Despite Ongoing Showers, USC Says Don't Expect To Have Umbrellas, Tents At Friday's Graduation Ceremonies

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Thousands of students at USC are gearing up for Friday morning graduation ceremonies. But it's looking like it might be a soggy situation. Despite the expected downpour, the school says they won't allow umbrellas and there won't be tents over the outdoor ceremonies.

A school representative says it's not feasible to put a tent over such a large space.

KCAL9's Jennifer Kastner spoke to some parents and students on campus Thursday night who found the lack of preparation ridiculous.

"Oh, really?!" replied Debra Corbin, mother of one of the soon-to-be graduates, when Kastner told her the situation. "I think they'll probably have to have a change of heart, haha."

There's been some backlash on social media. A Facebook user wrote "There's an awful lot of tuition our students paid. Can we rent some tents..."

And on Twitter, another post suggested pushing the graduation to Saturday: "I'm not sitting in rain for two hours with no umbrella."

The school says it will have tents nearby in case people need to take cover. The best option at this point is to buy a waterproof poncho.

The event may end up being very wet but some participants aren't letting the weather rain on their parade.

Graduating student Acquillahs Muteti said, "It looks like we'll still be here, because this is once in a lifetime."

The procession starts at 8:30 am. and the ceremony begins at 9.