Cantor defends graduation speaker

Chancellor Nancy Cantor issued a statement to the Syracuse University community today defending the choice of Jamie Dimon, the head of JPMorgan Chase, as this year's commencement speaker. 

"Whether one agrees or disagrees with the selection, there is no question that Mr. Dimon is playing a key role, front and center in addressing one of, if not the major global challenge(s) of our day," Cantor said in her statement which was emailed to students.

Some students oppose Dimon as a speaker because they believe he was chosen "to restore the public image of the banking industry and validate the anti-environmental and anti-humanitarian interests of JP Morgan Chase," according to the petition. 

A campus protest is planned for next Wednesday on the Quad at 4 p.m., according to the Daily Orange. Students are circulating a petition to get Dimon removed as the commencement speaker. Students have also created a "Take Back Commencement" Facebook page which has more than 800 members.

Dimon is scheduled to speak at the graduation ceremony which will be held May 16 at 9:30 a.m. at the Carrier Dome.

Last year Vice President Joe Biden was the commencement speaker.