USC canceled its main stage commencement ceremony and alerted students in an email sent out by USC Academic Events on April 25.
The decision comes in response to nearly 100 people being arrested on campus this week during a pro-Palestinian protest organized by USC Divest From Death Coalition. The announcement of restructured commencement ceremony has left friends and families of graduating students in a dicey situation, some even questioning their attendance.
Donna Butler-Goldbach, the mother of a graduating student, said she was now somewhat unsure about making the trip to Los Angeles given the lack of a main ceremony.
“Right now, my family needs to reassess the situation and decide what our plans will be moving forward,” Butler-Goldbach said.
In addition to the cancellation of the main stage commencement, the email from the university enacted other changes. Graduating students are now limited to eight guests along with a clear bag policy.
Kate Manges Douglas, a senior majoring in biological sciences, voiced her concern with the policy as a diabetic student – highlighting accommodation concerns around the policy.
“My insulin doesn’t get the protection of a bag that’s not clear to keep it insulated,” she said, going on to question whether cameras, flowers and other gifts would be allowed inside the campus.
People around the world are signing petitions for the class of 2024 to have their main stage commencement ceremony reinstated via platforms like change.org.
Robyn McGill, one of the petition respondents, highlighted frustration with USC’s decision and challenged the school mantra and beliefs.
“Hey USC, what happened to “Fight On!”? [sic] Literally means nothing after this cowardly decision to cancel graduation ceremony. Fight on like you proclaim and just move it to Colosseum,” McGill’s response read.
Bobbi Ann Wieland, the mother of a graduating student, was upset when she heard that the main commencement ceremony was canceled.
“My initial reaction was more anger,” said Wieland, highlighting disappointment due to the fact that her oldest child’s highschool graduation was also disrupted by the pandemic. “I heard only two weeks before we’re flying out as an entire family to witness the biggest accomplishment of her life so far, that the main commencement was going to be canceled.”