By April 18, hundreds were marching on campus in support of Tabassum’s stated belief that she was being “silenced” for her race, religion and political views. Tabassum said in an interview that she had no plans to directly address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at graduation but wanted to talk about “hope.” She said she is not antisemitic and had never publicly been an activist for the pro-Palestinian cause.

On April 19, the “main stage” commencement was diminished further when the university canceled an address by director Jon M. Chu of “Crazy Rich Asians.” It also nixed the awarding of honorary degrees at the ceremony to recipients including tennis star Billie Jean King.

Curran said the university didn’t want to put outside guests in an “awkward situation” where they would feel pressured to speak out about Tabassum or take sides in the Israel-Hamas war.

A spokeswoman for the USC School of Cinematic Arts, which helped recruit Chu, cited “security concerns.”

Tensions were mounting. The ACLU and the Council on American-Islamic Relations had gotten involved, offering assistance to Tabassum. The USC Chabad Jewish center called out the university for blaming security while accusing it of failing to address questions of antisemitism head-on in a time of rising anti-Jewish hatred.

The events also tore at precarious bridges built between Muslims and the administration after student complaints in recent years of anti-Muslim bias on campus.

Members of the Advisory Committee on Muslim Life at USC — made up of students, faculty and staff — wrote to Folt, asking her to reconsider the Tabassum decision by April 19. When they said they did not hear back, more than half the members resigned.

“It is a bewildering time,” said Aisha Patel, a graduate student in communication studies who was among those who resigned. “I hope this is the tipping point of true change and that the administration starts listening and having deep conversations.”

The next night, Folt appeared at a $550-per-person alumni gala at a Fairmont Century Plaza ballroom. In a brief address, she recognized attorney, investor and philanthropist Charles Griffin Cale, who was awarded USC’s highest alumni achievement prize.

The president did not discuss the speech cancellation.

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