Condoleezza Rice declines to speak at Rutgers after student protests

By Kristina Sguelglia, CNN

Updated 0601 GMT (1401 HKT) May 5, 2014

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Author and HBO host Bill Maher is scheduled to be the commencement speaker at University of California, Berkeley in December 2014. <a href="https://www.change.org/p/university-of-california-berkeley-stop-bill-maher-from-speaking-at-uc-berkeley-s-december-graduation" target="_blank">A petition on Change.org</a> urges the school to cancel Maher's speech, calling Maher "a blatant bigot and racist." Here, Maher attends the Summer TCA Tour in 2011. Click through to see more of 2014's big-name commencement speakers.

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

2014's big-name commencement speakers – Author and HBO host Bill Maher is scheduled to be the commencement speaker at University of California, Berkeley in December 2014. A petition on Change.org urges the school to cancel Maher's speech, calling Maher "a blatant bigot and racist." Here, Maher attends the Summer TCA Tour in 2011. Click through to see more of 2014's big-name commencement speakers.

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The founders and co-chairs of the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation gave the commencement address at Stanford University on June 15. "Even in dire situations, optimism can fuel innovation and lead to new tools to eliminate suffering. But if you never really see the people who are suffering, your optimism can't help them. You will never change their world," Bill Gates told students.<br />

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Bill and Melinda Gates – The founders and co-chairs of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gave the commencement address at Stanford University on June 15. "Even in dire situations, optimism can fuel innovation and lead to new tools to eliminate suffering. But if you never really see the people who are suffering, your optimism can't help them. You will never change their world," Bill Gates told students.

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The creator of "Scandal" and "Grey's Anatomy" spoke at Dartmouth College's commencement on June 8. "Whenever you see me somewhere succeeding in one area of my life, that almost certainly means I am failing in another area of my life," <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2014/06/10/pkg-shonda-rhimes-dartmouth-graduation-speech.wcax&video_referrer=">she told the graduates</a>. Rhimes is a 1991 graduate of the college.

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Shonda Rhimes – The creator of "Scandal" and "Grey's Anatomy" spoke at Dartmouth College's commencement on June 8. "Whenever you see me somewhere succeeding in one area of my life, that almost certainly means I am failing in another area of my life," she told the graduates. Rhimes is a 1991 graduate of the college.

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Michael Bloomberg, center, gave <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/29/us/bloomberg-harvard-speech/index.html">the commencement speech at Harvard University on May 29, 2014</a>. Bloomberg, Aretha Franklin, left, and George H.W. Bush, right, also received honorary degrees. "This spring, it has been disturbing to see a number of college commencement speakers withdraw -- or have their invitations rescinded -- after protests from students and -- to me, shockingly -- from senior faculty and administrators who should know better," the businessman and former mayor of New York City said during his speech.<br />

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Michael Bloomberg – Michael Bloomberg, center, gave the commencement speech at Harvard University on May 29, 2014. Bloomberg, Aretha Franklin, left, and George H.W. Bush, right, also received honorary degrees. "This spring, it has been disturbing to see a number of college commencement speakers withdraw -- or have their invitations rescinded -- after protests from students and -- to me, shockingly -- from senior faculty and administrators who should know better," the businessman and former mayor of New York City said during his speech.

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Sandra Bullock was the surprise commencement speaker at Warren Easton Charter High School's graduation in New Orleans on May 19. She has supported the school since shortly after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Her advice? "Stop worrying so much. Stop being scared of the unknown, because anything I worried about didn't happen," Bullock told the graduates. Also: "Do not pick your nose in public."

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Sandra Bullock – Sandra Bullock was the surprise commencement speaker at Warren Easton Charter High School's graduation in New Orleans on May 19. She has supported the school since shortly after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Her advice? "Stop worrying so much. Stop being scared of the unknown, because anything I worried about didn't happen," Bullock told the graduates. Also: "Do not pick your nose in public."

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The actor offered some <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/28/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/jim-carrey-commencement-speech/index.html">inspiring words to the Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa</a>, on May 24: "Like many of you, I was concerned about going out into the world and doing something bigger than myself, until someone smarter than myself made me realize that there is nothing bigger than myself," he said. "My soul is not contained within the limits of my body; my body is contained within the limitlessness of my soul."

