Dear Colleagues,
As part of USC’s ongoing commitments to fostering a positive environment and ensuring the university is in compliance with federal and state legal requirements, all faculty and staff – including in academic- and healthcare-specific roles – are required to take the online course “Preventing Harassment and Discrimination” when they begin employment and then as part of our routine cycle every two years thereafter.
“Preventing Harassment and Discrimination” training
With recent updates made in partnership with the Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX (EEO-TIX), the university’s central report-and-response office, this training ties directly into our unifying values of integrity; excellence; diversity, equity, and inclusion; well-being; open communication; and accountability. It serves to provide USC faculty and staff with clear expectations that come with being a part of our Trojan community, including:
- Understanding the university’s processes for responding to and investigating reports of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation.
- Knowing how to identify harassment, how to prevent it, and where to make a report and get help and support if needed.
- Learning how to speak up or step in when you see something wrong, a critical component in fighting harassment and discrimination and ensuring a safe and supportive environment.
All employees, except for 2021 new hires or promotions who recently completed the training as part of their onboarding, will receive this course assignment through TrojanLearn next week. Also, the course is automatically assigned to all new faculty and staff as part of their new hire orientation.
Visit eeotix.usc.edu for more about the course content. While you are there, we invite you to take some time to familiarize yourself with their services should you need assistance or to refer a student, faculty, staff, or visitor to the office. If you have questions about using TrojanLearn, our staff at the HR Service Center are available at 213-821-8100 or uschr@usc.edu.
USC’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation
At USC, we are dedicated to creating a respectful university culture where we all have a welcoming and safe place to live, learn, and work. Under our Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation and associated Resolution Processes, we prohibit discrimination and harassment based on protected characteristics, and we also prohibit retaliation for reporting discrimination and harassment. Together, the Policy and Resolution Processes address supportive measures, reporting options, definitions of prohibited conduct, and procedural options for investigating and resolving reports of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
A list of the characteristics protected under federal, state, and local laws – including race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and age – can be found within our Notice of Nondiscrimination, easily accessible from a link at the bottom of the Employee Gateway.
Our success as a community relies on each of us to create an environment in which every person feels valued and respected, and we thank you for doing your part to Fight On against harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
Sincerely,
Felicia A. Washington
Senior Vice President of Human Resources
Charles F. Zukoski
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Steven Shapiro, MD
Senior Vice President for Health Affairs
Catherine Spear
Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX and Title IX Coordinator