New Grad School Series for Students

Dear students:

The Graduate School is launching a new speaker series this year titled Alumni Empowering Students. Each month, a USC graduate program alumnus will give a lunch hour zoom presentation about how they are using their training to advance social justice in their careers and lives. Speakers, topics, and dates are in the attached flyer, as well as registration.

Check it out!

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Health Requirements for New Students: Fall 2021

Dear USC Students,

As you get ready for the academic year, we would like to share with you some materials that will help you adjust to campus life and meet some health and safety requirements.

Please review the new student materials as you make plans to start the academic year, and share with parents, guardians, and other members of your support network. (Materials translated into Chinese are available online.) We would also like to remind you to learn about health and immunization requirements for new students, including insurance and immunizations.


COVID-19 VACCINATION

COVID-19 vaccination: USC policy requires all students to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or submit a personal declination. Students are required to complete uploading vaccination documentation by July 15. Students with a declination will be required to complete regular surveillance testing. If you are an international student unable to obtain vaccination by this date due to shortages in your location, you may arrange to receive vaccination through USC Student Health upon arrival to the United States.

  • Meeting this COVID-19 safety requirement is mandatory in order to start attending classes on campus this fall semester. Online degree program students are exempt from this requirement.

CONSENT FOR TREATMENT

After reviewing the new student requirements, please follow the instructions to log in to usc.edu/myshr, complete your consent for treatment (if you are under the age of 18, you must have a parent or guardian complete a third-party consent form), and upload your immunizations history, including completion of the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students.


IMMUNIZATIONS

If you do not have complete records of immunizations, or have questions about accepted documents (including lab results), you may schedule a one-on-one question and answer session with immunizations (“Virtuchella”) after reviewing these materials. Please have your current documents uploaded to MySHR before your Virtuchella video visit with the immunizations nurse. The immunizations nurse team can order lab tests, or help schedule immunization appointments at USC Student Health, so that you complete your immunizations upon arrival. It is strongly recommended that you complete as much of your immunizations, documentation uploads (or lab tests) as possible this summer, before arrival for the fall semester. From August 16-27, Student Health will host an immunizations event on campus (“Immuchella”) to help you complete any in-person requirements that are outstanding.

If you are arriving to campus from outside of the U.S., you may be required to have a TB test (tuberculosis test, only blood draw tests are accepted). It is recommended that you get your TB test, followed by COVID-19 vaccine on the same day (if you are not already fully vaccinated). Your TB test and COVID-19 vaccine will be available at any time that you arrive in the U.S. this summer. Contact studenthealth@usc.edu to make arrangements.


ACCESSING SERVICES

Extensive information about student health operations, and mental health support, the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP, provided by Aetna) and the Student Health Fee is available through our online videosPlease review the information in these videos, and feel free to sign up for one-on-one question and answer sessions for insurance or general services after reviewing these materials.

If you are on long-term psychiatric medications, including stimulant medication for ADHDplease plan with your current provider to have a sufficient supply of medication(s) until you can arrange to continue your care with USC Student Health.  It may take 2-4 weeks to secure an appointment so it is important to come with access to at least one month’s supply of medication.

Note the deadline for Student Health insurance waivers and immunizations is Friday, Sept. 10, 2021.


REQUIRED EDUCATIONAL MODULES

As part of the USC COVID-19 Safety Requirements, all USC students must complete:

  • “Health, Hygiene and Safety for Students” — This module will be available beginning on August 1, 2021 at trojanlearn.usc.edu. The module takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and provide an overview of COVID-19 safety.

All students are expected to comply with COVID-19 safety requirements; non-compliance is a violation of USC’s community standards that may result in student conduct disciplinary measures.

As part of required educational modules for students, undergraduates must complete:

  • “CHRSH 01: Trojans Respect Consent” — All new undergraduate students are required to attend a live session activity, “CHRSH 01 Trojans Respect Consent.” These sessions are conducted via Zoom beginning in July. Virtual and in-person sessions will continue throughout the fall. The schedule for booking sessions will be available under the “Workshops” tab through usc.edu/myshr.

 


CONTACT US

As always, our teams are ready to answer your questions and help you get started for a successful and healthy academic year. Please contact covid19@usc.edu with any general questions related to COVID-19 safety and university vaccine policy questions; phone lines are available daily from 8 am until 7 pm PST at 213-740-6291.

