USC’s Controversial Commencement: Canceled Main Stage Ceremony, Protests, and New Celebrations Amidst Heightened Security Measures

Following weeks of campus turmoil, USC’s graduation festivities will kick off on Wednesday. The university’s traditional main stage ceremony, scheduled for Friday and typically attended by over 60,000 people, was cancelled due to recent unrest. Instead, a “Trojan Family Graduate Celebration” will take place on Thursday evening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, featuring drone shows, fireworks, surprise performances, the Trojan Marching Band, and a special gift for the Class of 2024. Each graduate will be eligible to receive up to six tickets for the event, and tickets will be necessary for entry to all commencement events due to heightened security measures. The university’s decision to cancel the main stage ceremony sparked controversy following the selection of Asna Tabassum, a pro-Palestine activist, as valedictorian. Tabassum was barred from delivering her speech due to safety concerns, which led to accusations of censorship from organizations such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations. As a result, the university opted to eliminate all outside speakers and cancel plans to present honorary degrees during the ceremony. Protests on campus escalated following Tabassum’s exclusion, with protesters demanding that USC divest from Israeli-linked organizations, terminate Israel-related study-abroad programs, and advocate for a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Over 90 individuals were detained during a day-long protest and attempted occupation of Alumni Park. Subsequently, the university withdrew its decision to bestow honorary degrees at the main stage ceremony, promising to confer them at a future academic event. Another pro-Palestine encampment was established in Alumni Park, which remained in place until early Sunday morning, when authorities dismantled it. As a response to the recent unrest, the university has added new activities and celebrations to make this year’s commencement ceremony unique and meaningful to graduates, including designated areas for families, friends, faculty, and staff, dove releases, and Trojan Marching Band performances. With tensions still running high, all attendees must present digital tickets to attend any of the ceremonies or events. Graduates may invite up to eight named guests for commencement events besides the Thursday night event, which is restricted to six tickets per graduate.