SCampus Student Guidebook

Getting Started

Principles of Community

The University of Southern California’s Division of Student Affairs bears a central responsibility for the provision to students of services and resources which will assist in their total development – intellectual, social, cultural, physical, emotional and moral. Consistent with this charge, the division has adopted the following statement which informs and guides its policies and actions regarding the USC 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, national 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 rationale 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.