Rutgers in the headlines as campus and national debates spill over Israel-Gaza content and speaker cancellations. Rutgers: New Jersey public research university, founded 1766.
Since April and into May 2026, multiple US universities have faced commencement and campus controversies over invited speakers and events related to Israel, free speech and protest. NYU is keeping Jonathan Haidt as its Yankee Stadium commencement speaker despite student government opposition; Rutgers has rescinded an invitation to alumnus Rami Elghandour; Georgetown Law replaced Morton Schapiro after student objections; and campus groups are clashing over guest appearances and platforming.
Rutgers University has rescinded a planned May 15 convocation address by Arcellx CEO Rami Elghandour after some graduating students raised concerns about his social media posts criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza. The move follows similar campus tensions around commencement speeches amid debates over the Gaza war and pro-Palestinian protests.
Gunfire near the White House has prompted a security lockdown as responders have engaged a suspect. A bystander has been wounded and the suspect has been killed by law enforcement. President Trump has not been reported harmed and remains at the White House. Journalists on scene have described a chaotic scene and accounts indicate multiple gunshots.
The European Union has announced a substantial investment in ocean observation, positioning Europe at the forefront of marine monitoring as the United States proceeds with the dismantling of the Ocean Observatories Initiative. The NSF has begun a descope of the OOI, pulling instruments from multiple U.S. sites while the EU commits hundreds of millions to expand global ocean data networks.