ALLENDALE, MI -- Grand Valley State University has tapped Gov. Rick Snyder to speak at the school’s commencement ceremony next month, a decision that has drawn protest from some students.

Students are challenging the university's decision in a Facebook page and an online petition, in which they claim Snyder's policies "support education cuts," "nullify voter's decisions" and "are harmful to the student body and threaten Democracy."

In a statement, Vice President for University Relations Matt McLogan said it’s customary for GVSU to invite Michigan’s governor to at least one major event. The university has done so since it was founded in 1961.

“I recognize that some students take exception to some of the Governor’s policies,” McLogan wrote. “Grand Valley stands for the right of free expression, and I am sure that the students expressing their views will be respectful of the Governor when he exercises the same privilege.”

GVSU’s commencement takes place on April 27 at Van Andel Arena. Snyder will speak at the morning ceremony. Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan, will give the featured address at the afternoon ceremony.

Students have gathered more than 100 signatures from those opposed to Snyder’s appearance, according to the Facebook page “GVSU Students to Protest Rick Snyder for Commencement Speaker.”

On the page, one user wrote: “(Snyder) doesn't deserve to speak at graduation due to his lack of respect for public education including teachers and his cuts in education funding!”

Snyder cut the state’s higher education budget by 15 percent in the 2011-12 budget. He awarded universities a slight funding boost in last year’s budget and is proposing to do the same this year.

Related: President Gerald R. Ford's daughter, Susan Ford Bales, urges Grand Valley State University graduates to serve public

Controversy surrounding the governor's speaking engagements is nothing new.

In December – shortly after Snyder signed controversial right-to-work legislation – crowds gathered outside Michigan State University's Breslin Student Center to protest the governor's commencement speech.

Students also protested when Snyder delivered the 2011 spring commencement at the University of Michigan.

Despite the opposition of some students, McLogan did not indicate GVSU was reconsidering its decision to invite Snyder.

"We look forward to welcoming Gov. Snyder to Grand Valley's upcoming commencement," McLogan said. "In his comments to me, the Governor has been complimentary of Grand Valley's academic success – a reputation made possible by the talent of our graduates."



Email Brian McVicar and follow him on Twitter

