The University of Southern California (USC) announced Thursday that it was canceling its main stage commencement ceremony for 2024 graduates as anti-Israel protests have shut down its campus.
Among the outlined safety measures include showing tickets in order to be granted access to the USC campus as well as attendees and their bags being screened, with “a clear bag policy.”
USC CLOSES CAMPUS ‘UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE’ FOLLOWING ANTI-ISRAEL PROTEST, 93 ARRESTED FOR TRESPASSING Critics bashed the move on social media.
Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin reported, “USC announces it is cancelling its main stage commencement ceremony.
Have the graduation and arrest anyone who disrupts it,” Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen told USC.
As a result, USC is canceling its main commencement, a long-standing tradition celebrating all their hard-working students.
“USC has gone from banning the student commencement speaker to canceling its entire graduation ceremony in a couple of weeks,” hedge fund manager Tom Hearden wrote.
The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period,” USC Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Andrew T. Guzman wrote at the time.
The University of Southern California (USC) declared on Thursday that due to anti-Israel demonstrations, the school would not be holding its main stage commencement ceremony for 2024 graduates.
The year-round implementation of additional safety protocols will result in a significant rise in processing times for the numerous visitors to campus. Due to this, we will not be able to have the main stage ceremony, which usually draws 65,000 students, families, and friends to our campus simultaneously and for a brief period of time starting at 8:30 a.m. m. until 10 a.m. m. On their website, USC said.
The university stated that doctoral hooding ceremonies, commencement exercises, and other events will still take place from May 8–11. However, because of increased security, it advised students and their families to “allow more time” to get to their commencements.
The listed safety precautions include screening attendees’ bags and requiring tickets to enter the USC campus, along with a “clear bag policy.”. “.
After an anti-Israel protest, in which 93 people were arrested for trespassing, USC closed the campus “until further notice.”.
On social media, detractors criticized the move.
The main stage commencement ceremony at USC has been canceled, according to Bill Melugin, national correspondent for Fox News. Comments are closed now. devastating for the class of ’24. Most likely won’t receive a traditional college diploma after failing to graduate from high school during COVID in 2020. “.
Simply a scandal. “Have the graduation and arrest anyone who interferes,” USC contributor Marc Thiessen, a contributor to Fox News, said.
“The graduation celebration is something that friends, family, and students all look forward to. They can’t now due to the pro-Hamas crowd. This is not what America should be experiencing,” Rep. Yakym, Rudy, R-Ind. declared.
“One of America’s top universities has been severely damaged by ‘protesters’ who support Hamas. Consequently, USC is calling off its main commencement, a long-standing custom honoring all of its diligent students. This can never be tolerated,” said Rep. Mark Alford, Republic of Missouri. , responded.
Hedge fund manager Tom Hearden wrote, “USC has gone from banning the student commencement speaker to canceling its entire graduation ceremony in a couple of weeks.”. “I would be furious if I were a parent or graduate. Thanks for the $340,000. We’ll mail you the diploma, hopefully. “.
OutKick’s Tomi Lahren wrote, “Caving to campus terrorists.”.
Following the significant anti-Israel demonstration on Wednesday that led to 93 arrests, USC declared that its campus would remain closed “until further notice.” This announcement prompted the decision.
At about four p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department made its way to campus. M. When demonstrators from the “Gaza Solidarity Occupation” refused to abide by the university’s request to vacate the space, Capt. Kelly Muniz stated Wednesday evening on X. Although Muniz pointed out that one altercation resulted in an arrest for assault with a deadly weapon, the majority of the arrests were made for trespassing violations.
A CNN reporter interrupts an early USC anti-Israel protest report as he is surrounded by hecklers, calling the situation “nasty.”.
It should be made clear that speech freedom has no bearing on this decision. Speaking at a commencement is not guaranteed by the right to free speech. Here, the main concern is how to preserve campus safety and security,” said USC Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Andrew T. During the time, Guzman wrote.
“Those who try to spread hatred don’t surprise me. Tabassum responded, “I am shocked that my own university, which served as my home for four years, has deserted me.
Following anti-Israel social media posts and the emergence of security concerns, USC cancels the valedictorianu’s graduation speech.
Recent weeks have seen an outbreak of anti-Israel demonstrations on college campuses across the nation; many of these have taken the form of encampments, which have frequently increased tensions with the authorities.
Due to the widespread anti-Israel demonstrations on campus, Columbia University in New York City recently declared that classes will be conducted virtually for the remainder of the semester.
