In response to ongoing student protests and unrest surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict, the University of Southern California has decided to cancel its annual main stage commencement event scheduled for Thursday.
Officials at the institution announced on Thursday that they believe the May 10 event poses a safety risk for the expected 65,000 attendees.
The USC statement explained that new safety measures will significantly increase the time required to process the large number of guests, making it impossible to host the main stage ceremony that usually accommodates 65,000 attendees within a short timeframe from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
However, all traditional individual school commencement ceremonies, including the crossing of the stage, name announcements, photography, and diploma presentations, will proceed as planned.
The decision was made amidst pro-Palestine student protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, which have gained national attention. Demonstrations of various sizes and intensities have occurred at prestigious universities across the country for several months, with particular focus on actions at Columbia University in the past week.
Ninety-three individuals were arrested during daylong protests at USC’s Alumni Park in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, where ongoing demonstrations have been primarily motivated by opposition to the school's decision to withdraw valedictorian Asna Tabassum from speaking at commencement due to safety concerns. USC provost Andrew Guzman's online letter on April 15 highlighted the contentious discussion surrounding the selection of the valedictorian, triggered by accusations from pro-Israel student groups that the biomedical graduate had engaged in and propagated antisemitic rhetoric online. Regarding the cancellation of the main commencement event, USC expressed understanding of the disappointment, while emphasizing the addition of new activities and celebrations to ensure an academically meaningful, memorable, and distinctly USC graduation experience.
The university also mentioned plans for gatherings with family, friends, faculty, and staff, as well as the celebratory releasing of doves and performances by the Trojan Marching Band.
Find out more about the decision and adjustments to the May 10 schedule.
The event raised safety concerns after 93 protest-related arrests on Wednesday, prompting the university to take action. here.
