Students in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have begun the spring semester with a new advising model.
Under the new “Cluster Advising Model,” Dornsife advisors and students are divided into three separate “clusters” — humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. Rather than having a single major advisor assigned to each student, students will have access to a team of advisors within their cluster, according to the Dornsife website. The move to restructure the advising department came as part of the layoffs of over 162 Dornsife employees in October, including most of its academic advisors.
Ellen To, a junior studying international relations, said she recently changed her major and could use increased advising support.
“I really hope that this new system will have easier access to students like me who need help, access, and easier accessibility,” To said.
She said she initially felt unsure about the new advising model because finding answers in the midst of large university layoffs has been hard.
“Before winter break started, I didn’t feel as supported as before, because I couldn’t contact my advisor for weeks,” To said. “[The changes were] very unexpected and unprecedented as well. I didn’t really know much about it.”
Sharon Garcia, a junior studying neuroscience, said she transferred to USC in the fall of 2025, and has leaned on the same advisor since she arrived. Her major now places her in the “natural sciences” cluster.
Garcia said while she’s still in contact with her advisor, he warned her that he is much busier this semester and may be harder to reach.
“I haven’t been here since freshman year and I’m still figuring that out, and I really depend on him,” Garcia said. “[My advisor] was really clear when it came to [my] class schedule, but I did still have some doubts when I met with him, and I think I would still meet with him later on.”
Garcia said she’s heard that some Dornsife students lost their assigned advisor, but for now, she’s hopeful her own will remain in reach.
Dornsife Advising declined Annenberg Media’s request for comment, stating they did not currently have availability.