In the summer, our on-premise and near-premise campus population is much smaller than during the fall and spring semesters. However, we are seeing some worrisome trends emerge from this smaller population that our community should take into consideration. Over the last two weeks, the COVID-19 test positivity rate increased from 5% to 9% among students.
Category: Restart
7/15: Important Information for New International Students
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that newly admitted F-1 international students who are currently outside the United States should not enter the country on a student visa, unless they are able to enroll in a full in-person academic program. If you have not already begun your journey to the United States, we recommend that you stay home and take your fall coursework online.
7/15: Update on Your Financial Aid Package (Incoming Students)
USC’s Financial Aid Office shares an update with incoming students regarding financial aid packages and room and board costs.
7/14: Update on Your Financial Aid Package (Continuing Students)
USC’s Financial Aid Office shares an update with continuing students regarding financial aid packages and room and board costs.
7/14: ICE Reverses Directive to Revoke International Student Visas
We were very pleased to learn that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security agreed to rescind its July 6 guidance. This would have, among other things, required our international students to take in-person classes in order to maintain their visa status.
7/13: USC and Coalition of Western Universities Sue the Federal Government
Following last week’s government directive requiring international students to take at least one in-person class to maintain their visa status, USC immediately began reaching out to bring together some of the leading research institutions, liberal arts colleges, and public universities in the western United States to block the directive from being enforced. Today, our powerful coalition of 20 schools filed its own lawsuit against the federal government.
7/9: COVID-19 Health Alert
In the past few days, a cluster of 15 positive cases of COVID-19 among houses located on 28th Street has been identified and is being evaluated. Patients with confirmed positive tests are in self-isolation at home or are in the process of being privately transported to isolation. We have seen a rapid acceleration in community spread in the last three weeks. The current positivity rate for L.A. County is 11%, which is up from 5% about three weeks ago.
7/8: Updates to Fall 2020 Courses
In line with local and federal public health guidance, we have updated the delivery method for many fall courses to include hybrid, in-person and online learning. At your earliest convenience, please access Web Registration and check for changes to any of your fall semester courses.
7/8: University Message Regarding International Students
We are deeply troubled by the updated guidance that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released Monday requiring international students to take at least one in-person class to maintain their visa status. 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.
7/7: Mandatory “Health Hygiene and Safety for Students” Online module and Daily Symptom Check, “Trojan Check”
The university is requiring all USC students who are living on campus or coming to campus to complete the ‘Health, Hygiene and Safety Training’ module in TrojanLearn (requires flash-compatible browser). In addition, students, employees and visitors are required to complete a daily symptom check prior to entering facilities on our campuses.