President’s Response to SACUA Chair Commencement Remarks
May 2, 2026
Updated May 3, 2026
LInks
At today’s U-M spring commencement ceremony, our outgoing Faculty Senate Chair made remarks regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict that were hurtful and insensitive to many members of our community. We regret the pain this has caused on a day devoted to celebration and accomplishment. For this, the university apologizes.
The Faculty Senate Chair deviated from the remarks he had shared before the ceremony. The Chair’s comments were inappropriate and do not represent our institutional position.* Nor do they represent the diversity of views across our entire faculty.
Everyone in our community is entitled to their own views; but this was neither the time nor the place. Commencement is a time of celebration, recognition and unity. The Chair’s remarks were expected to be congratulatory, not a platform for personal or political expression. Introducing such commentary in this setting was inappropriate and did not align with the purpose of the occasion. In the coming weeks, I will work with university leadership to review and refine future commencement programming.
Make no mistake, we will not allow a 30-second soundbite to tear down the goodwill that so many on our campus have worked to build. Together, we have made Michigan a welcoming, safe and inclusive community – one that we can be proud of, reflects our values, and serves as a model for other institutions around the world. That work continues now and always. To be sure, the world has injustices; the only way we can address them is to work together and not create more divisiveness.
Domenico Grasso
President
*Our position is institutional neutrality.
Related links
Statement Regarding Commencement Video
The 2026 commencement video was blocked by YouTube due to copyrighted music used during the preshow. The university has edited out the preshow to address the copyright issues and restored the recording for viewing.
Resources
If you are a member of the university community impacted by the remarks and seeking assistance, the following resources are available:
- Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO); (734) 936-8660
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for students; (734) 764-8312
- Dean of Students Office’s Campus Climate Support (CCS) offers students support, referrals, and connections to campus resources and supportive opportunities. Contact deanofstudents@umich.edu or by phone at 734-764-7420 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Additional resources are available through the Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office’s resources page.
