Residential Choices
Parking and Transportation
Student Activities
Student Media Organizations
Trojan Marching Band
Intramural and Recreation
Student Conduct
Ethnic Student Programs
International Students and Scholars
Learning Support Services
Students with Disabilities
Student Athlete Academic Services
Job Opportunities and Career Planning
Travel Service
Student Health and Counseling Services

The Student Affairs Division has as its fundamental purpose the provision of services and resources to students which will assist them in their total development: physical, social, emotional, cultural, moral and intellectual. As such, the division complements and serves the educational, research and service objectives of faculty and students by designing programs which are an extension of the academic experience. Consistent with this charge, the division has adopted the following statement which informs and guides its policies and actions regarding the USC community.

Principles of Community

USC is a multicultural community of people from diverse racial, ethnic, and class backgrounds, national origins, religious and political beliefs, physical abilities and sexual orientations. Our activities, programs, classes, workshops/lectures and everyday interactions are enriched by our acceptance of one another, and we strive to learn from each other in an atmosphere of positive engagement and mutual respect.

We want to make explicit our expectations regarding the behavior of each member of our community. As adults, we are responsible for our behavior and are fully accountable for our actions. We each must take responsibility for our awareness of racism, sexism, ageism, xenophobia, homophobia and other forms of oppression.

Bigotry will not go unchallenged within this community. No one has the right to denigrate another human being on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, nation origin, etc. We will not tolerate verbal or written abuse, threats, harassment, intimidation or violence against person or property. In this context, we do not accept alcohol or substance abuse as an excuse, reason or for such abuse, harassment, intimidation or violence. Ignorance or"it was just a joke" is also not an excuse for such behavior.

All who work, live, study and teach in the USC community are here by choice, and as part of that choice should be committed to these principles which are an integral part of USC's focus, goals and mission.

Non-Discrimination Policy

University of Southern California does not discriminate on the basis of color, race, religion, national origin, gender, age, Vietnam veteran status, disability or sexual orientation. The University of Southern California seeks compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 which respectively prohibit discrimination. Inquiries regarding these issues may be directed to the director of the Affirmative Action Office, Figueroa Building, Room 109, (213) 740-5086. Students desirous of filing a complaint should contact the Office of the Vice President, Student Affairs, Student Union 201, (213) 740-2421.

Academic Support

As the university admits a student body increasingly qualified and motivated academically, Student Affairs is providing increased levels of support for the coordination of honors programs, development of residential hall study space, improvement of tutorial support, linkage of career guidance with academic advising, and involvement of faculty in student residence halls and all campus community activities. Such programs are described in the sections which follow. The thematic nature of the individual programs is captured by the guiding principle of"academic community."

Residential Choices

USC provides attractive residence opportunities which complement its educational objectives. The university believes that the living experiences in residential colleges, residence halls and university apartments offer a desirable and important part of the total educational experience. University housing provides the setting for students, faculty and staff to come together and create an academic residential community. The goal is to combine a high degree of informal contact and a strong desire to explore the world of ideas to develop an intellectually stimulating environment. USC recommends that students consider the advantages of these programs and live on campus in one of these facilities for at least a portion of the time in which they are enrolled. Fraternities and sororities also offer an opportunity for residential experience to student members. Recognizing that the commuter life style is the more practical choice for some students, the university has developed a program of commuter services which includes activities and advocacy services.

USC Housing and Residence Halls

USC's academic residential community reflects a conscious attempt on the part of the university to bring students, faculty and staff together in a setting where friendships and intellectual life can flourish at many levels of contact. USC houses 5,500 students in university-owned single and family student housing facilities. The residence hall style of living is available on a semester payment plan. The rooms are furnished and are designed to accommodate one or two students each. In residence halls, bathrooms are usually communal and dining services are in close proximity. The apartment style of living offers an independent environment. The apartment units are furnished, with most having standard kitchens, bathroom facilities and living areas. Most units are designed to house two or four students per apartment, depending on the number and size of bedrooms. Furnished apartments for students with families are also available.

The goal of the university is to offer all applicants housing in a variety of living alternatives. Freshmen who apply by the freshman housing application deadline are guaranteed to receive university housing during their first year at USC. Freshmen who apply after the deadline are not guaranteed housing, but everything possible is done to try to get them into freshman housing. Once a student is in university housing, he or she is guaranteed housing for four years. Housing assignments are made during the priority period each spring for the following year. Assignments are generally made based on selected priorities within the following categories: (1) freshman, (2) sophomore through senior, (3) graduate. Students only compete for housing within their respective category.

