USC campus reopens for students, staff and ‘registered guests’
After a brief closure overnight due to what the university called a “disturbance,” the University of Southern California reopened its main campus Sunday morning — though not in full.
In a post to X, formerly Twitter, USC said two entrances, the McCarthy and McClintock gates, were open for students, staff, faculty and “registered guests.”
Those looking to register a guest can do so online, and then check in with security at one of those gates.
USC initially announced the closure of the University Park campus to the public at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday. While the university wasn’t specific in what the “disturbance” on campus was referring to, a growing number of protesters have taken to the school in recent days to voice their opposition to the Israel-Hamas War.
According to KTLA’s Chris Wolfe, there were reports of vandalism on the campus Saturday.
Demonstrators have constructed an encampment in the middle of campus as they call for a ceasefire in Gaza, where roughly 34,000 people have died from the violence.
The protest joins many others on college campuses across the country, including nearby UCLA where a pro-Israeli counter protest was scheduled for Sunday.
USC’s handling of the pro-Palestinian protests and advocates has come under scrutiny in recent weeks.
On April 15, the university canceled the Class of 2024 Valedictorian’s speech at the then-upcoming main commencement due to “safety issues.” Asna Tabassum, who was scheduled to give the speech, had a pro-Palestinian website linked in her Instagram biography, and was accused of antisemitism from pro-Israeli groups.
Earlier this week, USC opted to cancel the main commencement in whole, once again citing “safety issues.”
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