The University of Southern California is taking steps to increase security measures on campus as commencement approaches. The USC Department of Public Safety has announced that they will be adding more private security ambassadors and stationing LAPD officers on campus during the commencement period.
Assistant Chief David Carlisle from the USC Department of Public Safety stated in an email that the heightened security measures will be in place through commencement to ensure the safety of all attendees and participants.
It was previously reported that USC will be hosting a 'family graduate celebration' on Thursday, May 9 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. However, the main-stage graduation ceremony, which was originally scheduled for May 10, has been canceled by USC due to logistical challenges in processing the expected 65,000 attendees under the new safety protocols.
The decision to increase security measures and cancel the main-stage graduation ceremony comes in the wake of recent protests on campus that led to multiple arrests. Additionally, USC faced controversy after rescinding valedictorian Asna Tabassum's invitation to speak at the commencement ceremony.
