Culver v. Ernst & Young (George Washington University)

Summary

Cecilia Culver, a graduate of George Washington University’s Columbian College of Arts & Sciences who was employed by Ernst & Young at the time, filed a complaint on April 16, 2026 in the U.S. District Court against George Washington University, Ernst & Young, and multiple university and corporate officials. The complaint arose from events surrounding her May 17, 2025 commencement speech and alleged discrimination and defamation tied to her subsequent treatment by both institutions. Culver alleged that the defendants “coordinated to end [her] career—without process, without cause, and without conscience,” and claimed she was terminated and subjected to retaliation for protected expression, resulting in reputational and professional harm.

At the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences graduation ceremony on May 17, 2025, Culver delivered a student commencement address after submitting a different version of remarks for prior review under university commencement procedures. In the speech, she stated, “For over a year, we have watched a genocide be committed against Palestinians,” and added, “I am ashamed to know that my own tuition is being used to fund this genocide.” She also called upon her graduating class “to withhold donations and continue advocating for disclosure and divestment,” and urged divestment from companies connected to Israel. According to contemporaneous accounts of the ceremony and subsequent university statements, her remarks received both applause and audible reaction from attendees during the address.

Immediately after the ceremony, a dean acknowledged the speech and stated, “We represent a variety of views, and we thank you for sharing your words and your views.” The university then issued a statement describing Culver’s conduct as “inappropriate and dishonest,” asserting that she “submitted and recited in rehearsal very different remarks than those she delivered at the ceremony.” George Washington University further stated that she had “strayed from her prepared remarks” and emphasized that the statements made did not reflect the institution. The university also stated that it was reviewing the incident and the circumstances surrounding the ceremony.

On May 20, 2025, George Washington University announced that Culver was barred from all university campuses and university-sponsored events. In its statement, the university reiterated that the speaker had “submitted and recited in rehearsal very different remarks than those she delivered at the ceremony,” and said the action followed her “use of the commencement platform to criticize the institution and call for divestment from companies tied to Israel.” George Washington University also stated that it was responding to what it described as disruption during the graduation ceremony and said it was continuing a review of the incident and potential policy violations related to commencement procedures.

Within approximately 24 hours of the commencement speech, Ernst & Young placed Culver on administrative leave and later terminated her employment. Culver alleged that Ernst & Young did not identify a specific policy violation and did not conduct a formal investigation prior to termination. She further alleged that both Ernst & Young and George Washington University acted in response to external pressure and reputational consequences connected to the circulation and content of her remarks following the May 17, 2025 ceremony.