Housing assignments for incoming students for the fall semester are made throughout the summer. Spring semester assignments are made in November and December. New student assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Housing Services Office

The Housing Services Office is responsible for processing the housing applications for students for the academic year and summer sessions. The Housing Services Office and each on-site Customer Service Center may issue housing contracts, assignments, reassignments and releases from contracts.

Applications for student housing for new students are mailed with the admissions acceptance letter. Questions may be directed to the Housing Services Office, Parking Structure C, (213) 740-2546 or (800) 872-4632; FAX: (213) 740-8488.

The Residential and Greek Life Office

Residential and Greek Life supervises the university programs and live-in staff in the housing system. Special interest housing and faculty-student programs, including residential colleges, are coordinated by this office, located in the Student Union Building, Room 200, (213) 740-2080.

Special Interest Housing

USC established its first comprehensive residential college in 1987 and currently offers two such programs on campus. Undergraduates and graduate students as well as faculty members live in Birnkrant Residential College. Being a part of the community of students, scholars and faculty at Birnkrant Residential College is available to freshman through graduate students.

North Residential College is especially attractive to students with an interest in communication arts and sciences, urban and environmental problems, multicultural interaction, international affairs and cinema. Students of all undergraduate class levels are eligible for residency.

Marks and Trojan Deans' Halls provide a rich intellectual environment for incoming freshman honors students. Pacific, Kerckhoff, Hillview, Honors House and Parkside bring together highly motivated students and interested faculty to increase faculty-student interaction.

The university offers special housing programs to stimulate intellectual and cultural development outside of the classroom. The Non-Resident Faculty Fellows program assigns faculty members to most housing units. The faculty members eat meals with the students and become involved with the life of the living unit.

Other programs bring together students with a special common interest. These include Self-Directed House, SChalom Housing, the Limited Visitation Floor, Law House (law students only), Occupational Therapy House (majors only), and the Latino, African-American, Environmental Studies, Transnational and Transcultural, and Cinema Interest floors. Information on these special interest housing programs is available in information booklets which students receive with their acceptance packet. Call Residential Life, (213) 740-2080, for further information.

Fraternities and Sororities

The majority of USC fraternities and sororities have houses on or near 28th Street,"The Row." The cost to members living in one of these houses is comparable to the cost of living in the residence halls. Those members not living in the fraternity or sorority houses pay a fee which provides them with most privileges other than room. Housing in most fraternities and sororities is limited; students who plan to participate in Rush (membership recruitment which occurs after the start of classes) should make alternate arrangements to be assured of having housing. Joining a fraternity or sorority is not sufficient reason to be released from a university housing contract. Further information regarding housing and activities in fraternities or sororities may be obtained from the Greek Life Office, Student Union Building, Room 200, (213) 740-2080.

Family Student Housing

Married students or students with children wishing university housing should apply to the Housing Services Office, Parking Structure C, (213) 740-2546. The family student housing located north of campus has furnished one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments for couples and families with one or two children.

Child Care

Students with families can apply to enroll their children in the Anna Bing Arnold Child Care Center. The program operates in three sites located on the University Park and Health Sciences campuses. There are programs for infants, toddlers, pre-school and after school care. The focus is on personal and social growth, developing motor coordination and positive self-image and providing a good first school experience. Full- and part-time enrollment is available and a monthly fee is charged.

Parking and Transportation

Parking

The university maintains more than 8,192 on-campus parking spaces and some 2,035 off-campus spaces. Specific information on available parking facilities, permit types and requirements, ridesharing and university van pools, and parking rules and regulations is available in the Parking Operations Office, Parking Structure A.

Ridesharing: Commuting and Vacation Travel

A service is maintained for persons offering or needing rides within the continental United States. Located in the Topping Student Center, the ride board uses a map divided into zones for ease of use. Students who would like to participate in a carpool to get to school during the week should call the Los Angeles Commuter Computer at (213) 380-RIDE.

Student Activities

USC offers broad and diverse opportunities for student involvement and leadership development, ranging from formal and highly organized elective offices to very informal sharing of common interests and enthusiasms.

Student Senate

The Senate is the undergraduate campus-wide student government consisting of legislative, programming, judicial and executive branches, whose collective purpose is to provide comprehensive representation which fosters maximum student participation.

The legislative arm is composed of constituency-elected representatives who address the needs and interests of their peers. Opportunities for involvement and leadership can also be found in the five research-action units: student affairs, academic affairs, financial affairs, security and community affairs. Offices are located in the Student Union Building, Room 106.

