In the wake of the cancellation of the university’s main commencement due to “safety measures,” USC announced plans Thursday night to celebrate the Class of 2024 in a different way.
Next Thursday, May 9, USC will hold what it calls the “Trojan Family Graduate Celebration” at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in place of the main commencement, which was canceled last month. Each graduate will receive up to six tickets to the event, which promises drone shows, fireworks, surprise performances, the Trojan marching band and a gift for the grads.
The university says the coliseum became available for the event due to last-second adjustments from other groups.
USC’s main commencement cancellation came as a wave of pro-Palestinian protests swept the nation’s college campuses.
The controversy began when the university decided to bar valedictorian Asna Tabassum from speaking at the commencement in mid-April. Tabassum was accused by pro-Israeli groups of liking and sharing anti-Israel posts on her Instagram page.
USC’s treatment of Tabassum became the subject of even more protests, eventually leading to the cancellation of commencement. Tensions have been high since, and restrictions on campus are still in place for non-students and staff.