University Policies
Non-Discrimination Policy
The University of Southern California is an equal opportunity employer and educator. Proudly pluralistic and firmly committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding men and women of every race, creed and background, the University of Southern California strives to build a community in which each person respects the rights of other people to be proud of who and what they are, to live, work and learn in peace and dignity, and to have an equal opportunity to realize their full potential as individuals and members of society. To this end, the university places great emphasis on those values and virtues that bind us together as human beings and members of the Trojan Family. The university enthusiastically supports this policy in its entirety, and expects that every person associated with the university will give continuing support to its implementation.
The University of Southern California is firmly committed to complying with all applicable laws and governmental regulations at the federal, state and local levels which prohibit discrimination against, or which mandate that special consideration be given to, students and applicants for admission, or faculty, staff and applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical disability, mental disability, disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era, or any other characteristic which may from time to time be specified in such laws and regulations. This policy also shall apply to the administration of any of the university’s educational programs and activities. Gender includes both the actual sex of an employee or applicant for employment and that person’s gender identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that identity, appearance or behavior is traditionally associated with that person’s sex at birth. An otherwise qualified individual must not be discriminated against or excluded from admission, employment or participation in educational programs and activities solely by reason of his or her disability. This policy applies to all personnel actions such as recruiting, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoff, training, education, tuition assistance and other programs. This good faith effort to comply is made even when such laws and regulations conflict with each other. The University of Southern California seeks compliance with all statutes prohibiting discrimination in education, including Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which respectively prohibit discrimination.
Questions regarding the application of the various rules and regulations concerning equal employment opportunity and the affirmative action plan should be addressed to the Office of Equity and Diversity at (213) 740-5086. The university’s Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equity and Diversity, University Park Campus, Los Angeles, California 90089.
Academic Probation/Mandatory Advisement
An undergraduate or limited status student whose overall GPA falls below 2.0 is on academic probation. Continued enrollment requires clearance from an academic review counselor. When the overall GPA falls below 2.0, the student is required to seek academic advisement prior to course selection each semester. Proof of advisement must be filed with the Academic Review Department before any registration request will be processed. The Academic Review Department will only accept an official Academic Review Advisement Record form with an authorized school signature as proof of advisement. This form may be obtained in Hubbard Hall 113.
Leave of Absence Policy
The university has implemented a program designed to assist students who find it necessary to take a leave of absence from their studies at USC. This new procedure has been designed to ease the transition for students, both at the time they take a leave of absence and upon their eventual return to the university. For more information or to request a leave of absence packet, please contact your academic advisor.