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Jim Carrey – The actor offered some inspiring words to the Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, on May 24: "Like many of you, I was concerned about going out into the world and doing something bigger than myself, until someone smarter than myself made me realize that there is nothing bigger than myself," he said. "My soul is not contained within the limits of my body; my body is contained within the limitlessness of my soul."

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The president of the United States delivered the commencement address at University of California-Irvine on June 14. During the speech, <a href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/06/14/climate-change-deniers-serious-threat-to-future-obama-says/">he called lawmakers and pundits who deny manmade climate</a> change a "fairly serious threat to everybody's future."

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Barack Obama – The president of the United States delivered the commencement address at University of California-Irvine on June 14. During the speech, he called lawmakers and pundits who deny manmade climate change a "fairly serious threat to everybody's future."

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The vice president of the United States gives the commencement addresses at Miami-Dade College on May 3. He later spoke at the University of South Carolina on May 9 and his alma mater, the University of Delaware, on May 31.<br />

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Joe Biden – The vice president of the United States gives the commencement addresses at Miami-Dade College on May 3. He later spoke at the University of South Carolina on May 9 and his alma mater, the University of Delaware, on May 31.

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The first lady delivers the commencement address at Dillard University in New Orleans on May 10. She'll also <a href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/04/24/first-lady-changes-plans-after-controversy-over-high-school-graduation-address/">speak to seniors in Topeka, Kansas, just before their graduation</a> and the District of Columbia College Access Program in Washington this year.

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Michelle Obama – The first lady delivers the commencement address at Dillard University in New Orleans on May 10. She'll also speak to seniors in Topeka, Kansas, just before their graduation and the District of Columbia College Access Program in Washington this year.

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Gen. Colin Powell, the former secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivers the commencement speech at High Point University in North Carolina on May 3.

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Colin Powell – Gen. Colin Powell, the former secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivers the commencement speech at High Point University in North Carolina on May 3.

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The former president of the United States delivered the address at New York University-Abu Dhabi's inaugural commencement exercises on May 25.

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Bill Clinton – The former president of the United States delivered the address at New York University-Abu Dhabi's inaugural commencement exercises on May 25.

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The General Motors CEO delivers the commencement address at the University of Michigan on May 3. Barra, the first woman to lead a major automaker, urged students to rethink old assumptions and correct injustices.

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Mary Barra – The General Motors CEO delivers the commencement address at the University of Michigan on May 3. Barra, the first woman to lead a major automaker, urged students to rethink old assumptions and correct injustices.

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Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Sean Combs – The entrepreneur and entertainment mogul delivers the commencement speech at Howard University on May 10.

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Elin Nordegren, the ex-wife of Tiger Woods, gave <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2014/05/12/bts-tiger-woods-ex-graduation-speech.rollins-college.html">a commencement speech at Rollins College</a> after winning the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award from the Hamilton Holt School. "Education has been the only consistent part of my life the last nine years," she told her fellow grads. "And it has offered me comfort. Education is one thing that no one can take away from you."<br />

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Elin Nordegren – Elin Nordegren, the ex-wife of Tiger Woods, gave a commencement speech at Rollins College after winning the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award from the Hamilton Holt School. "Education has been the only consistent part of my life the last nine years," she told her fellow grads. "And it has offered me comfort. Education is one thing that no one can take away from you."

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Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Bill Nye – The "Science Guy" delivered a commencement address at University of Massachusetts Lowell on May 17.

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The Grammy-winning singer and songwriter delivered the commencement address at the University of Pennsylvania on May 19. Legend graduated from Penn in 1999. Here, he receives an honorary doctorate of music during the commencement ceremony.

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

John Legend – The Grammy-winning singer and songwriter delivered the commencement address at the University of Pennsylvania on May 19. Legend graduated from Penn in 1999. Here, he receives an honorary doctorate of music during the commencement ceremony.

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The U.S. Navy admiral delivered the keynote address at the University of Texas at Austin's commencement on May 17. McCraven is the ninth commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command; he planned and directed the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command raid that led to the death of Osama bin Laden.

