Graduation ceremonies will be taking place at USC on Friday with the first ceremony taking place at 9:30 a.m.
Commencement ceremonies kicked off on Wednesday; however, the vast majority of ceremonies are taking place on Friday.
Some of those graduating headed to 901 Bar and Grill in their cap and gowns prior to the ceremonies. One graduating student told KNX News’ Jon Baird it’s a yearly tradition.
“All the seniors come…some people camp out overnight,” she said. “We just got here. The bar is just about to open and we're all very excited.”
It comes following weeks of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus, which resulted in arrests. On April 24, more than 90 people were arrested after demonstrators refused to leave the campus. A day later, USC announced its main stage commencement ceremony was cancelled.
One student told Jon Baird he doesn’t think there will be any disruptions at Friday’s ceremonies.
“I think those protesting understand that this… I mean, like this is [the] class of 2020 from high school. They didn't get a graduation,” he said. “Like I took two years off so I had my graduation in 2018. But, I mean, imagine if these guys didn't get a high school graduation and then didn't get a college graduation.”
It also comes hours after SEIU Local 721, the union representing shuttle drivers and dispatchers who work for USC, reached a tentative agreement with management on Thursday night. The union was planning a one-day strike.
On Thursday night, the university hosted the Trojan Family Graduate Celebration at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
City News Service contributed to this story.
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