Email studenthealth@usc.edu with any questions related to your health records, including immunizations, Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP, provided through Aetna), and campus health services of USC Student Health provided through the Student Health Fee. The Student Health telephone number is 213-740-9355 (WELL).

We look forward to your presence on campus as part of The Trojan Family this fall!

USC Student Health

Did you know? June is the Month of Action for COVID-19 vaccination. Let’s get to Immunity in our Community. 

Call for Nominations: Rossier Faculty Awards

Dear Rossier Community:

 

The Rossier Faculty Awards Committee and the Rossier Research Office are pleased to announce the call for nominations for four annual Rossier Faculty Awards:(1) Teaching, (2) Leadership, (3) Research, and (4) Mentoring. All full-time (tenure track/tenured and RTPC) faculty are eligible. These awards will honor individual faculty members whose contributions to the academic and professional success of Rossier programs, students, and scholarship deserve special recognition.

 

Rossier Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award

The Rossier Teaching Award recognizes a faculty member for outstanding teaching within the Rossier School of Education. Nominations or self-nominations may recognize innovative learning pedagogies, a commitment to anti-racist and culturally relevant teaching practices, and demonstrating a positive, inspiring, and long-lasting effect on students.

 

Rossier Faculty Excellence in Leadership Award

The Rossier Faculty Leadership Award recognizes a faculty member who has provided extraordinary leadership in service to the Rossier School of Education. Nominations or self-nominations recognize a faculty member whose professional service has advanced progress towards Rossier’s mission. .

 

Rossier Faculty Excellence in Research Award

The Rossier Excellence in Research Award recognizes, and honors outstanding research contributions based on the quality, originality, and impact of the nominee’s scholarly work. Nominations or self-nominations may recognize either a recent publication or the receipt of significant grant funding.

 

Rossier Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award

The Rossier Mentoring Award recognizes outstanding mentoring contributions within the Rossier School of Education. Nominations may recognize a faculty member who demonstrates exceptional mentoring to colleagues, students (graduate and undergraduate), postdoctoral scholars, and/or staff.

 

For each award, please refer to the full description of each award’s call for nominations (attached), which include the criteria for each award and the award nomination instructions, in order to submit your nomination for one or more of the awards. Please submit nomination materials as a single PDF to Julie Singh, Research Development Coordinator at njsingh@rossier.usc.edu by Friday June 18th, 2021.  Late or incomplete nominations will not be accepted.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Lawrence O. Picus

Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs

Richard T. Cooper and Mary Catherine Cooper Chair in Public School Administration

Professor of Education Finance and Policy

 

 

 

iStar Update on Protocol Use

iStar Update on Protocol Use

As a part of our ongoing effort to increase efficiency, the quality of study protocol submissions, and to reduce review wait times, on December 4th the iStar platform removed prompts in sections 10, 11 and 12 from the application. Study teams are now be required to submit a fully developed protocol into iStar section 5.2.

For industry or multicenter studies, the sponsor’s protocol will suffice. For all other studies, researchers will be required to submit a protocol based on one of USC’s template protocols, available on the IRB/OPRS website under the “Most Used Documents” banner on the right hand side of the home page, underneath the “Current Wait Time” banner. The appropriate template must be used. For Biomedical IRB submissions, use the Biomedical Investigator Initiated Protocol Template. For Social Behavioral IRB submissions, use the Social Behavioral Protocol Template. For Chart Review applications, please utilize the Chart Review Template Protocol. If you are not sure which IRB you should be submitting to, please review the OPRS/IRB website (biomedical or social behavioral) or contact us at irb@usc.edu. If you are also submitting to the USC Cancer Center, please use the CISO template available through their website (https://uscnorris.com/core/ciso/CIR.aspx). Grant applications and protocols from grant submissions will no longer be accepted in lieu of a fully developed protocol using the appropriate IRB template.

Any study already in queue will be grandfathered in and reviewed as is. A grace period (December 5 – December 31st) will be observed for new submissions. As of January 1, 2021, all applications submitted without a fully developed protocol using the appropriate IRB template will be returned without review with a request to submit a fully developed protocol into section 5.2.

Holiday Crime Prevention Tips

Crime Prevention Tips for the Holiday Season

The holiday season has arrived, and shopping sprees have begun. Thieves use this time to look for opportunities to steal unsecured or unattended property and also to conduct fraudulent online transactions.

