Professor Defends Remarks As University Backs Away
The University of Michigan issued a formal apology after a history professor lauded pro-Palestinian student protesters in a commencement speech over the weekend. The remarks and the ensuing apology have set off cascading recriminations. Pro-Israel advocates called to slash the school's funding. Others accused university officials of bowing to political and donor pressure.
In a speech on Saturday at the universitywide commencement ceremony at Michigan Stadium, Derek R. Peterson credited pro-Palestinian student activists. Peterson said these students had opened hearts to the injustice and inhumanity of Israel's war in Gaza over the past two years. Peterson is a professor of East African history and outgoing chair of the faculty senate.
The comments followed Peterson's praise for Moritz Levi. Levi is the first Jewish professor at the University of Michigan. Peterson said Levi and others had advanced causes of justice through the school's history.
Jewish Groups Condemn Remarks
Within hours, video of the pro-Palestinian portion of Peterson's speech had widely circulated online. The video drew condemnations from Jewish groups. These organizations alleged that campus protests against Israel created a hostile environment for some students.
The same day, the university's president Domenico Grasso issued a public apology. Grasso said the comments were inappropriate. Grasso said they do not represent the institutional position. The president added that the speech deviated from remarks Peterson had shared before the ceremony.
Political Fallout Follows
The swift apology did not stop some Republican officials from calling for federal funding cuts. Florida Sen. Rick Scott called to strip the school of federal money. A Republican member of the Board of Regents hinted at possible discipline for the professor.
Prominent Israeli-American investor Adam Milstein urged Jewish people to halt any donations to the university.
Peterson said he stood by the comments. Peterson called it ridiculous to expect graduations be apolitical. In a statement, Peterson said Michigan is not a finishing school for polite young men and women. He added that students need encouragement to face a flawed and unjust world head on. Peterson said they need critical reasoning and careful research. Peterson said they need sympathy for the oppressed.
Peterson also accused the administration of scrubbing the speech from the internet. A university spokesperson said the video had been temporarily removed by YouTube over a music copyright issue. The video was back online.
Faculty Groups Defend Professor
In a joint letter published Tuesday, a coalition of academic labor groups condemned the university's statement. The coalition included the American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of Teachers. The letter stated that institutional leaders have an obligation to tolerate faculty speech. The letter added that leaders must defend that speech. The coalition emphasized the need for defense especially in the face of external political pressure.
The speech came two years after protests against the war in Gaza erupted across college campuses. Those protests led to canceled speeches and other disruptions to the springtime commencement ritual. Michigan's campus saw students form a campground and walk out from classes in protest of the war.
A handful of students at U.S. universities also faced discipline in 2025 for seeking to highlight pro-Palestinian issues at graduation ceremonies. A graduate of New York University had his diploma withheld for criticizing Israel in a speech.