Category Archives: Campus Resources

Memo: Naturalization at USC

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MEMORANDUM

To:            USC Faculty, Students, and Staff

From:       Michael W. Quick

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Todd R. Dickey

Senior Vice President for Administration

Thomas S. Sayles

Senior Vice President, University Relations

Subject:    Naturalization at USC

Date:         August 31, 2017

Over the past year, we have been deeply engaged in questions of immigration and citizenship as they relate to the wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff. Uncertainties and concerns have led to heightened awareness of immigration and travel restrictions, and how that can affect our university community.

We have become aware that services for permanent residents who are eligible for naturalized citizenship are underutilized in our community. We hope to increase awareness and utilization of the citizenship naturalization process for our faculty, students, staff and their families, as well as our neighbors.

Starting in September, the Immigration Clinic at the USC Gould School of Law will offer free, on-campus Citizenship Orientation workshops.  These workshops will provide information on the benefits of citizenship and eligibility, and answer questions. Following the workshop, individuals may choose one of three pathways to completing their naturalization application: free Citizenship Clinics to complete and file the naturalization application, with the help of legal experts at the USC Gould Immigration Clinic; free Individual Legal Assistance provided by the USC Gould Immigration Clinic for complex cases; or a free on-campus Naturalization Exam Preparation course organized through the USC Bovard College for employees who need to learn U.S. Civics and History and practice their English terminology for the naturalization interview and exam before completing and submitting their application.

In addition, the USC Credit Union will be providing no-fee, low-interest loans to make the cost of the naturalization application more accessible.

To find out which pathway to citizenship is right for you and your family, the USC Gould Immigration Clinic invites you to a Citizenship Orientation session (http://bit.ly/2wKHSlV). For a full calendar of events, please visit: http://gould.usc.edu/academics/experiential/clinics/immigration/citizenship/

For individuals and their families, the benefits of citizenship include increased economic stability, community engagement, and higher wages over time. As we strengthen the economic and civic engagement of USC staff, faculty, students and their families, as well as our neighbors, the USC community will also benefit from the greater participation, security, and wellbeing of our members.

The university has taken many steps to support our community during these uncertain times. This includes: funding the USC Gould Immigration Clinic so they may offer free legal services to the campus community, supporting the scholarly activities of the USC Center for the Study of Immigrant Integration, establishing a Provost’s Advisory Task Force on Immigration to explore how we can best support our community, and establishing a deans’ steering committee to create a plan for USC to assume national academic leadership on the topic of immigration policy and immigrant integration. The provost has appointed Vanessa Gomez Brake, associate dean of religious life, as a point of contact to coordinate and implement the efforts across campus that support immigrant and international students.

We will continue to explore other efforts to aid our community.

For more information, please contact USC Gould Immigration Clinic (213) 821-9627; immclinic@law.usc.edu; http://gould.usc.edu/academics/experiential/clinics/immigration/citizenship/

 

 

Free Computing Resources for USC Students

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Dear USC Student:

Information Technology Services (ITS) offers a number of free resources that will help you over the course of the semester.

Microsoft Office 2016, Sophos Antivirus, and More: Download free copies of Microsoft Office 2016 and Sophos antivirus for your computing devices. Find these and other applications on the ITS software site.

Access to Premium Software: Get access to Adobe Creative Cloud and other premium software in the USC computing centers.

Loaner Laptops with Software and Accessories: Borrow a loaner laptop and/or accessories in the USC computing centers. Learn more.

VR/AR Technology: Using your own peripherals, you can explore virtual reality/augmented reality capabilities with the new Dell Precision desktops in the ITS-managed computing centers in Waite Phillips Hall and Leavey Library.

USC Gateway for Mobile: Easily find USC resources such as campus maps, the USC directory, the MyUSC portal, the schedule of classes, the tram schedule, and USC news and events. The app is available through the Apple and Google Play app stores. Learn more.

Unlimited Online Storage: Make sure to back up your assignments through your Google Apps at USC account, which comes with unlimited cloud storage.

Easy Password Resets: If you forget your USC NetID account password, you can reset it in just a few minutes. You will need an up-to-date secondary email address associated with your account to use this option.

IT Support: The ITS customer support center offers phone, email, and walk-up support.

@USCITServices: For service alerts, tech tips, and updates on the location of the IT service cart, follow us on Twitter.

 

Best wishes for a successful term,

 Doug

 Doug Shook, PhD

Chief Information Officer

 

Update on Title IX

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MEMORANDUM

To:                  USC Community

From:              Michael W. Quick

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Date:               September 8, 2017

Subject:           Update on Title IX

In light of recent news about suggested revisions to federal guidance under Title IX, I want to reassure our campus community that we will continue to take seriously our responsibility to handle sexual misconduct on our campuses.  It simply cannot be overstated: this university will not tolerate sexual misconduct in any form, whether it is sexual violence, abuse, stalking, intimate partner violence, harassment, or discrimination.

