Campus update from the Office of the President
Sent 11:27 a.m.
Dear Trojan Family,
We know many of you and your loved ones have been impacted by the fires throughout Los Angeles County and are still facing great uncertainty. Please know that the Trojan Family is with you. With the ongoing threat of wildfires continuing throughout the region, we ask that everyone remain vigilant and heed public safety warnings; your safety is of our highest concern.
If you are able to work today, please know you should do so from the safest place that gives you the greatest flexibility to respond to any personal/family needs. Please remain connected, as you are able, to supervisors and let them know your status.
Campus is largely unimpacted and open; we are not the impacted area. We are monitoring the air quality in real time. A separate communication is forthcoming with more specific information and guidance for campus activities.
New student orientation activities — held mostly indoors — will continue as planned at the University Park Campus. If your travel plans are flexible or you need more time to travel, new students can arrive at a later date this week/weekend and will have ample opportunities to make connections and take part in the Trojan Welcome experience. Please notify USC Housing for any arrival changes.
As we have many faculty, staff, and families of students who have been impacted by these tragic fires, new student convocation will not be held on Friday. An event to celebrate our new students will be held at a later date.
Spring Panhellenic recruitment activities have been paused for today (Wednesday, Jan. 8).
Residence halls are re-opening as scheduled and we anticipate that the university will be fully operational on Monday for the start of the spring term.
The university is posting updates on our emergency page with the latest information.
We encourage you to know about and use resources that are available to you:
- The Campus Support & Intervention staff team is available at 213-740-0411 or uscsupport@usc.edu.
- The WorkWell Center staff is available for emotional support for faculty and staff at 213-821-0800 or email at workwell@usc.edu.
- Counseling and Mental Health staff at Student Health is available for emotional support for students at 213-740-9355 (WELL).
Please stay safe, Trojans. Our thoughts are with all those impacted.
Sincerely,
Carol L. Folt, president, Robert C. Packard President’s Chair
Andrew Guzman, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs
Steven Shapiro, senior vice president for health affairs
Stacy Giwa, interim senior vice president of human resources
David Wright, senior vice president for administration
