SCampus Student Guidebook

Student Services

Religious Organizations

Dean of Religious Life: Rabbi Susan Laemmle, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Dean of Religious Life: Reverend Elizabeth
Davenport, Ph.D.
(213) 740-6110
University Religious Center 106
Email: laemmle@usc.edu; ejld@usc.edu
www.usc.edu/religiouslife

A wide variety of religious denominations and organizations, representing nearly all the world’s religious traditions, are present on the USC campus. These religious groups sponsor numerous programs and activities geared both to their own constituents and to the entire campus. These programs include worship of various kinds at varied times, weekend retreats, study of religious texts, community service and social activities. Coordination and leadership for these activities are provided by the religious directors, both clergy and lay persons, assigned to USC by their denominations, and also by USC faculty and staff who serve as religious advisors to many of the student religious groups. The dean and senior associate dean of religious life, as well as the religious directors, are available for general and spiritual counseling.

The Office of Religious Life and several groups are housed at the University Religious Center, while others are located near campus. These include the Hillel Jewish Center, the Chabad Jewish Student Center, Our Savior Catholic Center and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Institute. Also, the Muslim campus community often participates in Friday Jumah prayers and other functions at the Omar Ibn Al Khattab Mosque on Exposition Boulevard and Vermont Avenue.

Most of these locales have lounges and meeting facilities open for general campus use by students, faculty and staff, as well as other recreation and study areas. The meeting rooms are generally available by arrangement. For use of rooms in the University Religious Center, consult the Office of Religious Life Web site, email orl@usc.edu or call (213) 740-6110.

The dean and senior associate dean of religious life serve as the university’s liaisons to the religious organizations. They facilitate particular religious activities and multi-faith learning on campus. For more information, including a multi-faith calendar and directory, which includes a listing of religious holy days and occasions, contact the Office of Religious Life at (213) 740-6110 or sherryc@usc.edu.