The University of Southern California (USC) has announced the cancellation of its traditional “main stage” graduation ceremony, originally planned for May 10 at Alumni Park. The decision, affecting approximately 65,000 attendees, was influenced by recent campus anti-Israel protests and the implementation of new safety protocols. According to the university, these measures would significantly delay the entry process for guests, prompting the decision to forego the large-scale event.
In lieu of the main ceremony, USC has planned a series of smaller, decentralized commencement activities designed to maintain the celebratory spirit of graduation. These events will include intimate gatherings for students with their families, friends, faculty, and staff, alongside performances by the Trojan Marching Band and a symbolic releasing of doves. These modifications aim to create a commencement that is “academically meaningful, memorable, and uniquely USC,” as stated in the university’s announcement to the community.
The backdrop to this change is a series of protests that have swept the campus, centered particularly around accusations of anti-Israel and anti-Zionist rhetoric associated with Asna Tabassum, the school’s valedictorian. Tabassum, who minored in resistance to genocide, faced criticism for her social media activities, which included endorsing contentious views on Zionism and linking to a website advocating for Palestinian issues. Critics have scrutinized her posts and the linked content, which discusses the abolition of the state of Israel to facilitate a single Palestinian state where “both Arabs and Jews can live together.”
This controversy has heightened tensions on campus, leading to a significant protest where nearly 100 students were arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Most arrests were for trespassing, with one escalated charge of assault with a deadly weapon. Tabassum has remained firm in her stance, asserting that her views are consistent with the values taught at USC.
While the main graduation event is canceled, USC assures that the essence of the commencement experience will be preserved through the various smaller ceremonies scheduled. Each school within the university will conduct its own commencement, allowing students the opportunity to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas in a more controlled and personalized setting. This approach aims to honor the achievements of graduates while addressing the complex dynamics of the current campus environment.