July 8, 2020
Dear Members of the Trojan Community,
USC’s vibrant international community is vital to our University and has been since our founding in 1880. We are deeply troubled by the updated guidance that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released Monday requiring international students to take at least one in-person class to maintain their visa status. Issued without warning or broad consultation, the policy could negatively impact countless international students, and restrict research and competitiveness not only here but at research universities across the nation. We are very proud of our international students and their families across the world, many of whom have sacrificed so much to enable them to come to America. This policy is especially concerning as it comes in the midst of a global health pandemic when universities need the autonomy and flexibility to adopt nuanced, multi-faceted models of instruction and research while preserving the health, safety and well-being of all our students, faculty, and staff.
To our international student community – please know that we are strongly advocating against this policy and are working closely and collaboratively with higher education colleagues across the nation. USC’s deans and senior leadership are working tirelessly with the faculty to support your academic progress. Given the broad range of courses being offered, both in person and online, we are optimistic we will be able to support our international students to study in person safely if they wish, but it may take a few days. We understand that you have many time-sensitive decisions. We will write soon with more details and options, and appreciate your patience.
Please send any questions and concerns to covid19@usc.edu. Individual schools also will be offering additional support. Rest assured that we will do everything possible to ensure you can continue your path to graduation from anywhere around the world. Fight On.
Sincerely,
Carol L. Folt, President
Charles F. Zukoski, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Amber Miller, Dean, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
William Holder, Dean, Leventhal School of Accounting
Milton S. F. Curry, Dean, School of Architecture
Haven Lin-Kirk, Dean, Roski School of Art & Design
Erica Muhl, Dean, Iovine and Young Academy for Arts, Technology, and the Business of Innovation
Geoffrey Garrett, Dean, Marshall School of Business
Elizabeth M. Daley, Dean, School of Cinematic Arts and Interim Dean, School of Dramatic Arts
Willow Bay, Dean, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
Avishai Sadan, Dean, Ostrow School of Dentistry
Pedro Noguera, Dean, Rossier School of Education
Yannis Yortsos, Dean, Viterbi School of Engineering
Pinchas Cohen, Dean, Davis School of Gerontology
Andrew T. Guzman, Dean, Gould School of Law
Catherine Quinlan, Dean, USC Libraries
Laura Mosqueda, Dean, Keck School of Medicine
Robert A. Cutietta, Dean, Thornton School of Music and Dean, Glorya Kaufman School of Dance
Vassilios Papadopoulos, Dean, School of Pharmacy
Anthony Bailey, Dean, Bovard College
Dana Goldman, Interim Dean, Price School of Public Policy
Sarah Gehlert, Dean, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work