Here are some tips to reduce your chances of being victimized.

Package theft prevention

  • If you order items from Amazon, pick up your packages at the Amazon in USC Village.
  • Be at home to accept packages when they arrive. If you are not home when your package is scheduled to arrive, arrange for a roommate or friend to accept the package for you.
  • DPS recommends that if you are planning to conduct an online transaction with a stranger, ask the person to meet you at the DPS station.

If you are leaving home for the holidays

  • Avoid leaving your vehicle packed overnight with your luggage and other personal items.
  • Make sure you close and lock your room and all exterior doors and windows when you leave.
  • Use electronic timers for your interior lights, stereos or televisions while you are away. This gives the illusion that someone is at home.
  • With today’s technology, there are some amazing apps that work with smart devices such as smart plugs, smart bulb, and mini cams available online for very low prices.
  • Keep your bicycle in your room during the holidays while you are away from home.
  • When leaving home for an extended time, have a trusted friend watch your house and have mail delivery suspended.

If you are staying home for the holidays

  • Do not let anyone into your building you do not know. Avoid letting others into your building when you enter as much as possible.
  • Avoid leaving doors propped open, especially exterior gates.
  • Take all your valuables with you when you leave your vehicle. If you must leave your valuables in your vehicle, make sure they are not in plain sight.
  • Park in well-lit and highly trafficked areas. If possible, park in a USC parking lot when you are near campus.
  • Be aware of your surroundings. Put away your phone and earphones when you walk in public.
  • Keep your bicycle in your room during the holidays even if you are only leaving home for a short time.

Free secured parking

  • Free parking is available during the winter break for students, faculty and staff at two USC parking lots. For more information, please visit our website.

Safe Rides is available during the winter break

  • For safe rides, Lyft is available during the winter break. Please visit the Transportation website for instructions and hours of operation.

If you see something, say something. Report suspicious individuals or activity immediately to DPS UPC (213) 740-4321, HSC (323) 442-1000 or LAPD (911). Save these numbers on your phone or send us a text using the LiveSafe mobile safety app.

 

USC Department of Public Safety

Spring COVID-19 Safety Planning

To: USC Community
 
From: Sarah Van Orman, MD, MMM, FACHA
Chief Health Officer for USC Student Health
Division Chief for College Health, Keck School of Medicine of USC
David Wright
Senior Vice President, Administration
Date: November 18, 2020
 
Subject:    Spring COVID-19 Safety Planning

 

 

Dear USC Community,

We hope this finds you healthy, safe, and well. As we near the conclusion of the Fall semester, we want to take this opportunity to share an update regarding COVID-19 safety and operational measures planned for the Spring semester.

Spring 2021 will begin remotely
As you heard from Provost Charles Zukoski last week, we will likely begin the Spring semester remotely. While we hope for a different outcome, cases are again surging across Los Angeles County, and it is unlikely that bringing additional students to campus will be advisable for the near future. We are, however, continuing to prepare our physical spaces for in-person attendance in academic instruction and activities; if and when conditions improve, the University will be ready to safely re-introduce additional in-person activities.

Living on or near our campuses in Spring 2021
Given current public health guidance, USC Housing is not able to accept applications for new residents for the Spring semester at this time. Students who were previously granted a hardship exception this Fall are permitted to continue living in university housing for the Spring.

We know that a number of you are considering leases in private housing near campus. Given the surge in cases that resulted in our need to begin the semester remotely, our advice is to stay in your current environment and delay entering into a binding lease agreement for local housing.

Health requirements
The University is taking steps to maximize the health and safety of our campus communities for the time when we are able to increase campus density. For the Spring 2021 semester, all USC students will be required to update their current addresses in OASIS by January 15, 2021.

Students residing locally on or near campuses and on-site employees will be eligible for access to university facilities and services—including isolation and quarantine facilities and COVID-19 testing—as permitted by the University and approved by local public health officials, provided they meet the requirements for access:

  1. Immunizations, including influenza
  2. Required COVID-19 testing
  3. Completion of symptom check systems (Trojan Check), and
  4. Compliance with student conduct expectations and policies

Additional information on these four requirements follows:

1) Immunizations: All USC students will be required to complete their required immunizations. Measles and mumps (often combined with rubella as a two-dose MMR vaccination), varicella (chicken pox), meningococcal disease (for students under 21), TB tests (for students from specific international countries), and the seasonal influenza (flu). Additional requirements apply to students in the health professions degree programs.

