Please Note: June USC Culture Journey Events on “Open Communication”

Posted on June 2, 2021June 2, 2021

Dear USC Rosser Faculty, Staff and Students,

I want to bring to your attention the dates and registration information for USC Culture Journey Events taking place next month. I’m told that thousands of Trojans participate in these events monthly, and I hope you see the email announcements about speakers and activities that interest you. These events provide opportunities to further understand the Unifying Values established for USC in the Culture Journey process that we at USC Rossier participated in, and sessions have already covered Integrity, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Well-being and Excellence.

This upcoming month, the focus is on Open Communication, and speakers include our own Dean Willow Bay of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She will help engage the USC community in striving to always listen actively, communicate in a clear, honest, timely and accessible manner, and provide opportunities for safe, respectful dialogue and interaction.

June events exploring Open Communication include:

Events	Event Overview	Date
Lunch & Learn featuring Heather Rim	Heather Rim, an Alumnus and USC Board of Governors member, is a global marketing and communications executive with more than two decades of experience building brands fueled for growth.	Wednesday, June 9, 2021 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Click here to register
Community Panel on “Open Communication”	Moderated by Willow Bay, Dean of the Annenberg School, join us for a discussion, anchored by members of our Trojan community, focused on the value of Open Communication and how to actively listen and communicate in a clear, honest, timely and accessible manner.	Wednesday, June 16, 2021 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Click here to register
Speaker Series featuring Kenneth Cloke	Kenneth Cloke is a world-recognized mediator, dialogue facilitator, conflict resolution systems designer, teacher, public speaker, author, and a pioneer and leader in the field of mediation and conflict resolution. Join us to learn how Open Communication can enable us to create trust, enhance productivity, and build relationships.	Wednesday, June 23, 2021 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM Click here to register
Working Together Workshop	USC’s esteemed Culture Network members explore the values and behaviors that drive the Culture Journey across USC. You’ll hear how you can bring our adopted Unifying Values into practice in your day-to-day experiences at USC. Read more about USC’s Culture Journey.	Wednesday, June 30, 2021 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Click here to register – AM Click here to register- PM

I encourage everyone to attend and to share this information within your network. Thank you all for supporting this work. To learn more about it, please visit the Culture Journey website or contact partnerforculturechange@usc.edu.

Fight On!

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

We Are SC: Celebrating Pride Month!

Posted on June 2, 2021June 2, 2021

We are Spearheading Celebrations

June is Pride Month and there’s a lot going on to honor the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of the LGBTQ+ community. Join President Carol L. Folt along with fellow students, faculty, staff, and community members as they kick-off the month. Plus, connect to the USC Libraries Pride site for live events, trivia, art exhibitions, film screenings, and resource listings!

Pride Month Celebration
Tuesday, June 1 at 12:00 p.m. PDT

We are Steppin’ at the Coliseum

With a mission to promote acceptance, inclusiveness, identity, and support, while bringing people together in a colorful celebration of community, this 3-day LGBTQ+ music festival has it all! Star studded entertainment includes special guest Adam Lambert, singer, songwriter and 2009 American Idol runner-up.

Outloud: Raising Voices
June 4 – 6
Streaming on Twitch TV and live at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

For more, please visit this link.

Call for Nominations: Rossier Faculty Awards

Posted on June 1, 2021June 1, 2021

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 18^th, 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

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KCLC Summer Drop-ins and Summer Calendar

Posted on May 18, 2021May 18, 2021

Attached is a flyer of our Summer Drop-in Hours: Monday-Thursday 12:00PM PDT-2:00 PM PDT starting Monday, May 24th through Thursday, August 5th. We have also attached our Summer semester calendar that students may find helpful.

For students interested in academic coaching over the summer, please refer them to attend a drop-in session for more information.

Please note: Drop-in hours are available for undergraduate or graduate students to meet with an academic coach without needing to make a reservation. These sessions may be held in a group setting, dependent upon staffing availability and demand.

Advisory on Social Gatherings Around USC Commencement

Posted on May 17, 2021May 17, 2021

MEMORANDUM

To:	USC Students
	USC Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 Graduates and Parents

From:	Sarah Van Orman, MD, MMM, FACHA
	Chief Health Officer, USC Student Health
	Division Chief of College Health, Keck School of Medicine of USC

	Winston B. Crisp
	Vice President for Student Affairs

Date:	May 13, 2021

Subject:	Advisory on Social Gatherings Around USC Commencement

This week we are beginning a commencement season like no other. With several ceremonies over the coming days, we are looking forward to celebrating with all of our graduates both virtually and in-person.

For those in the classes of 2020 and 2021 and their families who are joining us at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, we are excited to bring you and your families back to the USC community to celebrate this momentous occasion. It may look different than we expected, but we are extremely proud and honored to be a part of your academic journey and to have the opportunity to honor your accomplishments.