Major student events and activities at USC are sponsored by the Program Board, consisting of the following events committees: concerts, speakers, coffeehouse, performing arts, special events and discretionary funding.

The Program Board also contains assemblies representing the Asian-Pacific, Black, Latino, international, and gay/lesbian/bisexual communities at USC as well as Trojan Pride, the"spirit" assembly and the academic honors assembly. The Recreation Assembly provides students with opportunities to participate in a variety of recreation and club sport activities.

Graduate and Professional Student Senate

The Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) is recognized as the official voice of the graduate student body. Representatives to the senate are elected by their peers according to academic departments and meet regularly to address the issues and concerns of the graduate student population. In addition, GPSS allocates graduate student programming fee monies to academic-based student organizations as well as to students traveling to present papers at professional conferences, appoints graduate and professional students to university committees, and maintains a joint program account to encourage cross-disciplinary programs.

An executive committee, consisting of a chair, external liaison, internal liaison, elections and recruitment chair, programming chair, finance chair and four at-large representatives, oversees the daily operations of the council and offers graduate students an opportunity to become involved in the university community outside their academic discipline. The GPSS office is located in the Student Union Building, Room 106. Graduate and professional students wishing to become involved should call (213) 740-5649 for more information.

Campus Organizations

Nearly 300 clubs and organizations exist with new ones added each year. Participation affords new experiences, new friendships and the opportunity to pursue an interest to higher levels of understanding and accomplishment. These organizations address a wide range of political, academic, religious, social service and recreational interests.

Honor Societies

Most departments and schools have an academic organization oriented toward a specific discipline. Honor societies have a selective membership process which is usually based on one or more of the following requirements: area of study, grade point average, university involvement, leadership and community service. A comprehensive list of academic honor societies is included in Scampus.

Office of Student Activities

Located in the Topping Student Center, the Office of Student Activities staff advises students and student organizations; university departments, faculty and staff; and off-campus groups using university facilities in planning, implementing and publicizing programs such as concerts, lectures, theme weeks, dances and special events. It also coordinates a number of leadership development programs and maintains a leadership resource center. The office maintains and schedules a variety of indoor and outdoor facilities, provides mail boxes to student organizations and rents equipment such as portable stages, lighting and amplified sound equipment.

The Office of Student Activities also houses the university's information center as part of the services provided at their activities counter located in Topping Student Center, first floor, (213) 740-5693. The Information Center distributes copies of university publications including the student guidebook SCampus and Schedule of Classes as well as general campus information. Other services provided at the center include: a campus lost and found, campus telephones, non-university housing bulletin board, master calendar information and the University Ride Board (including bus pass applications and schedules).

USC Spectrum

USC Spectrum, a Division of Student Affairs program, produces cultural and educational events for the University Park and Health Sciences campuses. The Distinguished Lecture Series and the Performing Arts Series focus on nationally and internationally known attractions presented at Bovard and Annenberg auditoriums, Bing Theater and the GroundZero Coffee House. In addition, USC Spectrum presents a collection of smaller-scale performing arts events and visual art exhibits throughout campus on a daily basis. USC Spectrum also regularly co-produces events with other campus departments and student organizations. Events are generally free for current students with a minimal charge for faculty and staff. Most events are also open to the general public with tickets available through the USC Ticket Office. USC Spectrum is located in Topping Student Center 102. For more information about USC Spectrum events, call (213) 740-2167.

Facilities

Student programs at USC are accommodated by a number of indoor and outdoor facilities including Bovard Auditorium, the Topping Student Center and Patio, Annenberg Lobby and Auditorium, Hahn Plaza, Crocker Plaza, Alumni Park, Founders Park, Associates Park, E.F. Hutton Park, Senior Park, Fagg Park, Norris and Bing theatres.

Immediately adjoining the campus is Exposition Park with its extensive complex of museums, gardens and athletic facilities. Each represents an important educational and recreational adjunct to the campus itself. The Los Angeles Coliseum is home to Trojan football, as is the Sports Arena to basketball. The grounds of Exposition Park are used by students for picnics, games and other informal events.

USC Volunteer Center

The USC Volunteer Center (UVC) provides a variety of student, staff, faculty and alumni volunteer opportunities in the immediate community through an extensive centralized data base of volunteer opportunities. USC family members wishing to volunteer may visit the center in Topping Student Center 101A, (213) 740-9116, to explore community service opportunities by using library binders for information on organizations on and off campus. Examples of UVC activities include coordinating Alternative Spring Break, Volunteer Corps, CAST and Friends and Neighbors Service Day. Student groups who undertake community service projects may also apply for funding from the Student Senate philanthropy fund located at the center.