Students are strongly recommended to complete vaccination requirements in advance of the Spring semester. For students who are unable to receive vaccines in their home locations, vaccinations will be available by appointment only in USC Student Health. As previously announced, all on-site faculty and staff are required to complete the seasonal influenza (flu) requirement through the end of the Spring 2021 semester.

2) Surveillance Population Testing: Undergraduate students who reside in USC Housing or come onto our campuses will be required to test twice weekly for COVID-19. Graduate and professional students, faculty, and staff who come onto our campuses will be required to test once weekly. These required tests will be provided by the University at no cost to our current students, faculty, and staff. Additional details on testing operations will be announced in December.

Keck Medicine of USC employees will continue to be supported through their established protocols involving daily screening, ensuring appropriate PPE and distancing is maintained throughout facilities, and rigorous contact tracing and testing based on exposure tracking through Employee Health Services. Practices are routinely evaluated for effectiveness, and adjustments are made where appropriate.

3) Symptom Check (Trojan Check): Just as we currently require for the Fall semester, all students, employees, and visitors this coming Spring will be required to complete a daily symptom check prior to entering facilities on our campuses. In order to access Trojan Check, students and employees must first complete the appropriate “Health, Hygiene and Safety” online module, accessible through Trojan Learn.

4) Expectations and Policies: Shared Accountability: For those who are currently living or working on or near our campuses, as well as for all of you we hope to welcome back soon, you are accountable for prioritizing the health and safety of those around you. All students, faculty, and staff coming onto our campuses must agree to uphold the Trojan Commitment , a pledge to abide by a set of safeguards that maximize the health and safety of the entire USC community.

Student fees
Given the continuing economic impact this pandemic is having on students, the University has extended to the Spring 2021 semester only, its prior reduction of combined central student fees of $100, including health and activities fees. Student health care services and programs will continue to be available in person and remotely, and the University will continue to offer engagement opportunities through virtual live events, performances, speakers, and more.

In-person events and gatherings
The current Los Angeles public health orders include restrictions on events and gatherings. In alignment with these directions, USC has prohibited all university-sponsored on and off-campus events until we receive further public health guidance. Gatherings are defined by the County of Los Angeles and by the University as more than two people within six feet of each other for 15 minutes or longer. The only exceptions that may be granted for the near future are related to instruction, training, and operations that are considered essential. For additional details, please consult the official university guidance.

We will keep you apprised of any further developments. In the meantime, we hope you continue to stay safe and stay well during the Winter break.

COVID-19 Health Advisory—Widespread Transmission in Los Angeles

To: USC Community
 
From: Sarah Van Orman, MD, MMM, FACHA
Chief Health Officer for USC Student Health
Division Chief for College Health, Keck School of Medicine of USC
 
Date: November 16, 2020
 
Subject:    COVID-19 Health Advisory—Widespread Transmission in Los Angeles

 

 

Surge in Los Angeles County
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is advising all of the alarming increases in COVID-19 cases in the region; the risk of exposure is high. Cases among USC students and on-site employees are also increasing.

The new case total for Saturday, November 14, was the highest single-day total for Los Angeles County since the summer; please follow all face covering, hand hygiene, and physical distancing guidelines. Limit contact with others outside of your household for the next 14 days.

If you were around groups of people not wearing face coverings or physical distancing, please self-quarantine for 14 days and consider getting tested. USC students and employees who are working on-site on campus are advised to test through the surveillance population testing program (Pop Testing).

Western States Travel Advisory
On November 13, the State of California announced an advisory regarding travel into and from California, in conjunction with similar advisories from the state governments of Oregon and Washington. USC is directing its employees and students to comply with this advisory, as referenced below:
“1. Persons arriving in California from other states or countries, including returning California residents, should practice self-quarantine  for 14 days after arrival. These persons should limit their interactions to their immediate household. This recommendation does not apply to individuals who cross state or country borders for essential travel.

2. Californians are encouraged to stay home or in their region and avoid non-essential travel to other states or countries. Avoiding travel can reduce the risk of virus transmission and bringing the virus back to California.”

