The head of the International Monetary Fund has canceled a commencement speech at Smith College after students and faculty voiced protest. Nearly 500 people signed a petition opposing the appearance of Christine Lagarde, calling the IMF “a primary culprit in the failed developmental policies implanted in some of the world’s poorest countries … strengthening imperialist and patriarchal systems that oppress and abuse women worldwide.” Following the petition, Lagarde said she is withdrawing to “preserve the celebratory spirit of commencement day.” The move comes one week after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice cancelled a commencement address at Rutgers University following a wave of campus protest.