• Jailed students, a canceled commencement, angry parents: USC’s Carol Folt takes on critics

    When USC trustees selected Carol Folt as their next president, they gave her one of the most challenging mandates in American higher education: Restore trust in a university diminished by scandals. She replaced key administrators, brokered a $1-billion settlement with alumnae victimized by a sexually abusive gynecologist, hired a new football coach and authorized the removal of the name of an antisemitic, eugenics-supporting former USC president from an iconic campus building. To dozens of...

  • As USC cancels commencement, Columbia students worry theirs could be disrupted

    As the University of Southern California in Los Angeles canceled its main commencement ceremony because of safety concerns over student protests, students at Columbia University in New York, where anti-war demonstrations led to dozens of arrests, said they feared theirs could be disrupted. Schools across the country where protests have flared up are keeping mum about whether they will adjust or outright cancel their ceremonies, but some students said they feared a domino effect — much like what...

  • USC cancels main commencement, citing safety measures

    The University of Southern California (USC) said on Thursday it has called off its main-stage graduation ceremony this year, one week after canceling the valedictorian speech by a Muslim student who said she was silenced by anti-Palestinian hatred. New safety measures in place this year, such as additional screening procedures,

  • USC Blasted for Canceling Commencement Ceremony: 'Failure of Leadership'

    The University of Southern California (USC) is facing heavy backlash on social media after announcing on Thursday that its main graduation ceremony will not be held this year.The school's decision comes amid ongoing pro-Palestinian protests on campus and follows the cancelation of the valedictory address of Asna Tabassum. The school cited safety concerns for canceling Tabassum's speech, but she has said she believes her speech was scrapped over her support of Palestinians.USC is one of an...

  • UVM Cancels Commencement Speaker Amid Pro-Palestinian Protest

    U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who drew the ire of pro-Palestine activists, will not speak as planned at the University of Vermont's commencement this month. University president Suresh Garimella delivered the news in a campus-wide email late Friday that offered no explanation for the change. He did write, however, that graduating students deserve to be able to celebrate their achievements. It was part of a message discussing the administration's response...

  • Commencement speakers launch boycott of USC satellite graduation ceremonies

    When USC President Carol Folt called off the 65,000-attendee “main stage” commencement amid pro-Palestinian protests and anger over the cancellation of pro-Palestinian student Asna Tabassum’s speaking slot, USC promised that more than two dozen satellite graduation ceremonies for individual colleges would continue as planned.

  • Commencement speakers launch boycott of USC satellite graduation ceremonies

    When USC President Carol Folt called off the 65,000-attendee “main stage” commencement amid pro-Palestinian protests and anger over the cancellation of pro-Palestinian student Asna Tabassum's speaking slot, USC promised that more than two dozen satellite graduation ceremonies for individual colleges would continue as planned. But on Sunday, two high-profile speakers scheduled to address graduates of the USC Rossier School of Education said they were dropping out in dismay at the university's...

  • USC cancels main commencement ceremony amid Gaza protests

    Move made after more than 90 demonstrators arrested on campus and university cancels pro-Palestinian valedictorian’s speechThe University of Southern California (USC) has canceled its main stage graduation ceremony, citing new safety measures as student protests over the Israel-Gaza war have surged on the campus.USC is one of many campuses across the country that have become hubs for student demonstrations against the war, with hundreds of arrests nationwide as tensions escalate. Police arrested...

  • USC cancels main commencement ceremony amid Gaza war protests

    The University of Southern California canceled its main graduation ceremony Thursday and hundreds of college students were arrested at other campuses nationwide as protests against the Israel-Hamas war continued to spread.

  • Letters to the Editor: What's the matter at USC? Readers assail canceled commencement, poor leadership

    To the editor: At what age did we all learn that two wrongs don't make a right? Obviously, those in positions of power at USC have not learned that lesson. First, the valedictorian was told she will not be speaking at the university's main commencement ceremony next month. The school offered only vague explanations as to why this decision has been made. If that wasn't bad enough, the school made another poor choice when it announced Thursday the cancellation of commencement on May 10. What...

    • KIFI

    USC's move to cancel commencement amid protests draws criticism from students, alumni

    By STEFANIE DAZIO Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — The University of Southern California’s decision Thursday to cancel its main graduation ceremony, a move that came 10 days after administrators said the student valedictorian who had expressed support for Palestinians would not be allowed to speak, left students and alumni stunned as protests over the