Students expressed minimal shock after USC President Carol Folt announced Friday morning her plans to retire at the end of the academic year after five unprecedented years in office.
Folt’s university-wide email highlights successes and presidential initiatives and frames her decision as a move “to embrace the freedom that comes with a next big leap.” Not mentioned was her handling of student protests last spring, which overshadowed her accolades among students.
“There was just so much that happened over the past year that I was just surprised that she came back,” said Reese Romero, a master’s student in music performance. “I mean, with all of the tension and the protests and then the shutting down of campus, and then with the police presence and everything, it’s hard to – it would be hard for me – to come back from something like that when you’re in charge of [USC].”
In April, Folt canceled 2024 valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s speech for the commencement ceremony, citing vague safety concerns. Folt faced heavy criticism for calling the police on a pro-Palestinian encampment that students set up, which led to 93 arrests, 51 of which were USC students. Despite this, the USC Board of Trustees extended her contract in July for an unspecified period of time.
“To see that she was rehired over the summer, and it seemed like things were normal was kind of surprising. So this isn’t surprising that she is leaving,” Romero said.
Senior Jori Williams, a public relations and advertising and American popular culture student, recalls that Folt’s reputation has changed throughout her tenure.
“I think coming in as a freshman and having her in that role, it was a lot more high esteem – a lot more hype around her name and the energy that she brought to the school and campus,” Williams said. “Since then, everything socially, politically, and internationally as well, has kind of…dimmed her light, maybe in that way, and why she’s resigning from the role.”
Some students are uncertain that Folt’s retirement will affect their lives at USC.
“I guess I’m like, ‘What does this mean for us?’ Or, like, what I’m more interested about is, ‘What’s gonna happen afterward?’ I guess I’m just unsure of what she’s doing for USC,” said Logan Moua, a freshman economics student.
Folt is the twelfth university president and has served the shortest term of any previous leader in her role, save Wanda M. Austin, who served as interim president following Max Nikias’ term. The Board of Trustees announced they are beginning the search for the university’s thirteenth president.
“I would just say, you know, maybe go for the next president: Do more to represent the student body in their voices instead of trying to shut them down or out of the conversations,” Williams said. “Good for her, like go retire, you know – I hope I’ll retire with the same bank account that she does one day.”
Some students are upset to see Folt go.
Given the 2024 presidential election results, sophomore Vivian Keller, majoring in the history of American popular culture, said, “Seeing a woman retiring was kind of sad for me.”
“It’s nice as a female to see a woman in power,” Keller said.
Freshman English student Lily Pears referred to Folt as a “queen” and a “legend.”
”She always has such an amazing energy. To see her at all the football games, to see her at some of the clubs and societies,” Pears said. “She’s always got such a passion for the USC Trojans. It’s heartbreak, really.”
Curran Rastogi contributed to the reporting of this story.