University of Southern California Orientation Programs

2012/13

Student Handbook

Published by the Division of Student Affairs, Orientation Programs and University Publications, 2012

Welcome1 Welcome from the President2 Exploring New Challenges by Vice President Michael Jackson2 Getting Off to a Fast Start by Vice Provost Eugene Bickers

Community Standards3 Academic Integrity at USC3 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Welcome Week4 Before You Arrive on Campus4 Move-In Day and Welcome Week

Academic Advisement5 Advisement and Advisors

Orientation6 Orientation Coordinators and Advisors

Academic Resources8 Resource Guide

Information Sources9 Catalogue, USC Student Affairs Website, myUSC, SCampus, Schedule of Classes

Registration10 Registration Steps

Campus Housing11 Check In11 Furnishings Provided11 Items to Bring to Campus11 Mail and Package Delivery11 Customer Service Centers11 Access System12 Smoke-Free Policy12 Wireless Access12 Residential Housing Protection

Campus Dining13 Dining Options and Meal Plans

Transportation14 Parking Permits14 Campus Cruiser Program14 USC Bus Service

Financial Matters15 Estimated College Costs15 Paying Tuition and Fees16 Financial Aid16 USC Credit Union16 Banking Around Campus

Student Organizations17 Getting Involved

Welcome

01Learn About USC’s Vibrant Community

“With students from all 50 states, USC is home to more

international students than any university in the nation.

This diversity enriches your educational experience and prepares

you to make your way in our globally interconnected world.”

– C. L. Max Nikias, President

Dear USC Student,

Welcome to New Student Orientation! We’re delighted to have you on our campuses, and I hope this orientation gives you a strong sense of USC and its vibrant community. You will soon discover that although USC is a major research university, it has the feel of a small college. You have tremendous opportunities to do research alongside faculty – an invaluable experience if you pursue graduate studies.

We also encourage you to consider USC’s vast spectrum of minors, which now exceeds 150, and perhaps pursue one far removed from your own major. We hope you will make Visions and Voices a regular part of your time at USC, and embrace the exciting social life on our campuses and the spirit of our sporting events. With students from all 50 states, USC is home to more international students than any university in the nation. This diversity enriches your educational experience and prepares you to make your way in our globally interconnected world.

During your time here, you should also venture beyond our campuses. The university stands in the heart of Los Angeles, one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the world, and the de facto capital of the Pacific Rim. You will benefit tremendously from the city’s wealth of world- class museums, performance venues and cultural offerings, as well as its innumerable opportunities for socializing, employment and volunteering.

As you know, USC ranks among the most select universities in the nation, and you should take great pride in your accep-tance. Our students form a very special community, bustling with talent, passion and curiosity. The bonds you form on our campuses are lifelong, and you will be amazed to learn how powerful our alumni network really is – even decades after you graduate. It all starts here!

Fight On!

C. L. Max NikiasPresident

2 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Exploring New Challenges

Dear New Students,

Welcome to the University of Southern California (USC) and the challenges and opportunities for personal development that higher education offers. You have chosen to attend one of the most out-standing and internationally recognized universities in the world. USC students come from all 50 states and from more than 100 for-eign countries. The student body comprises students from different

races, religions, ethnicities, ages and economic backgrounds.

This great “human mix” will give you an opportunity to learn about others and about yourself as you share in the common enterprise of taking advantage of the tremendous educa-tional programs at USC.

USC will challenge you. You will have a chance to study under the guidance of terrific faculty who will take a personal interest in your development. Your work in the classroom, the

laboratories and in the university’s many student organizations and co-curricular activities will help you develop skills and abilities you never dreamed possible. You will also have opportunities to develop leadership abilities, explore career interests and learn about ways to work with others to help improve our society.

While each of you has come to USC with expectations, the university also has expectations of you. I encourage you to embrace the following tenets: • StudentsatUSCareexpectedtobeseriousscholars.• StudentsatUSCareexpectedtoconductthemselveswith

integrity inside and outside the classroom. • StudentsatUSCareexpectedtotakeresponsibilityfortheir

behavior and live by the “Principles of Community.” • StudentsatUSCareexpectedtoleavetheuniversitya

better place than when they arrived.