As a reminder, informal gatherings are limited to 100 people if they are held outdoors, and 50% of capacity or 50 people (whichever is less) if they are held indoors. Gatherings should be limited to two hours, and guests should remain masked and six feet apart.

Private events and receptions that are held outdoors are limited to 200 guests, or 400 guests if all guests tested negative for COVID-19 or show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Private events and receptions that are held indoors are limited to 200 guests and all guests must have tested negative for COVID-19 or show proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

If you plan on visiting the University Park or Health Sciences campuses, please review the Trojan Check requirements for current students, alumni and guests for commencement. All visitors are expected to adhere to our community guidelines, which prohibit the possession of alcohol, even celebratory champagne, on campus.

Thank you for doing all you can to ensure the safety of the guests and graduates attending the commencement ceremonies. By following the above guidelines, you help keep our students, new alumni, families, and staff safe. Part of being in the Trojan Family is caring not just for ourselves, but for the health and safety of our entire community.

More information on what to expect on your ceremony day is available here.

Congratulations to the classes of 2020 and 2021. We know you will accomplish great things as you join our worldwide alumni network. Please celebrate safely and of course, Fight On!

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

University Park • Los Angeles, CA 90089-0012 • Tel: 213 740-2111 • uscprovost@usc.edu

Call for Nominations: Rossier Faculty Awards

Posted on May 17, 2021May 17, 2021

Dear Rossier Community:

Rossier Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award

Rossier Faculty Excellence in Leadership Award

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

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

Library Reservations for Study and Research with Archives & Special Collections

Posted on May 17, 2021May 17, 2021

To our USC community:

On behalf of everyone at the USC Libraries, I hope that you are staying well and continuing to take care of yourselves and each other. Library staff and faculty have been working during the pandemic to support your learning, teaching, and research, and we’ve been inspired by what you’ve accomplished throughout the last year.

We also know—and have heard from many of you—that you are eager to return to your campus libraries, just as we’re looking forward to welcoming you back. I am happy to share news that we are beginning a gradual reopening of library spaces starting March 15.

Initial priorities include opening Leavey Library for scheduled study times and providing access by appointment in Doheny Memorial Library to archival and other special research collections. As of March 15:

Leavey Library will open for study from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, by reservation only.
- Reservations will be available for the full 6-hour block of time.
- To ensure equitable access, one reservation per week per visitor will be available. We will review and revise this schedule in light of changing conditions.
- Make your reservation here: libraries.usc.edu/studyreservations.

Research with archives and special collections will be available by appointment at Doheny from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- USC researchers can request materials from Special Collections, ONE Archives, and other locations holding archival and special collections. We will deliver items to Doheny, which will serve as a temporary hub for this research.
- Paging items to Doheny can take up to one week. Please plan your visit as far in advance as possible.
- Find details about requesting materials and scheduling time in the reading room here: libraries.usc.edu/researchreservations.
  As safety and well-being are paramount considerations, capacity will be limited. Physical distancing and face masks will be required, as will adherence to protective guidelines issued by the university and health authorities. For the time being, we will continue to prioritize scanning and shipping circulating collections, and book stacks in Leavey and Doheny will not be accessible at this time. Study and research reservations are available to USC students, faculty, and staff with USC net ID log-ins.
  
  We’re working with campus partners to continue phased reopening throughout the spring. You’ll find current information at libraries.usc.edu/spring2021. Please check the site frequently.
  
  We’re excited to begin reopening our libraries as another hopeful sign that conditions are improving. As we take this important first step, we look forward to welcoming you back, thoughtfully and safely, to the USC Libraries.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Catherine Quinlan
  Dean of the USC Libraries

COVID-19 Vaccine and Campus Planning Update

Posted on May 17, 2021May 17, 2021

MEMORANDUM

March 9, 2021

TO: USC Faculty and University Staff

CC: USC Students

FR: Sarah Van Orman, Chief Health Officer, USC Student Health

Division Chief for College Health, Keck School of Medicine of ISC

Felicia A. Washington, Senior Vice President for Human Resources

Charles F. Zukoski, USC Provost

RE: COVID-19 Update

Current COVID-19 metrics in Los Angeles County have recently trended in a more favorable direction, with daily rates of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths all trending downward. Averaging 9.7 new cases per 100,000 people, LA County is moving closer to a safer tier in the state’s reopening roadmap for permitted activities. We are cautiously optimistic that if this trend continues in the right direction, additional reopenings may be safely instituted in our region.

VACCINES

The COVID-19 vaccines that are available are a crucial part of coming closer to the end of the pandemic, especially as data is developing on the new variants that are continuing to circulate.

We encourage all USC employees to sign up for a vaccine through myturn.ca.gov to book a vaccine appointment as soon as one is available. Appointments are also available through the City of Los Angeles website. New appointments are added regularly as vaccine supplies become available.

