It may be good to have a dumping ground for things going on at USC that may not warrant their own thread, but are good to put out there. So when current parents like myself (and many others on here) get an email from the administration, or anyone sees an article about something USC, there is a place to discuss some of this random/unexpected information. For example, the recent changes to financial aid, or other policy updates that can be important but short lived, and often get buried in the class of 20xx Applicant thread. Or just random rumors/thoughts/views/comments that don't fit elsewhere. Not sure if it will be that active, but it could be for things that could affect both current students and/or applicants.
Or maybe I didn't want to feed the fire (like online news is doing) and title this thread about the virus, ha. So, to start it off, I thought I would mention that in relation to the Covid-19/CoronaVirus situation, USC is experimenting (beta-testing I suppose), by having classes go to an online format Wed-Friday of this week. This is the week before spring break which will allow some students to get a jump on travel (home or elsewhere) a few days early, if they so choose and schedule allows. I am fascinated with the process to get this kind of thing in place at such a large school (I understand UW going to all online classes starting Monday.)
I also understand that some students in study abroad were asked to return. Again not sure if all, or just hot spots like Italy. Maybe others have more info to share.
Here's the info on changes to this week:
3/6: Campus-wide Test: Classes Temporarily Move Online Effective March 11-13
MEMORANDUM
To: USC Community
From: Charles F. Zukoski, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Date: March 6, 2020
Subject: Campus-wide Test: Classes Temporarily Move Online Effective March 11-13
As the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation evolves, your safety and wellbeing are our main priority. As a result, we continue to take precautionary measures to ensure that we are prepared for any potential disruptions to teaching and learning at USC.
There are no cases at USC of COVID-19. As you may be aware, California and Los Angeles County have declared states of emergency, though we are mindful that there is no immediate threat to the general public.
Our university must be nimble and flexible in the event that we need to make any further changes to the semester. We have about 7,000 lecture classes this spring. We need to test our technical capabilities to ensure academic continuity in an online environment should there be a disruption.
With this in mind, we will test our online lectures and seminars starting Wednesday, March 11 through Friday, March 13. The online modality will replace in-person classes for those three days. Please work with your instructors if special technical accommodations may be needed.
I emphasize that this is a test of our capabilities. The university is fully functional. Student residential colleges, dining halls, offices, libraries, health centers, and recreation and athletics facilities are open. Campus events are scheduled to take place as planned. Employees are expected to be at work.
Should students’ academic schedules only include lectures and seminars, students need not remain on campus as these will be held online.
All faculty are being required to switch to a Blackboard or Zoom platform (or another school-specific online learning system) so classes and office hours can continue online. Please review the March 2 memo for important guidance on how to do this, along with this resource from the Center for Excellence in Teaching. It is also important to record your classes on Zoom.
During Spring Recess, we will review feedback from faculty, students, and staff to determine how to improve the online experience. Should the situation erode and we need to take stronger measures, we will be able to smoothly and quickly adapt, having tested our resources for three days.
I am proud of how supportive our community has been. We will continue to follow the guidance of our health experts and we will take every step possible to ensure the wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff.
Please continue to check your email including during Spring Recess for updates.
Class Schedule
Monday, March 9 through Tuesday, March 10 – Normal classroom activities
Wednesday, March 11 through Friday, March 13 – Online testing; lecture and seminar classes will be held online
Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20 – Spring Recess
Monday, March 23 – Classes scheduled to resume in person
Resources: USC’s official page on COVID-19 has all the latest messages and status updates. Check it frequently. For questions, please use the COVID-19 hotline: 213-740-6291 or email: studenthealth@usc.edu.
Hygiene practices: Please remember to take care of yourself, and use common sense hygiene practices. Please stay home if you are sick, wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, cover your cough with your elbow or sleeve, and avoid touching your nose and mouth.
Travel recommendations: We strongly advise against international travel for students and employees over spring recess. USC Chief Health Officer Sarah Van Orman provided details in her March 4 memo.
cc:
Office of the President
Academic Deans
President’s Senior Leadership Team
Provost’s Leadership Team
Academic Senate
Staff Assembly
GSG President
USG President