” that would produce a public report investigating USC’s handling of controversies related to Israel’s war in Gaza.

By HENRY KOFMAN & JONATHAN PARK

The Academic Senate has voted to censure President Carol Folt and Provost Andrew Guzman, citing “widespread dissatisfaction and concern among the faculty” about USC’s handling of controversies related to Israel’s war in Gaza.

The resolution, approved 21-7 with six abstentions, also “endorses the immediate creation of a task force” that would produce a public report investigating those controversies and “associated administrative decisions and communication.”

Among the events listed were the banning of Professor John Strauss from campus, the cancellation of Asna Tabassum’s valedictory address and the main commencement ceremony, and the encampment protest that twice faced law enforcement shutdowns.

In a statement to the Daily Trojan Wednesday evening, President Carol Folt acknowledged there were “many different viewpoints” among community members regarding the administration’s decisions.

“I’m committed to working with the Academic Senate, and the wider faculty who weren’t present at today’s session,” Folt wrote. “Provost Guzman and I welcome ongoing engagement with the newly created task force. For now, our focus is on celebrating the 19,000 graduates of USC’s Class of 2024.”

This is a developing story and will be updated with more information.

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