For Students Traveling to a Winter Break Destination

  • Test before traveling out of Los Angeles: USC students are advised to test through the surveillance population testing program (Pop Testing) before traveling to their Winter break destination, especially if out of state or out of the country. Test again upon your arrival at your destination, if possible. Remain at your destination for the duration of Winter break. Additional Spring semester testing information and requirements will be released shortly. Testing will continue to be available throughout the Winter break.

For Faculty and Staff

  • Faculty and staff are strongly advised to follow State of California public health guidance and any local public health guidance that is issued for Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles. If travel is essential, employees who are working on-site on campus should also test before traveling and after return from travel. Additional Spring semester testing information and requirements will be released shortly. Testing will continue to be available throughout the Winter break.

For All USC Community Members

  • Do not travel if you have any symptoms, including: chills or fever of 100 degrees or higher; loss of taste or smell; muscle soreness or headaches or fatigue; cough or runny nose or sore throat or congestion; difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; conjunctivitis (“pinkeye,” inflammation of the eye including redness, itching and tearing) along with feeling feverish; gastrointestinal symptoms (stomach upset, such as abdominal pain or diarrhea or nausea or vomiting).

If you develop any symptoms, please begin self-isolation. Contact your health care provider to arrange for symptomatic testing; contact USC Student Health to arrange for symptomatic testing if you are a USC student or employee working on-site on campus—Tel: 213-740-9355 (WELL), book online at https://usc.edu/myshr (go to the “Messages” section and select the “Request COVID-19 Screening” option). Keck Medicine of USC employees who have symptoms should contact Keck Medicine Employee Health at Tel: 323-442-5219.

For questions contact covid19@usc.edu or call Tel: 213-740-6291, 7 days a week until 9 p.m.

Clarification: Spring 2021 Wellness Days and Grading Options

Dear Rossier Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Provost Zukoski’s memorandum this week announced “Wellness Days” scheduled throughout the Spring 2021 semester, on which no classes or academic requirements will be scheduled. This is to provide students a break in lieu of Spring Recess, which was eliminated for many USC students.

The Provost also announced Spring grading policies for undergraduates.

We have confirmed with the Registrar’s office that graduate programs, which have established our own academic schedules for the Spring, may choose not to cancel classes on Wellness Days.

Rossier is opting to hold classes on those days.  This is because we chose an earlier Spring start date and a schedule that does include a Spring Recess. Further, virtually all of our courses meet just once a week, so class cancellations can have a substantial impact on the timely progression of a course.  Please refer to my memo of October 16th, attached below, for Rossier’s Spring schedule.

Therefore, just to clarify, USC Rossier will not be cancelling classes on Spring semester Wellness Days for our graduate courses.

Our grading options remain as previously announced (for the current semester) as well. Students should address questions about grading options to their academic advisors in their program offices.

Thank you, as always, for your patience and perseverance during this time of change and challenge. We are proud to have all of you in our USC Rossier and Trojan families.

Fight On!

Pedro A. Noguera, Ph.D.
Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean

Thanksgiving Holidays/Winter Break Travel and Safety

To: USC students, faculty and staff
From: Sarah Van Orman, MD, MMM, FACHA
Chief Health Officer for USC Student Health
Division Chief for College Health, Keck School of Medicine of USC
Deona Willes
Director of Environmental Health and Safety
Date: November 10, 2020
 
Subject:    Thanksgiving Holidays/Winter Break Travel and Safety

 

 

With the end of the semester and Thanksgiving holiday approaching, we know that many students, faculty and staff are considering travel and testing arrangements. For those in the vicinity of our USC campuses, we have prepared the following safety guidelines. Travel is only recommended if you plan to remain at your destination for the entire winter break period; traveling back and forth to the campus vicinity during the winter break is not recommended for community public health safety. Students remaining in Los Angeles over the Thanksgiving weekend can sign up for a special Holiday boxed meal.

TESTING BEFORE TRAVEL
Whether you are planning to travel to visit relatives or are departing home for the semester, we strongly recommend that you test prior to your departure. Be sure to have the test close to the date of travel, but with enough time to receive your results BEFORE departure. Campus testing generally requires 3-4 days to receive results. (If traveling by plane, check with your airline about specific pre-boarding testing requirements.) For students living near campus, and employees required to work on-campus, this can be completed through the Pop Testing surveillance testing program.

