With USC making international headlines for the decision to “release our outside speakers and honorees from attending this year’s ceremony” and canceling Valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s speech, graduates are voicing their frustrations and disappointment with the school’s changes to the program.
The released statement claimed that the decision was made to “keep the focus on our graduates,” while citing unspecified safety concerns, but USC’s 2021 Valedictorian Tianna Shaw-Wakeman said she believes otherwise, and through a collaborative post with human rights and advocacy organizations on campus, explained that her address was broadcast at 14 USC graduation ceremonies.
“Even in the midst of a global pandemic, and as other universities shuttered their graduations, USC went above and beyond to ensure that students from the class of 2020 and 2021 could participate in an in person ceremony with their loved ones,” Shaw-Wakeman wrote in the Instagram post. “Make no mistake, if USC could hold 14 graduations to protect graduates from COVID-19, then they could protect Asna this May. Clearly, their decision is not about ‘security.’”
Others said they feel the decision was not made with graduates at the forefront, especially after COVID ruined their high school graduation experiences.
“While our high school graduation may have been affected by circumstances beyond our control, USC has the capability to provide the graduation ceremony we’ve eagerly anticipated and rightfully earned,” says Malaika Jamal, a senior graduating with a bachelor’s in cognitive science this May.
“[The graduating class] urge[s] the university to prioritize transparency and communication regarding their plans for graduation and to explore alternative solutions that honor the achievements of the graduating class,” Jamal added.
A lot of students said they are just attempting to make the best of the situation.
“I did not have a graduation in high school, so I am happy with anything at this point. I just want my family to see me walk the stage,” said Annenberg senior Arath Latorre.
Michael Dong, a business finance major, expressed similar sentiments as he has family flying in from across the globe, including China, to attend his graduation.
“My godmother who is traveling from Texas is sad for me since I never had a proper high school graduation either,” Dong said. “This really reaffirmed my view on USC as an institution – that it’s privately held. There’s shareholders, endowment and certain metrics that they have to meet.”
Reflecting on the redesigning of the commencement ceremony in wake of pressure both on campus and from the general public, Latorre said he believes “they canceled guest speakers because they were panicking and had no idea what to do.”
The university declined to give an update past what was released last Friday. More clarity on the situation is expected in the coming days.