USC is no stranger to media attention. The university fills headlines on a consistent basis, but in the past 10 weeks, the school’s headlines have revealed scandal after scandal.
There have been a myriad of cases involving misconduct in the athletic departments, corrupt financial decisions and accusations of sexual abuse.
In September, it was found that longtime USC Song Girls coach Lori Nelson body shamed and harassed multiple members. She, however, resigned in 2020 prior to these allegations.
Just this month, swimming and diving coach Jeremy Kipp was put on administrative leave after an initial accusation made against him in April 2020 sparked an investigation into his abusive treatment of athletes.
Also this month, it was revealed the former dean of USC’s School of Social Work conspired with L.A. Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas in funneling county money—when he served on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors—into the university in return for his son’s admission into graduate school with full tuition and a paid professorship.
But October’s scandals haven’t ended. On Oct. 21, USC officials placed the Sigma Nu fraternity on an interim suspension after reports of drugging and sexual assault at their house surfaced. Students took to the streets, protesting issues related to Greek life and sexual assault, but also against USC officials who they claim aren’t taking enough action.
Jennifer Floto, associate director of the public relations graduate program, said the university is doing a superb job at responding to the media regarding these scandals.
“I wouldn’t have done anything different,” Floto said. “The motive is obviously to try and maintain our good reputation. But, I sincerely believe that the provost and the president of USC are earnestly trying to resolve this problem, to ensure that the perpetrator or perpetrators are apprehended.”
But some students disagree. Nina Ward, a senior accounting major, has a different view.
“I don’t think the university is doing enough, and I don’t think the DPS alerts are even worded correctly,” Ward said. “It was a lot of victim blaming and telling girls to be careful instead of telling guys not to be predators.”
Ward says the university’s actions have affected her personally, and she is struggling to cope with the recent news.
“As a woman I feel invalidated, and I don’t think they’re taking it seriously,” Ward said. “It sucks to be walking around campus and thinking about this all the time, because it’s not what I want to be thinking about while I’m at school and going to class.”
Jada Blunt, a freshman biology major, said aside from experiencing the typical struggles of a college student, she also has to deal with parents calling her after seeing USC in the news. “My parents warn me about being careful,” she said.
For Blunt, it’s tough to see USC in a negative light because of its reputation for being a good school.
Floto believes USC’s controversies get blown out of proportion because of the university’s notoriety, but she wants to stress that the current sexual assault allegations should be taken seriously.
Even so, she believes media coverage can affect future students and donors. Floto said students might think twice before coming to USC, and donors may not want to contribute as long as these controversies continue to make headlines.
But, “starting with President Folt and her predecessor, we finally have people who are open with the media, open with employees and open with students,” Floto said. “We’re going to continue to see crises, but I am very optimistic about our university’s ability to respond.”
Adrika Yousuf, a senior political science major, was not impressed by the university’s handling of recent media coverage and found herself disappointed. “It feels like instead of trying to keep students safe they’re trying to save face, and that goes for all the controversies we’ve had.”