On campus, as of this week, USC Student Health will be administering the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine (requires only 1 dose) at the Lyon Center at UPC. As with the mRNA-based vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna), the viral vector-based J&J/Janssen vaccine is highly effective, with an 85% efficacy rate of preventing severe symptoms. Both types of vaccines are extremely – and likely equally – effective. We will continue to offer vaccination to on-site employees in the occupational risk categories and we encourage all USC employees to pursue avenues throughout the County and the public sites to get vaccinated at the earliest availability.

As required in the University’s vaccine policy, please submit your vaccine record (after any dose) in MySHR, or the declination form (if you choose not to be vaccinated).

CAMPUS PLANNING

As a reminder, the following protocols apply to all accessing the campuses—even for those who have completed vaccinations:

All campus activities, including allowing employees to return to campus locations for on-site work, will reopen or ramp-up as permitted by LADPH higher education guidelines and must follow an approved restart plan that is submitted through the University Restart process and approved by Environmental Health and Safety. All other employees who can work from home should continue to work from home.

All events and gatherings (outside of approved, physically distanced programs held in the canopy sections) are prohibited.

All public health precautions—wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distances, and regular COVID-19 testing—are required for any individuals accessing the campuses.

All travel continues to pose increased community risk and should be approached judiciously, particularly with COVID-19 variants in circulation in California.

As we edge closer to ending the pandemic, vaccination combined with continued safety precaution is our best and only path to restoring the in-person connectedness we had just over a year ago. We look forward to moving closer to being a physically connected community, with your continued vigilance and cooperation.

Stay safe, stay well, and stay strong, Trojans. We’re nearly there.

Letter Regarding Increased On-Campus Activities

Posted on March 5, 2021March 5, 2021

Dear Trojan Community,

We are pleased to share that, as expected, Los Angeles County this week released new guidelines that allow us to increase campus activity. Beginning immediately, we are pivoting to offer a number of recreational and academic opportunities for students living near our campuses.

We have been diligently preparing for these activities to resume by making space modifications, developing associated safety protocols in adherence with public health guidance, and ensuring we can accurately complete contact tracing when necessary.

The following activities will open in a staggered sequence over the coming weeks:

Cromwell Field and our outdoor tennis practice courts are now open, using a reservation system. Please refer to bit.ly/uscoutdoorvenues for the latest updates on what spaces are available to reserve.
School-operated outdoor canopies for small, socially-distanced groups are available to support instruction; music and dance practice rooms, studios and maker spaces are also opening for limited use. Please look for additional information from your school or college.
USC Libraries: On March 15, Leavey Library will begin opening for independent study and Doheny Library will open only for conducting research using the library’s archival and special collections. Both libraries will operate at reduced capacity and reservations will be required to access the buildings. Further openings will be phased over the spring and summer, including libraries on the University Park and Health Sciences campuses. Information about how to make a reservation will be published next week. Please contact library.communications@usc.edu with questions.

To access these newly reopened campus resources, students, faculty and staff are required to make advance reservations, in addition to completing their daily Trojan Check and all associated requirements including completing COVID training through Trojan Learn, receiving an influenza vaccine, completing a daily wellness assessment, and complying with COVID testing requirements.

We expect everyone using these facilities to adhere to the posted behavior guidelines. All areas will undergo thorough cleanings throughout the day. You can learn more about the university’s COVID-19 health and safety policies here.

We are grateful that public health conditions continue to improve in Los Angeles County. To ensure that this positive trajectory continues, and that the expanded facilities we are reopening remain available, we urge all of you to remain vigilant, and continue to wear facial coverings, and maintain physical distance. It is because of your diligence in following public health recommendations that we are able to take the important steps we are announcing today.

Because the CDC and California health authorities continue to recommend that you not travel at this time, we ask that only students who are currently living in the communities adjacent to our campuses utilize these facilities.

Current public health guidance remains that if you can work from home, you should continue to do so. We are expecting restrictions will ease as the rates of transmission continue to drop. We hope to expand campus activities even further in the coming weeks and look forward to welcoming everyone back to campus in Fall 2021. Please refer to the links included above for the latest updates.

Stay safe, be well and Fight On!

Charles F. Zukoski
Provost
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

David W. Wright
Senior Vice President for Administration

Winston B. Crisp
Vice President for Student Affairs

BOOK LAUNCH EVENT: A Search for Common Ground

Posted on March 5, 2021March 5, 2021

Join USC Rossier’s Pedro Noguera and the American Enterprise Institute’s Frederick Hess in conversation with The College Board’s Stefanie Sanford as they discuss where 21st-century schooling needs to go and how to foster the kind of public discourse that will get us there.

At a time of bitter national polarization, we need to push past empty posturing in favor of a healthy, constructive competition of ideas. Frederick M. Hess and Pedro A. Noguera, who tend to fall on opposing sides of the ideological aisle, candidly explore their differences on some of the toughest issues in K–12 education in their new book, A Search for Common Ground: Conversations About the Toughest Questions in K–12 Education (Teachers College Press, 2021).

QUESTION & ANSWER

Submit questions to Tracey.Schirra@aei.org or on Twitter with #ASearchForCommonGround