Student Media Organizations

A number of on-campus media facilities are operated by students, allowing them to develop their journalistic talents and air their opinions while providing a service to the campus community.

Campus Newspaper

The Daily Trojan is the official student campus newspaper. Its coverage includes campus news, editorials, sports, features about campus activities and events, an entertainment section, and letters to the editor. Published Monday through Friday, the paper is distributed free in kiosks located in various parts of the campus and in the Student Publications Office, Student Union Building, Room 404, (213) 740-2707.

USC Yearbook

El Rodeo, USC's yearbook, highlights events of the year. It is usually purchased as part of the Student Activity Card (season ticket) and distributed in the late spring. The El Rodeo office is located in the Student Union Building, Room 413, (213) 740-5639.

Radio Station

KSCRadio is the official campus radio station. At 104.7 FM, KSCR is the student source for music, news, sports and information. Located on the first floor of Marks Hall, the station broadcasts seven days a week. Students may work in sales, engineering, public relations and programming. Call 740-KSCR (740-5727) for music requests and additional information.

The Trojan Marching Band

The Trojan Marching Band, over 250 members strong, is a major student spirit group on the USC campus and travels more than any other band in the nation.

The Trojan Band supports virtually every athletic team on campus, with a special group of bandsmen performing at all women's athletic competitions. The band has also performed for television specials and commercials and with guest artists from all fields of entertainment. The"Spirit of Troy" has also been featured in concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and has been invited to appear in international performance engagements.

Intramural and Recreation

The Intramural-Recreation Department provides a wide variety of activities to all members of the USC community. The multifaceted program affords individuals and teams numerous opportunities for participation and competition regardless of skill level or ability. Through its many activities, the program seeks to educate individuals in the meaningful use of their leisure time. More than 9,500 students participate each year.

Intramurals

Intramural competitions are held each semester in more than 100 sports within five different programs. The All-University Sports Program, Women's Intramural Sports Program, Coed Sports Program, Inter-Fraternity Sports Program and Inter-Sorority Sports Program provide competition at all levels of accomplishment in games ranging from the traditional (basketball, swimming, football, etc.) to the contemporary (over-the-line softball, inner tube water polo, etc.) and to the international (soccer, squash, tennis, etc.).

Recreation Interest Clubs

Students seeking to share their enthusiasm for a recreational interest may do so through membership in organized clubs. Such diverse interests as cycling, golf, frisbee, fencing, Alpine skiing and snowboarding, and a number of martial arts are represented by more than 40 recreation clubs. Staff is available to help organize new clubs when sufficient interest develops.

Club Sport Teams

In addition to intercollegiate sports, such as football and basketball, students compete at the club sport level with teams from other colleges and universities in the following sports: bowling, frisbee, volleyball, hockey (ice), equestrian, lacrosse, polo (horse), rugby football, soccer, softball (women's), skiing, surfing, and water skiing.

Leisure Classes

Non-credit classes are offered for students wishing to learn particular skills that will enhance the quality of their leisure activities. Offered in a pressure-free environment, classes are designed not only to impart skills, but also to provide social interaction and reduce the stress of campus life. Examples of these classes, many of which are offered at several levels of expertise, include aerobics, martial arts, hiking, dancing, swim stroke mechanics, weight training and yoga.

Free Recreation

This program is designed for individuals who wish to remain active and stay in shape, but who have only a limited amount of time in which to participate and who do not desire organized activities. The amount of free recreation offered depends upon the availability of facilities, staff and equipment. The schedule varies according to the sports in season. Lockers and equipment are available for a small fee.

Facilities

Among other legacies of the 1984 Olympic Games, USC acquired a new swimming and diving complex. A new addition to the university's recreation offerings is the impressive General William Lyon University Center, a state-of-the-art recreation and exercise facility.

Student Conduct

The Division of Student Affairs continually reviews student policies and regulations to reflect changes in basic university practice and policy as adopted by the Board of Trustees and to ensure appropriate recommendations as warranted by a changing student environment. Included are regulations pertaining to the student conduct system, administered by the Office for Student Conduct.

The Office for Student Conduct reviews all student conduct and academic integrity matters. A complete description of the student conduct system is printed in SCampus, USC's student guidebook.

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