Students petition SIU to can Rauner appearance

Some Southern Illinois University students aren't happy with the school's decision to have Gov. Bruce Rauner as a keynote speaker at next month's graduation ceremony.

In a recent petition, students at the university's Carbondale campus expressed their displeasure with Rauner's scheduled appearance, calling for him to be replaced.

Rauner, who is scheduled to speak at the 1:30 p.m. ceremony on May 16, has faced criticism over recent budget cuts after he announced a 31 percent reduction in state funds to the public university's budget.

"Graduation should celebrate not only the achievements of students as individuals, but the institution of SIU as a whole," the petition reads. "How can anyone be expected to celebrate progress when our keynote speaker is someone who only intends to set us back?"