The University of Southern California abruptly called off its planned Tuesday gubernatorial debate less than a day before it was scheduled, following an intensifying backlash over the exclusion of all candidates of color from the stage.

School officials initially stood by the selection process used to determine which contenders qualified for the forum. But as criticism mounted, the university ultimately scrapped the event, citing the growing controversy and an impasse with co-host KABC over whether to broaden participation.