San Diego State University has increased security measures for this week’s commencement ceremonies, requiring graduating students to pass through a metal detector upon arrival at Viejas Arena.
Similar measures are being taken at colleges and universities across the country, amid large pro-Palestinian protests that have spread across campuses in recent weeks, alongside police crackdowns against many.
At SDSU, several hundred students staged a walkout and rally last week calling for the school to divest from business interests they say benefit Israel’s war in Gaza.
However, SDSU said it had long decided to require students to be scanned by metal detectors during this year’s ceremonies. Last year, the university began requiring ticketed visitors to pass detectors.
The university has said in the past that it is monitoring events such as protests to see if it needs to improve security.
SDSU will hold its graduation ceremonies Thursday through Sunday, with the largest event taking place Saturday. In total, nearly 12,000 students are eligible to graduate.
Meanwhile, the University of San Diego is taking an in-depth look at security after police cleared a protest encampment Monday, clashed with pro-Palestinian demonstrators and arrested 65 people, including at least 40 students.
The start of classes on all UCSD campuses will be June 15 at RIMAC Field. More than 10,000 people are expected. The keynote speaker will be former Vice President Al Gore.
Cal State San Marcos opens May 17-18. It said in a statement that it would “implement additional security measures, including requiring guests to pass through concealed weapons detectors and bag inspection stations.” Similar technology was used last year.
The University of San Diego has not announced any significant changes for commencement, which involves seven events from May 17-26.
California Daily Newspapers
