The University of Southern California canceled its annual main stage commencement event in light of continued student protests and unrest over the Israel-Gaza conflict in the Middle East.
The university determined that the May 10 event is a safety risk for its expected 65,000 attendees, officials said in their Thursday announcement.
“With the new safety measures in place this year, the time needed to process the large number of guests coming to campus will increase substantially,” the USC statement read. “As a result, we will not be able to host the main stage ceremony that traditionally brings 65,000 students, families and friends to our campus all at the same time and during a short window from 8:30 a.m.