USC Graduation 2024: Controversial Selection Leads to Unprecedented Security Measures and Alternative Celebrations

Los Angeles, California United States of America
Alternative graduation events held at various campus locations
Campus closed to non-credentialed visitors with TSA-like checkpoints, movement tightly controlled, bags searched and certain equipment confiscated to prevent political protests
Israel-Hamas war a source of controversy on many campuses leading to mass arrests and campus divisions
Liza Colón-Zayas and Jaren Lewison withdrew from speaking engagements, two speakers disappeared from graduation website
Main stage ceremony canceled due to safety concerns and unspecified threats over valedictorian's pro-Palestinian views
Smaller celebrations taking place at USC's 23 schools and academic units
University of Southern California (USC) graduation ceremonies set to begin on May 8, 2024
USC Class of 2024 will make history as first graduating class to experience commencement with heightened security measures and alternative celebration formats
USC students frustrated and disappointed about cancellation of commencement ceremony
USC Graduation 2024: Controversial Selection Leads to Unprecedented Security Measures and Alternative Celebrations

The University of Southern California (USC) graduation ceremonies are set to begin on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, following weeks of protests and campus unrest. The traditional main stage graduation ceremony was canceled due to safety concerns and unspecified threats over the selection of a valedictorian with pro-Palestinian views. In place of the main stage ceremony, alternative graduation events are being held at various campus locations.

USC students have expressed frustration and disappointment about the cancellation of their commencement ceremony. Liza Colón-Zayas, who was scheduled to speak at the school of dramatic arts' commencement, and Jaren Lewison, who was set to address graduates at two large ceremonies for the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, have both withdrawn from their speaking engagements. Two speakers at the engineering school's ceremony have also disappeared from the school's graduation website.

The campus has been closed to non-credentialed visitors behind a system of TSA-like checkpoints. Movement will be tightly controlled at commencement, and families of graduates will need special digital tickets to move among venues. Bags will be searched, and certain equipment confiscated to prevent political protests.

Despite the changes, smaller celebrations are still taking place at USC's 23 schools and academic units. The university has encouraged students to attend these events and celebrate their achievements with their peers.

The Israel-Hamas war has been a source of controversy on many campuses across the country, leading to mass arrests and campus divisions. At UCLA, a mob attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment, resulting in violence. Cal Poly Humboldt has planned three off-campus graduations instead of one large ceremony at Redwood Bowl stadium due to safety concerns.

The USC Class of 2024 will make history as the first graduating class to experience a commencement unlike any other, with heightened security measures and alternative celebration formats. Despite these challenges, students remain hopeful that their achievements will be recognized and celebrated in some way.


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Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Were there any other reasons for canceling the main stage ceremony?
  • Were the threats against the valedictorian credible?
  • Why did certain speakers disappear from the graduation website?

Sources

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

USC Tries to Save Its Graduation After Campus Protests and Arrests

The Name Of The NZ Prefix. I PWA NZI.P.Was Dropped. Shawn Hubler, Wednesday, 08 May 2024 09:35
  • Unique Points
    • Two keynote speakers have publicly withdrawn from the school of education’s commencement.
    • Liza Colón-Zayas, who plays Tina on FX series ‘The Bear’, is no longer able to join the school of dramatic arts’ commencement.
    • Jaren Lewison, of Netflix series ‘Never Have I Ever’, is rethinking his commitment to address graduates at two large commencements for the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
    • Two speakers at the engineering school’s ceremony have disappeared abruptly from the school’s graduation website.
    • The campus has been closed to non-credentialed visitors behind a system of TSA-like checkpoints.
    • Movement will be tightly controlled at commencement. Families of graduates will need special digital tickets to move among venues. Bags will be searched and certain equipment confiscated.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

95%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

USC students discuss cancelled commencement, campus protests

CBS News Site: https://www.cbsnews.com/articles/about-us/ CBS News Wednesday, 08 May 2024 15:28
  • Unique Points
    • USC students discuss cancelled commencement (unique to the initial article)
    • Students also discuss campus protests (unique to the initial article)
  • Accuracy
    • USC students discuss cancelled commencement
    • Two speakers have publicly withdrawn from the school of education’s commencement.
    • The campus has been closed to non-credentialed visitors behind a system of TSA-like checkpoints.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

