USC

After internal review, USC says sophomores are again guaranteed housing

Information about the two-year housing guarantee program was wiped from the USC Housing website last week after the university said the promise was “under review.”

The front of New North Residential College on Nov. 12, 2022. (Photo by Drake Lee)
The front of New North Residential College on Nov. 12, 2022. (Photo by Drake Lee)

Sophomores are again guaranteed university housing, USC confirmed Wednesday, one week after putting the two-year housing promise under review.

In a statement, Vice President for Auxiliary Services Dan Stimmler said, “As part of our normal annual review process, Interim President Kim and university leadership have determined that USC’s housing guarantee for sophomore students will remain in place, with no changes to the existing program. This decision ensures that sophomores will retain access to university housing, student support resources, and a strong sense of community.”

The university has historically promised sophomores spots in university accommodations under the Sophomore Guarantee. Last week, Annenberg Media reported that the university had placed the program “under review” and could not guarantee that freshmen applying for second-year housing would receive room assignments.

That day, the USC Housing website also wiped any mention of guaranteed housing for sophomores, updating text to say that freshmen in university housing will only have “first priority” for second-year assignments and emptying the “Sophomore Guarantee” webpage. As of Wednesday, the page is still blank.

Photo of the USC housing sophomore guarantee page without text. (Photo by Sophie Sullivan)
Screenshot of the USC housing sophomore guarantee page without text. (Photo by Sophie Sullivan)