Emergency Update

Update regarding campus operations, air quality, resources

January 08, 2025

Sent 4:30 p.m. 

From:
Andrew T. Guzman, USC provost and senior vice president for academic affairs
Steven D. Shapiro, senior vice president for health affairs
David W. Wright, senior vice president of administration
Sarah Van Orman, chief campus health officer and vice president, campus health

Dear Trojan Family,

We continue to monitor the wildfires burning throughout Los Angeles County, and the shifting wind conditions that affect air quality. While our campuses have not had major impacts, we want to share some specific information about health and operations with you. Your safety and wellbeing are our highest priority.

Spring semester: The university will be fully operational on Monday, Jan. 13, for the start of the spring semester. Residence halls are re-opening as scheduled.

New student orientation and moving into university housing: New student orientation activities are continuing this week at the University Park Campus. For new students who are moving into university housing for the semester and need to arrive at a later date, please notify USC Housing.

Resources for impacted community members: Local evacuation, shelter and other resources can be found at https://lacounty.gov/emergency/.  Campus Support & Intervention can also help connect those impacted with emergency resource information.

Events: New student convocation will not be held on Friday.

University departments will implement contingency plans, if needed, for outdoor activities. Informal group activities (such as clubs and recreational groups) also are advised to follow contingency plans regarding outdoor activities.

Spring Panhellenic recruitment activities have been paused for today (Wednesday, Jan. 8).

Air quality: The university is monitoring air quality in the Los Angeles region for both the University Park Campus and Health Sciences Campus. To stay updated please visit the Air Quality Index page on the USC Environmental Health and Safety website or visit the South Coast Air Quality Management District website or download their mobile app:  http://www.aqmd.gov/mobileapp.

Limiting outdoor exposure for employees: Supervisors of employees who work outdoors are advised to provide personal protective equipment (N95 masks) and to monitor conditions throughout the day. Individuals who have sensitive health conditions should take additional precautions to limit their exposure.

If you are a supervisor and need N95 masks for your employees who work outdoors, please email ehs@usc.edu.

Resources for our community:

Labs: There is a the possibility of power outages due to high winds. Lab managers are advised to check your refrigerators and ultra-low freezers for power. Please keep the unit doors closed in case of an outage.

Environmental health information: The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health urges everyone in areas where there is visible smoke or the smell of smoke or unhealthy air quality to avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure and to limit physical exertion (whether indoor or outdoor), such as exercise.

Children, older adults and people who are pregnant or have other air quality sensitive conditions, such as heart disease, asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases, should follow these recommendations and stay indoors as much as possible even in areas where smoke, soot or ash cannot be seen or there is no smell of smoke.

If your condition worsens, contact your health care provider immediately for medical advice. For students, contact USC Student Health 24/7 at 213-740-9355 (WELL) or through secure messaging to the Advice Nurse in MySHR.

Updates: This is a very fluid situation and changes may occur rapidly. The university is posting updates on our emergency page.

Please take care of yourselves and your families during this difficult time, and know that we support you.

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