We continually review federal guidelines as well as California state law in determining modifications to our policies.  Over the past several years, we have worked hard to create standards and processes that are fair and protect the rights of all parties, but which have serious consequences for those who are found responsible for violating USC policy. To remind you, when a Title IX investigation determines that sexual misconduct has occurred, we impose sanctions up to and including expulsion. We cooperate fully with the Los Angeles Police Department in any criminal investigation.

To support both reporting parties and respondents throughout the process, we have numerous systems and resources in place, including trained and specialized process advisors and dedicated counselors at the Engemann Student Health Center. Please see titleix.usc.edu for a full description of reporting options, help for those in specific situations, and other resources.

Sexual misconduct has no place in society, and certainly no place at USC.  Our Title IX office will continue to do the difficult work of investigating and adjudicating these issues.  But all of us have a responsibility to ensure we are a safe, healthy, and respectful community.  Please join me in a renewed commitment to come together to prevent these intolerable acts.

 

Cc:       C. L. Max Nikias

Academic Senate

President’s Cabinet

Provost’s Cabinet

 

Wellness Resources at USC

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Dear students,

 Wellness Resources at USC 091217

We hope that you are finding your time at USC to be enriching and exciting, with new pursuits in your academic, professional, and personal lives.  Feelings of stress, worry, or sadness can be common as you experience personal growth and challenges over the next few months. USC offers many resources to support your emotional, physical, and spiritual health during this time.

  • Student Counseling Services is here to help you meet your academic and personal goals. SCS offers group support and skill building, a stress relief clinic, as well as support for students in distress and crisis.  If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, SCS services are available 24-hours per day, call (213) 740-7711.
  • Take care of your physical health through primary care services at Engemann and Eric Cohen Health Services. Make an appointment online using our online portal My Student Health Record (MySHR) or call (213) 740-9355 to speak to a receptionist or reach a 24-hour medical advice line.
  • Mindfulness practices help us to be aware of ourselves in ways that lead to stress reduction and increase happiness. Mindful USC offers a range of classes and workshops to the USC community.
  • USC Recreational Sports can help support a balanced, healthy lifestyle through participation in recreational activities and physical activity.
  • The Office of Religious Life sponsors a variety of opportunities for exploring the spiritual  dimensions of your life and learning.

Take the time to invest in your personal wellness by exploring these resources and do not hesitate to ask for help.

Be safe and be well,

Ainsley Carry, Ed.D., MBA

Vice President for Student Affairs

 

 

 

 

 

Vice Provost for Graduate Programs Student Luncheons

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Dear Students,

 

The USC Graduate School’s Vice Provost for Graduate Programs, Sally Pratt, invites you to attend one of the Fall 2017 Graduate Student Luncheons.

 

The luncheon will serve as an opportunity to create an inclusive community for graduate students from both the University Park Campus and the Health Science Campus. You have the opportunity to talk with the Vice Provost about a variety of graduate and professional student topics that range from Diversity, Inclusion, and Access to International Student experiences to Academic Professional Development; including your own concerns and discussion items. Vice Provost Pratt is interested in hearing your news, updates, and concerns as well as what you think the USC Graduate School does well and what it can improve upon and how.

 

The event is open to all USC Graduate Students, and attendance will be capped at 20 Graduate Students per luncheon. Since space is limited, please remember that your RSVP does not guarantee you a seat at the luncheon. The exact location of each luncheon will be communicated through a confirmation email sent to the first 20 students, per event, who have expressed interest in the particular meeting date.

 

The menu for these events consists of sandwiches, beverages, and dessert.

 

Reserve your space for one of the luncheons by filling out this form.

 

NEW students – Mandatory Online Training Modules

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All new USC students must complete the university’s online education modules (campus safety, sexual harassment prevention, and alcohol abuse prevention).  New graduate students must complete the campus safety and sexual harassment prevention courses (except students in online programs, who only complete the sexual harassment prevention course).  New undergraduate must complete all three courses.  The completion deadline is October 3, 2017.  Students who do not complete the courses will not be allowed to register for Spring 2018 courses.  More information about the course requirement is available at http://studentaffairs.usc.edu/mandatory-online-courses-for-students/.

 

Login to the student portal (https://my.usc.edu) to view your course requirements.  Students can launch the courses from within myUSC under the “Safety & Wellness” widget.  The website also has answers to frequently asked questions, and provides technical support contact information.

Invitation on (De)Institutionalizing Islamaphobia

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Social Justice Summit Fall 2017 – Flyer

Dear Rossier doctoral students,

The Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice is pleased to announce our first official event: Summit on (De)Institutionalizing Islamophobia on College Campuses. The Summit will address the legal issues and policies affecting today’s Muslim college students. It will explore thoughtful and empirically based understanding of the diversity and intersectionality within the Muslim community. This event is open to higher education and student affairs professionals and scholars as well as student leaders, with a special rate for student leaders. We’d like to personally extend our invitation to you to join us for this one day event at USC on Friday, September 8th. We encourage you to register before the early bird deadline this Friday, August 18th. Below is the event details for your reference and attached is the event flyer, please kindly share with your networks.

We look forward to having you join our Summit.

Best,

Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice

USC Rossier School of Education, WPH 1003

(213) 740-1445

Visit our website: socialjustice.usc.edu