94%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

USC to begin graduation ceremonies after pro-Palestinian protests, campus unrest

ABC7 News (KABC-TV / ABC7 Los Angeles) Wednesday, 08 May 2024 12:19
  • Unique Points
    • The traditional main stage graduation ceremony was canceled due to campus unrest.
    • In place of the main stage ceremony, a alternative graduation event is being held.
  • Accuracy
    • USC’s commencement celebrations will begin on Wednesday and continue throughout the week.
    • In place of the main stage ceremony, a 'Commencement Without Borders' event will be held.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains a few instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. It uses loaded language such as 'pro-Palestinian protests' and 'campus unrest', which are dichotomous depictions that oversimplify the situation. Additionally, it mentions the Council on American-Islamic Relations's opinion without providing a counterpoint, an appeal to authority. Lastly, there is an example of inflammatory rhetoric with the description of 'drone shows, fireworks, surprise performances', which seems intended to distract from the controversy surrounding the graduation.
    • pro-Palestinian protests
    • campus unrest
    • the Council on American-Islamic Relations...an act of cowardice aimed at silencing a pro-Palestinian viewpoint.
    • drone shows, fireworks, surprise performances
  • Bias (95%)
    The article reports on the cancellation of USC's main graduation ceremony due to protests and unrest on campus. The author does not express any bias in the reporting, but there are several instances where they mention the pro-Palestinian views of Asna Tabassum, who was set to be the valedictorian and whose speech was cancelled due to safety concerns. The author also mentions that some critics claimed her social media postings were antisemitic, which Tabassum denies. However, there is a clear bias in the way these events are framed in the article. The author repeatedly refers to the protesters as demanding that USC divest from Israeli-tied organizations and cancelling Israel-related study abroad programs, implying that this is an extreme or unreasonable position. This framing is biased as it presents these actions as negative and disruptive, rather than acknowledging the validity of the protesters' concerns. The author also mentions that some critics claimed Tabassum's postings were antisemitic, but does not provide any evidence or context for these claims. This lack of context and impartiality in reporting is a form of bias.
    • protesters demanded that the university divest from Israeli-tied organizations, cancel Israel-related study abroad program
      • some critics claimed her postings on social media were antisemitic
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      95%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      USC graduation ceremonies to begin amid ongoing protests

      Entertainment Variety Tv Site: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv-site/ Unknown CBS-Losangeles Wednesday, 08 May 2024 15:30
      • Unique Points
        • The University of Southern California (USC) will begin celebratory events for graduation on Wednesday.
      • Accuracy
        • Protests over the war in Gaza are ongoing at USC and have resulted in the cancellation of the official commencement ceremony.
        • USC students discuss cancelled commencement
        • USC: Main stage graduation ceremony canceled due to unspecified threats over valedictorian’s selection
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      73%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Metal detectors, fear, frustration. College commencements altered amid protests

      The Los Angeles Times Jaweed Kaleem, Sunday, 05 May 2024 11:00
      • Unique Points
        • Protests over Israel-Hamas war leading to mass arrests and campus divisions at universities across the country
        • UCLA: Mob attacked pro-Palestinian encampment, violence erupted
        • USC: Main stage graduation ceremony canceled due to unspecified threats over valedictorian’s selection
        • Annette Ricchiazzi, USC alumna, unable to bring all family members due to ticket limitations and security measures
        • Cal Poly Humboldt: Three off-campus graduations planned instead of one large ceremony at Redwood Bowl stadium
        • Ruby Cayenne, Cal Poly Humboldt senior, disappointed about graduation changes and lack of traditional celebration
      • Accuracy
        • USC: Graduating students limited to eight tickets and new ‘Trojan Family’ event added as compensation
        • Two speakers at the engineering school’s ceremony have disappeared abruptly from the school’s graduation website.
      • Deception (30%)
        The article contains selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author focuses on the negative changes to graduation ceremonies at USC due to protests, while downplaying or omitting information about the reasons for these protests. The author also uses emotive language such as 'volatile time of campus divisions' and 'mass arrests and turmoil' to manipulate readers' emotions.
        • Only Ricchiazzi, her husband and their two other children will attend the Wednesday theater commencement.
        • Last week at UCLA a mob attacked an encampment, and violence erupted.
        • The biggest commencement overhaul is at USC, where the 65,000-attendee ‘main stage’ ceremony was canceled after unspecified threats over the selection of a pro-Palestinian valedictorian who critics said was antisemitic.
        • The drastic changes arrive as universities grapple with pro-Palestinian tent camps – the scenes of recent mass arrests and turmoil during a volatile time of campus divisions over the Israel-Hamas war.
      • Fallacies (75%)
        The article contains some inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority, but overall it reports on events and statements without committing fallacies itself. The author does not make any false claims or engage in<dummy00006>'s dichotomous depictions of the situation. There are examples of inflammatory language used by protesters, but no clear logical fallacies committed by the author.
        • The drastic changes arrive as universities grapple with pro-Palestinian tent camps — the scenes of recent mass arrests and turmoil — during a volatile time of campus divisions over the Israel-Hamas war.
        • USC has also instituted a “clear bag” rule and will run guests through metal detectors as they enter the typically open campus gates.
        • In an interview Monday, USC President Carol Folt would not commit to avoiding further arrests and did not indicate whether she planned to call for the removal the tents before graduation.
      • Bias (75%)
        The authors use language that depicts the protesters as causing disruption and obstructing normal functions of the university, implying that their actions are extreme and unreasonable. They also mention the protests multiple times in relation to graduation ceremonies, suggesting a disproportionate focus on this issue.
        • Every part of our campuses, including Alumni Park, must be fully accessible and free from vandalism and harassment.
          • Nobody is Entitled to obstruct the normal functions of our university, including commencement.
            • Speaking to a reporter before the camp was cleared on Sunday, a spokesperson for student activists said, We will be back. Free Palestine.
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication