Category Archives: Campus Resources

Update to University Policies and Plans Related to COVID-19

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MEMORANDUM

To: USC Community

From: Charles F. Zukoski, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Date: March 10, 2020

Subject: Update to University Policies and Plans Related to COVID-19

 

We are continuing to monitor closely developments regarding the COVID-19 outbreak with your health and safety at the forefront of our decision-making. Our highest priority is your well-being, and the well-being of anyone who visits our campuses.

While there are no cases of COVID-19 at USC, health authorities announced yesterday the first possible case of community transmission in Los Angeles County. We believe the risk to our students, faculty, and staff remains low, but it is our responsibility to you and our greater community to be proactive in our efforts to encourage social distancing as a means of preventing the spread of illness. At the same time, we are committed to continuing the academic excellence and vital work of the university.

As a result, we are taking the following measures, but please be aware that as we learn more, we may need to make changes to these dates.

  • We made the decision today to continue online classes after Spring Recess, from March 22 through March 29. We encourage students not to return to campus during this time but to take their classes remotely. Accordingly, when departing for Spring Recess, students should take all necessary items essential to continuing their education, such as laptops, textbooks, and study materials.
  • We understand that some students remain on campus during Spring Recess. Residence halls, clinics, libraries, and recreational facilities are following their usual Spring Recess schedules. Please see the link for dining hall hours and locations.
  • All university-sponsored events, on and off campus, between March 11 and March 29 will be canceled or postponed until a later date. Exceptions will be made for academic performances and recitals. Attendance will be limited to the families of participating students. Please contact your dean’s office for information.
  • Intercollegiate athletic events will continue as scheduled on campus but without spectators until March 29. Attendance exceptions will be made for the families of our student-athletes. These events will be streamed so that our Trojan fans can watch online. Athletic events not on our campus will be subject to the attendance policies of the PAC-12, the NCAA, and the host institution.
  • All domestic and international university-related, non-essential travel for students, faculty, and staff is suspended until March 29. 

This is a challenging time for all universities and organizations that bring together a large, highly mobile population, and we appreciate your patience and support as we navigate this uncharted territory. We ask for your patience and collaboration as we work through difficult issues related to the continuity of all of our academic programs.

During Spring Recess, we will assess our classroom and lab experiences in an effort to improve our online instruction. We have already learned that in laboratory and clinical settings, we must follow professional standards and appropriate hygiene, including frequent handwashing and social distancing.

Please check your email regularly during Spring Recess for any updates.

Events
Our events webpage contains additional information.

For university-related event questions, please email studenthealth@usc.edu and your inquiry will be routed to the appropriate department.

Travel
Personal: We strongly advise against personal international travel for students and employees over Spring Recess.

Professional: Only essential professional travel will be allowed for faculty, staff, and graduate students. Essential travel is generally defined as travel that is required to preserve the safety or results of a research subject or research activity that cannot be postponed. All faculty and staff must have written approval from their dean or supervisor for reimbursement of essential travel expenses. Graduate students require written approval from their faculty-sponsor and dean.

Study Abroad: Students who were studying abroad in CDC Level 3 countries have already returned, and the university is closely monitoring the situation in other countries. Any students abroad who wish to return home voluntarily should contact their USC program advisor to discuss their academic continuation options.

Health Notice
Students, faculty, and staff who have been notified by public health authorities or others that they may have had exposure to COVID-19 must follow appropriate self-isolation instructions and notify the university by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 213-740-6291 or by emailing studenthealth@usc.edu.

Please remember to take care of yourself, and use common sense hygiene practices. Please stay home if you are sick, wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, cover your cough with your elbow or a tissue, and avoid touching your nose and mouth.

For students who are ill and feel they need medical care, please call or schedule an appointment online at usc.edu/myshr; an advice nurse is available 24/7 by calling 213-740-9355 (WELL). Faculty and staff should contact their personal healthcare provider.

Further Resources
We encourage you to visit the website we have dedicated to this situation. For questions, please call the COVID-19 hotline at 213-740-6291 or email studenthealth@usc.edu. For information related to Keck Medicine of USC employees, please see this memo.

cc:
Office of the President
Academic Deans
President’s Senior Leadership Team
Provost’s Leadership Team
Academic Senate
Staff Assembly
GSG President
USG President

KCLC March Updates

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Are you beginning to feel overwhelmed with midterms, assignments, papers and balancing all of the things you need to do? If so, please feel free to drop by the USC Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity (KCLC) between Monday-Friday at 1-3pm to speak with an Academic Coach about how you can achieve your academic-related goals and fullest potential. This service is available for undergraduate and graduate students.

Additionally, on Friday, March 6th from 1-3pm, KCLC is partnering with the USG Student Assembly for Accessibility to host an event that promotes accessible study spaces for students with disabilities (featuring Professor Beau)!

 

Community Public Health Update for COVID-19

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MEMORANDUM

To: USC Community

From: Sarah Van Orman, Chief Health Officer, USC Student Health, Keck Medicine of USC

Date: March 4, 2020

Subject: Community Public Health Update for COVID-19

Today, both Los Angeles County and the State of California have declared a state of emergency regarding COVID-19. This declaration assists officials access resources and funds from federal agencies to help with prevention, emergency preparedness, and response for necessary public health measures.

Although this announcement comes on the heels of other news related to COVID-19 in California, there is no Los Angeles community transmission at this time, and no cases at USC. L.A. County Department of Public Health has stated there is no immediate threat to the general public. Los Angeles County residents, students, workers, and visitors are encouraged to engage in their regular activities and practice good public health hygiene, as this is the height of flu season across the County.

In the interest of protecting the safety of our students, faculty and staff, the university is closely monitoring the evolving situation. We have convened an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) that has been meeting daily since January. The EOC is actively monitoring any new developments related to COVID-19, staying in touch with local public health officials and planning for adjusting university operations accordingly. We are undertaking extensive contingency planning in case circumstances change in our community and on our campus. The following is a summary of topics we would like our community to stay informed about:

Student Travel Programs

Students in study abroad programs in CDC travel advisory 3 countries (currently China, Italy, Iran, and South Korea) have been brought out of those country programs and are returning to the United States. Within 4 hours of arrival in the U.S., students are contacted for a phone health screening from USC Student Health.

If a student has symptoms or possible exposure, she/he/they are provided appropriate medical attention by USC Student Health in line with guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Students who do not have symptoms or exposures are educated on symptoms to watch for and provided with detailed instructions on what to do if they get sick. USC Student Health providers are following up with students on day 7 and day 14 of their arrival in the U.S. They are housed individually and provided appropriate guidance to stay home and practice social distancing (limiting contact with others) for 14 days.

All Travelers from Level 3 Countries

As per recent guidance from the CDC, the university is requiring all international travelers from CDC Level 3 countries to self-isolate for 14 days before returning to any campus locations.

For Students Currently on Campus

USC students are strongly advised against international travel during spring break.

Flight cancellations, quarantines and border closures have been implemented by several countries on short notice. The university strongly recommends postponing nonessential personal travel outside of the United States at this time. All members of the community are advised to evaluate domestic travel prudently and consider contingencies.

Students who are arriving on campus from international destinations may be required to complete a health screening process and/or isolation measures as the rapidly evolving information about COVID-19 becomes available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Environmental Safety Measures

In the event of a student with a confirmed COVID-19 case, USC would work with L.A. County Dept of Public Health on treatment, community notifications, and re-housing accommodations required for prevention of community spread. These processes would apply to any USC student, whether residing in USC Housing or a private off-campus residence.

Campus facilities staff are using appropriate cleaning agents and enhancing cleaning protocols, including frequency, in public areas.

Preparedness and Continuity Plans

The EOC has activated business continuity plans and well as an academic continuity planning group, that is working closely with all the schools and programs within the university.

  • The academic continuity planning priorities have been outlined in a message to faculty and staff on March 2. Currently all programs on campus are proceeding as normally planned.
  • A set of guidelines for organizers of events has been published; events may proceed as regularly planned with additional measures for infection prevention and good public health hygiene.

Any changes to the status of academic and campus programs will be communicated via email, on the USC homepage, and the COVID-19 website; please continue to check these sources for current information.

We encourage all members of our community to practice good personal hygiene:

  • Stay at home if you are sick. Faculty should not require notes from medical providers for students who may have absences due to respiratory or other illnesses.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
  • Cover your cough and sneeze with your elbow or sleeve.
  • Avoid touching your nose and mouth.
  • Wearing face masks as a routine practice is not recommended.

In this unusual time of heightened anxiety and concern, we continue to be a community that supports one another, and exemplifies the very best values of caring, compassion, and understanding. We recognize that some members of our community may have families and hometowns under duress, or experienced microaggressions or bias. We encourage Trojans to use our resources (listed in the close of this message), seek support, and/or report bias.

Questions from the Community

To further address any questions from our community, we will schedule a web-based Q and A with campus leaders shortly; a schedule will be announced on USC main social media channels and on our websites.

Contacts and Resources

COVID-19 (https://usc.edu/coronavirus) Questions and Comments Hotline, including questions for the Emergency Operations Center team: 213-740-6291; email studenthealth@usc.edu.

  • Students, faculty and staff encountering difficulties returning to the U.S. from abroad due to travel restrictions should use this hotline to contact the university.
  • USC community, including parents of current students, should use this hotline to ask any questions related to COVID-19, travel restrictions, and any other related matters.

Students (for medical and mental health care): USC Student Health, 213-740-9355 (WELL); studenthealth@usc.edu.

Faculty and Staff (for mental health care): Center for Work and Family Life, 213-821-0800, cwfl@usc.edu.

For all USC community members, to express concern about a Trojan: Campus Support and Intervention (the “Trojans Care for Trojans” program), 213-740-0411, support@usc.edu. This form can also be used to report a bias incident.

Keck Medicine of USC, Employee Health (instructions for health care employees and related personnel of Keck Medicine of USC): (323) 442-8609. For Verdugo Hills Hospital, (818) 952-4796.

Environmental Health and Safety: (public health and hygiene instructions for non-health care employees) (323) 442-2200; see the current health alert.
USC Student Health
University Park Campus • 1031 West 34th St., Los Angeles, CA 90089-4891
Health Sciences Campus • 1510 San Pablo St. Suite 104, Los Angeles, CA 90033
(213) 740-WELL (9355)

Dissertation Skills Academic Support Group

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The Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity is excited to announce the Dissertation Skills Academic Support Group! This group is designed to provide skills, as well as support & discussion, around the common challenges in the dissertation process. At the beginning of each session group members will discuss their progress on their research, writing, general life tasks, & personal goals. Members share experiences, suggestions, insights, & perspectives with each other. Each group meeting will have a general theme (e.g. procrastination; time management, organization) about which we will discuss skills, strategies, and resources. During the end of each group meeting, members will outline & share goals for the upcoming week. Returning group members can have a space to keep themselves accountable by checking in on their goals set in previous group meetings.

This is an open group and students are welcome to attend as many group sessions as they would like. No RSVP needed! Meetings will be held in room 302 of Verna and Peter Dauterive Hall (VPD) and will take place every other Wednesday and Thursday on the following dates:

Thursday, February 6th, 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 12, 10-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, February 20th, 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 26th, 10-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, March 5th, 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11th, 10-11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, March 25th 10-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 2nd, 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 8th, 10-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 16th 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22nd, 10-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 30th, 3-4:30 p.m.

Additional Counseling Hours for Students

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End of Semester, Winter Break Hours: Please note that Counseling and Mental Health Services will be in operation during extended evening and weekend hours during finals and winter recess for urgent walk-in visits. Services may be in the first floor patient care center (PCC1), please see the concierge desk for check-in instructions. Please see the hours of operation at https://studenthealth.usc.edu/hours for details.

KCLC Creativity Workshops

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Are you interested in engaging in creative outlets that will inspire innovation, help you cope with stress, promote rejuvenation and allow you to discover new interests, hobbies and talents?!

Feelin’ Fresh Fridays is a new workshop that will be held every Friday this semester at 11-12pm at the USC Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity (STU 311). Stop by without needing to RSVP and take-away a newly created product for your enjoyment and de-stressing needs (see flyer attached).

California Wildfires and Power Outages

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Dear EDL students and faculty, 

For those who live or work in areas affected by the wildfires and/or power outages throughout California, please know that our thoughts are with you.

Do not hesitate to contact the EdD Program Office if you need assistance. Students, if you need help with your courses, including communicating with your instructors or requesting assignment extensions due to these unforeseen circumstances, please contact your academic advisor. Our contact information is listed below.  

 

Note that USC also provides additional support for faculty and students who are affected by these circumstances. Please contact the offices listed below or let us know if you need help in reaching out to the following: 

·         University Campus Support and Intervention – (213) 740-0411

·         USC Student Counseling Services – (213) 740-7711

·         USC Center for Work and Family Life – (213) 821-0800 

 

 

Students last name A-K

Jordan Brown

brownjor@rossier.usc.edu

(213) 740-3491

 

Students last name L-Z

Kimberly Alvarez

kdalvare@rossier.usc.edu

(213) 740-5607

 

Faculty

Terri Thomas

thereslt@rossier.usc.edu

(213) 821-1516

We hope that all of you, your families, and your communities remain safe during this time.

Sincerely,

The EdD Program Office

KCLC October Drop-In Hours

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Are you feeling overwhelmed with midterms, assignments, papers and balancing all of the things you need to do? If so, please feel free to drop by the USC Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity to speak with an Academic Coach about how you can achieve your academic-related goals and fullest potential. This service is available for undergraduate and graduate students. Please see flyer attached.