January 18, 2024
Dear fellow Trojans,
Our spring semester is now well underway, and I have never been more appreciative to be part of this institution. At USC, we have an inspiring mission that affords us the opportunity to shape the world’s future through our contributions in every field imaginable. With opportunities come responsibilities, and we also know that merely striving to accomplish our mission is not enough. The journey – and how we get there – is equally important. That’s why our community-defined Unifying Values form the basis for our behaviors and decision-making. These values – Excellence; Integrity; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Well-Being; Open Communication; and Accountability – serve as the foundation upon which together we build the university culture we desire.
Making continual progress on our Culture Journey is our commitment to you. It requires us to keep our mission and values in constant focus, and to regularly solicit feedback from our community on how we are doing at living them out. To this end, early next week you will hear from our survey partner, ECI, a non-profit ethics research organization with expertise in helping universities and other institutions develop and measure the true impact of their values. Please look for an email from USCculturesurvey@qemailserver.com with a link to take the confidential survey.
Your input is critical for us to chart our path forward. I encourage everyone to use their voice and be heard. What we learn from you will help us continue to strengthen and improve our culture so that all Trojans may flourish and feel a sense of belonging at this great university.
For more information about ECI, our Culture Journey, and this survey, please refer to the Culture Survey FAQs.
Thank you in advance for your participation, and Fight On!
Carol L. Folt
President