Karen Wang

The journalist, author and science policy expert will address the graduating classes of 2021 and 2020 on May 14 at the Coliseum.

USC is joining 12 institutions in a federal lawsuit challenging the recent changes to the H-1B visa program, which would restrict career opportunities for H-1B visa holders, according to a university-wide email sent on Oct. 19.

USC announced a new wastewater sampling program for Cale and Irani Residential College in USC Village to “prevent transmission of COVID-19” starting Oct. 13.

After learning that USC Keck Medicine is in need of PPE like surgical masks, N95 respirator and protective gowns, the USC Chinese community acted quickly. As of April 27, more than 330 Chinese parents donated more than 150,000 disposable gloves, 100,000 isolation masks, 4,000 N95 respirators, 870 surgical masks, 450 coveralls and other PPEs to Keck Medicine.

USC Student Health is conducting a study to estimate the percent of students that have developed COVID-19 antibodies, Chief Health Officer Sarah Van Orman announced in an email Wednesday to USC senior vice presidents, deans and student government.

USC will not provide tuition refunds for the spring semester and upcoming summer sessions, which will be held online, the university announced via email Tuesday afternoon.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has removed much of the university community from campus, USC’s Department of Public Service has continued working to keep the remaining staff and students safe while on campus. Assistant Chief of DPS David Carlisle told Annenberg Media in a phone interview that the presence of a global pandemic does not minimize the DPS’ services — which are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, USC has extended the application period for Progressive Degree Programs for students graduating this summer and spring. Graduating seniors who are normally required to apply for the programs in their junior year and start in senior year now have until July 1 to complete the application.

USC will be receiving funds from the U.S. Department of Education to provide emergency financial aid grants for students affected by the pandemic, the Dean of Financial Aid Thomas McWhorter announced in an email to academic deans and enrollment council Monday.

The Iovine and Young Academy, in collaboration with the Viterbi School of Engineering and the Keck Medicine of USC, has mobilized the school’s makerspace to produce 3D-printed personal protective equipment for caregivers at Keck Medicine of USC.

Two Marshall students launched an online app to connect high school seniors with current college students, providing hands-on information about colleges for high school applicants who cannot visit campuses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As healthcare workers across the nation face a shortage of personal protective equipment, the USC community has started a grassroots movement to use 3D printing to provide workers with the necessary gear.

As the university enters its second week of online instruction via Zoom, students and professors are still adjusting to the new platform. Some USC professors have innovated ways to make the transition to online classes more positive, stress-free, and entertaining to secure students’ attention and alleviate stress amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A USC Department of Public Safety employee tested positive for COVID-19, according to an email sent to all USC DPS personnel by Chief Health Officer Sarah Van Orman and Chief John Thomas Monday morning.

USC announced that it will postpone in-person commencement activities. The email also announced that students will have the option to take courses either as pass/fail or for a letter grade, according to a community-wide email sent from the Office of the President Friday afternoon.