October 13, 2025
Dear Trojan Family,
Every day across our campuses, Trojans are teaching, learning, and debating complex ideas. These conversations reflect the core values that define our university: free inquiry, civil discourse, and the collective pursuit of truth.
Today, I’m excited to introduce the USC Open Dialogue Project, a university-wide effort that will help us strengthen these essential values. This project will offer a range of programs and events, creating meaningful opportunities for Trojans to listen, engage, and grow — even when we disagree.
One of its first offerings, You Decide, invites students, faculty, and staff to create their own forums for dialogue, from speaker series and workshops to art exhibitions and other creative approaches. I hope you will visit our website to learn how you can get involved and shape how we live our commitment to open discourse at USC.
I want to thank Professor Neeraj Sood, the president’s special advisor on open dialogue, for helping lead this important project. Under his leadership and with your involvement, we can turn principles into practice. The many perspectives and viewpoints across our Trojan Family are a tremendous strength — especially when we approach our differences with openness, engagement, and mutual respect.
Fight On!
Beong-Soo Kim
Interim President