Faculty and staff who are working remotely may find a local testing center at the follow LA County website: covid19.lacounty.gov/testing

  • REMINDER: Travel, by its nature, increases the risk of transmission among groups of people.
  • If you choose to travel, read the safer domestic travel guide prepared by USC Environmental Health and Safety.
  • For the first 14 days after arrival, stay physically distant from family household members, wear a face covering and be especially mindful of hand and respiratory hygiene, especially if sharing bathrooms, kitchens and meals. This is especially important if someone in the household is at higher risk for severe disease.
  • Test before travel and if possible, after arrival.
  • Delay travel if you are sick or exposed. Anyone feeling ill, recently diagnosed with COVID-19 (within 10 days) or exposed to someone with COVID-19 (within 14 days), should self-isolate and delay travel. Follow guidance from your health care provider regarding when recommended isolation/quarantine periods are complete and travel can be safe.

MEALS
A traditional part of Thanksgiving, sharing meals, is unfortunately one of the riskiest activities for transmission. Consider hosting a virtual event or limiting dining to those in your household—this is the safest plan for everyone. If you decide to join or combine households, please plan with the following safe distancing recommendations in mind.

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds (or use hand sanitizer) before you eat, serve food or handle utensils.
  • Do not use common serving utensils. Have one person (with washed hands, wearing a face covering) serve portions on plates. Place the plates separately where individuals can pick them up themselves. Have utensils separately wrapped in a napkin and spaced apart for pick up. This is especially advisable for all foods that are typically shared or served, such as breads/rolls, cake/pies, pizza, salads, side dishes, chicken wings, etc.
  • Avoid pitchers; individual bottled drinks provide fewer point of contact opportunities.
  • Maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from others, especially while eating, and remain outdoors if possible.
  • When you are not eating or drinking, wear your face covering, especially when speaking in an enclosed space, speaking loudly, or singing and cheering. Talking, especially with force, can spread respiratory droplets at a farther range.
  • Use face coverings and good hand hygiene when cleaning up plates, utensils and glasses after the meal.
  • Reminder: An exposure to COVID-19 is defined as being within 6 ft. of a positive individual for a combined total of 15 minutes or longer within a 24-hour period. Keeping track of who you were in contact with at a family gathering can be crucial in contact tracing if someone later has symptoms or tests positive.

TESTING BEFORE RETURNING TO CAMPUS/WORK
All students, faculty and staff who will be returning to the campuses after traveling or attending gatherings are advised to get a COVID-19 test before re-entering the university community. This can be completed through the Pop Testing surveillance testing program.

We wish you a safe and peaceful holiday break, with renewed energies for the spring semester.

USC’s New Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation

August 14, 2020

Dear Trojan Community,

I write to share USC’s new Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation , which is effective immediately.  The Policy incorporates the required Title IX regulations, as well as a University-wide approach to preventing and responding to discrimination and harassment on the basis of protected characteristics, retaliation, and specific forms of harassment based on sex: sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and related forms of conduct.  The Policy provides resources, supportive measures, and care to all USC community members – students, faculty, and staff – who make a report under the Policy, as well as fair and equitable resolution processes in response to a formal complaint of conduct prohibited under the Policy.

Office of Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX
Reports of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct under the Policy will be addressed by the Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX (EEO-TIX Office) under the leadership of Catherine Spear, our new Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX who will onboard at the end of this month.  The EEO-TIX Office combines the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED) and the Title IX Office to provide a centralized resource for all community members.  Similarly, the Policy coordinates and replaces USC’s existing student, faculty, and staff policies to streamline access to reporting options, resources, and procedural options.

Final Title IX Regulations
The changes to our policies and processes were required by the May 19, 2020 release of the final Title IX regulations by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), as well as the terms of Resolution Agreements between the University and OCR in 2018 and 2020.  The Title IX regulations provide detailed requirements for processes related to reporting, supportive measures, informal resolution, and formal resolution that must be implemented by August 14, 2020.

The regulations, which have the force of law, have been in development since the fall of 2017 when OCR rescinded prior guidance from 2011 and 2014.  Proposed regulations were released for public comment in November 2018, with more than 120,000 individual commenters responding.  The final regulations, spanning 2033 pages, are complex, voluminous, and not without controversy.  Multiple lawsuits have been filed seeking to prevent their implementation, including by attorneys general on behalf of 18 states, and similar lawsuits by civil liberties groups seeking to enforce implementation are expected.  We are tracking each of these developments, as well as concerns that have been raised by community members and advocacy groups across the country.