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

William H. McRaven – The U.S. Navy admiral delivered the keynote address at the University of Texas at Austin's commencement on May 17. McCraven is the ninth commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command; he planned and directed the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command raid that led to the death of Osama bin Laden.

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The screenwriter and director of Disney's "Frozen" spoke at University of New Hampshire's commencement on May 17. Lee is a 1992 graduate of the school.

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Jennifer Lee – The screenwriter and director of Disney's "Frozen" spoke at University of New Hampshire's commencement on May 17. Lee is a 1992 graduate of the school.

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Jill Abramson, former executive editor of The New York Times, received an honorary doctorate during the commencement ceremony at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on May 19. It was <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2014/05/19/news/companies/abramson-speech/">Abramson's first public appearance</a> since her dismissal from The New York Times.

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Jill Abramson – Jill Abramson, former executive editor of The New York Times, received an honorary doctorate during the commencement ceremony at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on May 19. It was Abramson's first public appearance since her dismissal from The New York Times.

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The Denver Broncos quarterback spoke to graduates of the University of Virginia on May 17, even tossing a football to a few students.<br />

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Peyton Manning – The Denver Broncos quarterback spoke to graduates of the University of Virginia on May 17, even tossing a football to a few students.

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Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

John Kerry – The secretary of state delivered Yale University's Class Day address on May 18. Kerry is a 1966 graduate of Yale.

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Howard Koh, assistant secretary for health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, left, addressed graduates during a commencement ceremony at University of Massachusetts Lowell on May 17. He posed here with Marty Meehan, chancellor of the university.

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Howard Koh – Howard Koh, assistant secretary for health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, left, addressed graduates during a commencement ceremony at University of Massachusetts Lowell on May 17. He posed here with Marty Meehan, chancellor of the university.

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Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Fareed Zakaria – The host of "Fareed Zakaria GPS" on CNN delivered the commencement address at Sarah Lawrence College on May 23.

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Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Ed Helms – The actor from "The Office" and "The Hangover" spoke at Cornell University's senior class convocation on May 24.

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Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Janet Yellen – The Federal Reserve chairwoman delivered the commencement speech at New York University on May 21.

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The U.S. secretary of labor received an honorary degree during commencement services at Brown University on May 25; he graduated from the school in 1983. Perez also spoke at Oberlin College's commencement ceremony on May 26.

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Thomas Perez – The U.S. secretary of labor received an honorary degree during commencement services at Brown University on May 25; he graduated from the school in 1983. Perez also spoke at Oberlin College's commencement ceremony on May 26.

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Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Susan Wojcicki – YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki spoke at Johns Hopkins University's commencement on May 22.

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Former Vice President Al Gore addressed the class of 2014 at Princeton University's Class Day on June 2, the day before its commencement ceremony.

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Al Gore – Former Vice President Al Gore addressed the class of 2014 at Princeton University's Class Day on June 2, the day before its commencement ceremony.

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U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia delivered the commencement address at the William &amp; Mary Law School graduation ceremony on May 11. Here, he conducts a naturalization ceremony in 2013.

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Antonin Scalia – U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia delivered the commencement address at the William & Mary Law School graduation ceremony on May 11. Here, he conducts a naturalization ceremony in 2013.

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The former secretary of homeland security, now president of the University of California, delivered the commencement address at Northeastern University in Boston on May 2. Here, she gives a farewell address at the National Press Club in Washington in 2013.

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Janet Napolitano – The former secretary of homeland security, now president of the University of California, delivered the commencement address at Northeastern University in Boston on May 2. Here, she gives a farewell address at the National Press Club in Washington in 2013.

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The former chief executive of Microsoft spoke at the University of Washington's commencement on June 14. He's shown here at the opening of the Microsoft Center Berlin in 2013.

Photos: 2014's big-name commencement speakers

Steve Ballmer – The former chief executive of Microsoft spoke at the University of Washington's commencement on June 14. He's shown here at the opening of the Microsoft Center Berlin in 2013.

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michael bloomberg commencement 2014 RESTRICTED

Story highlights

Rutgers' president 'stands fully behind the invitation' but 'respects' her decision
Protesters allege the destruction in Iraq and 'torture tactics' for gathering information
Rice calls invitation 'a distraction for the university community at this very special time'
Some are upset by the protests and want Rice to come, student news editor says