The university is accelerating efforts to return to in-person activities. While spring classes will remain online, changes for the remainder of spring include:
- Research activity will ramp up, while adhering to physical distancing, PPE and testing guidelines.
- USC libraries will allow higher density, though at reduced capacity.
- Museums will begin to reopen at reduced capacity.
- Outdoor intramural and club sports will resume for students living on or near campus.
If conditions continue to improve, we expect to take additional steps towards reopening:
- Resuming some in-person courses in the Summer II session (June 30-Aug. 10) following a mostly remote Summer I session (May 19-June 29).
- Reopening residence halls at reduced occupancy.
- Reopening fitness centers at reduced capacity.
- Resuming work in labs for undergraduates.
Other updates:
Academic progress scholarships: Undergraduates who enrolled full-time in fall 2020 and spring 2021 and earned fewer than 30 graded units over the course of the academic year may apply for a summer Academic Progress Scholarship.
Pass/No Pass update: The Pass/No Pass grading option will extend through summer 2021 and the degree unit limit will be increased from 24 to 32 units for current undergraduates for the duration of their USC undergraduate degree.
Fall 2021: We plan to resume a normal range of activities with some measures to reduce density where needed:
- Primarily in-person classes and resumption of most student life activities.
- Typical occupancy for USC Housing, and indoor and outdoor dining options for students.
Working at home or in person: L.A. County is likely to lift the work-from-home health recommendations by the fall. We have learned a great deal about our ability to work remotely over the past year. We will share more about the university’s plans in the coming months.
International students: It is possible that international students may continue to face visa challenges. We will issue further guidance and options for remote learning as soon as possible.
Safety protocols: Physical distancing, face coverings, and health and safety protocols (will continue to be required campuswide. Students, faculty and staff returning to campus this summer and beyond are required to submit their COVID-19 vaccine record (after any dose) in MySHR, or the declination form if they choose not to be vaccinated. Students are expected to follow the Standards for COVID-19 Student Health and Safety, including the requirement to self-quarantine for 10 days after travel outside of California. (Note: declinations forms are no longer accepted, as of revised university policy dated June 29)
Tuition: An increase of 2% has been approved for the 2021-2022 academic year, the lowest year-over-year increment since 1967 and keeping in line with inflation.
Financial aid: USC will continue to commit more than $400 million of its own funding for student financial aid each year, and all sources of aid exceed $650 million annually.
Fees: For the 2021-2022 academic year, mandatory fees for undergraduates will be $499 per semester and $475 per semester for graduate students.
Read details in Tuesday’s memo from Provost Charles Zukoski.