Importantly, while the regulations include many required elements, colleges and universities can continue to prohibit discrimination and harassment and respond in a way that is consistent with institutional values.  We want to reassure our USC community that the revised Policy and processes maintain core elements of care, equity, and fair process for all.  Please see the FAQ for more information.  While we are obligated to comply with federal law, we will continue to prioritize our efforts to foster a climate free from discrimination and harassment, to seek to reduce barriers to reporting, and to hold individuals accountable for conduct that violates University policy.

Inclusive Process
The Policy was developed through an inclusive process that involved consultation with University administrators and staff in OED and Title IX, the incoming Vice President for EEO-TIX, external subject matter experts, and a newly-created internal committee that includes student, faculty, and staff representation.  Although the timing of the release of the regulations was unfortunate, in light of the pandemic, the compressed time frame, and the window for action occurring when most of our community are on summer break, the University convened a Policy and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) to receive education and information about Title IX and the new regulations, and to provide inputs about support measures, care, reporting, and equity in the development of the Policy.  PCAC includes faculty and staff from schools and departments across the University, as well as the presidents of the Academic Senate and Staff Assembly, and representatives from Graduate and Undergraduate Student Government.  We are grateful to this committee that has been meeting since June to engage in dialogue about Title IX, harassment and discrimination, and the impacts of the new regulations for University stakeholders and constituents.  PCAC is an ongoing committee that will continue to provide a forum for community engagement.

Annual Review
The Policy builds in an annual review, which will permit the University to amend the Policy and resolution processes as necessary or appropriate in light of legal developments and feedback from implementers and University community members. During the course of the fall and spring semesters, we will be providing multiple opportunities for community input and feedback as part of this process.  Those opportunities will include continued engagement by PCAC, virtual meetings (or webinars), and an online survey where University community members can submit comments about the Policy and processes.  We encourage all University community members to review the Policy and processes carefully and to submit any comments, observations, feedback or questions here.

Overview of Policy Provisions
The Policy includes the University’s Notice of Non-discrimination, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, military status, medical condition, pregnancy, disability, political belief or affiliation, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law.  Members of the University community can find information in the Policy about scope and jurisdiction, confidential resources, reporting options, supportive measures, the definitions of prohibited conduct, affirmative consent, incapacitation, employee reporting responsibilities, and how the University protects privacy and confidentiality.

Overview of Resolution Processes
The Policy is accompanied by two sets of resolution processes, one that applies to all forms of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation, and one that applies to all other forms of prohibited discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics.  Both sets of resolution processes follow a parallel process for intake and outreach, initial assessment, the provision of supportive measures, investigations, and informal resolution.  The parties can be accompanied at any meeting or proceeding under both resolution processes by an advisor of their choice. The investigation procedures are robust, including an opportunity to present witnesses and information, review all of the evidence at the end of the investigation, submit written comments, review a written investigation report, and submit written comments in response to the investigation report.

As required by the Title IX regulations, the resolution process for sexual misconduct includes a live hearing (may be virtual) in front of a neutral and impartial decision-maker where a party’s advisor has the right to pose relevant questions of the other party or witnesses.  Any statements that are not subject to this questioning (cross-examination) cannot be considered by the decision-maker.  The University will provide an advisor for any individual who does not have an advisor at the hearing.  The resolution process for other forms of discrimination and harassment is the same as that for sexual misconduct, except that the investigator, in consultation with the delegate of the VP for EEO-TIX, makes the determination of responsibility and no live hearing with cross examination is required.

Additional Resources
Additional information is available on the University’s updated EEO-TIX website, including links to an infographic with information about the new Policy, supportive measures, and options for reporting and filing a formal complaint; the Policy and the resolution processes ; a flow chart to guide the parties through each process; and an FAQ document.

While the Policy and processes are important components for combatting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, our work does not stop here. We must hold ourselves accountable to USC’s mission of fostering a diverse community where all members can be safe and thrive. Through education, awareness, and focused attention on treating every individual with elevated respect, we can prevent discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

I thank you for sharing in the commitment, effort, and partnership to promote a healthy, safe, and enriching environment at USC for all of our community members.

Sincerely,

 

 

Felicia A. Washington
Senior Vice President of Human Resources