The USC community is eager to assist you in achieving your goals and realizing your aspirations. As you join us, you will find that the success of each USC student is integral to the mission of the university and is our highest priority.

Sincerely,

Michael L. JacksonVice President for Student Affairs

Getting Off to a Fast Start

Dear USC Student,

The beginning of a new academic year is always an exciting time for those of us on the faculty, as we get the chance to meet incoming students from around the nation and the world. Perhaps you will bear with me if I share a few suggestions for getting off to a fast start.

Number one: Get organized! The week is full of time to study, to write, to exercise, to talk to your professors and to go out with your friends. Yet it takes some practice to get the hang of managing your schedule well, and the best time to start with that is now. Be realistic about the amount of time you can devote to each activity, and don’t overextend yourself at the beginning.

Number two: Get into the habit of reading your emails on a regu-lar basis. Campus offices often use email to share information on new opportunities. It will definitely pay to stay well-informed.

Number three: Be active, not passive, about your education. When something does not make sense in class, ask about it. Chances are five other people would like to ask the same question.

Seek out your professors during their office hours. Let them know who you are, and get to know them as individuals, not just as instructors.

Number four: Spend as much time listening to people who disagree with you as to people who agree. Universities facilitate the free and open exchange of ideas, and it’s crucial to be a tolerant and receptive listener. You may change your mind about some things; you may not. In any case, your point of view will be expanded, and you will be richer for the experience.

Finally, number five: At every opportunity, explore new subjects both inside and outside the classroom. Right now you may have a complete career in mind, or you may really have no idea of what you want to do in life. In either case you are now at a university that offers a stunning variety of courses in humanities, sciences, arts and the pro-fessions. You will never have a greater opportunity to learn about new things than you have now and in the next four years. Your explora-tion should extend beyond the classroom, for USC is one of the most diverse universities in America, and we are located in the heart of the most diverse city in America.

Welcome to our intellectual community. We are excited that you will be joining us as students, as colleagues in our academic endeavor and eventually as alumni who will be the face of USC in the future.

Sincerely,

Eugene BickersVice Provost for Undergraduate Programs

Learning University Community Rights and Standards

Successful students are aware of the expectations of them as

members of the university community. Become familiar with

university standards by reviewing the “University Governance”

section of SCampus, our student guidebook. It is available online

at www.usc.edu/scampus.

Community Standards

03Academic Integrity at USC USC, like all academic communities, stresses honesty and integrity in all academic endeav-ors. All students are expected to be aware of and abide by academic standards and behav-iors. Those who fail to uphold the academic integrity standards not only suffer severe con-sequences to their grades and their student status at the university, but also cheat them-selves and others out of learning, degrade the value of USC degrees and diminish the prestige of a USC education.

What constitutes academic dishonesty at USC is spelled out in the “University Governance” section of the SCampus student guidebook (www.usc.edu/scampus). Academic dishonesty is any act that gains or is intended to gain an unfair academic advantage for a student or that circumvents an instructor’s course standards.

This may include, but is not limited to, plagiarism (using someone else’s work in any academic assignment without properly citing the source and indicating quoted material), cheating (such as using crib notes during an exam, permitting another to copy work or submitting work not completed by the stu-dent), unauthorized collaboration (preparing academic assignments with another person without faculty authorization) or falsifying academic records (including falsified medi-cal excuses or misrepresentation of official records). As outlined in SCampus, the univer-sity recommends a grade of “F” in a course for any found act of academic dishonesty.

Information, including the academic integ-rity review process and academic dishonesty sanction guidelines, can be found in the “University Governance” section of SCampus. Additional information can be found at www.usc.edu/student-affairs/SJACS.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (The Buckley Amendment) The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, sometimes referred to as the Buckley Amendment) is a federal law that protects the privacy of education records for any student at the university. To comply with this law, USC must have written permission from the student in order to release any non-directory information from a student’s “education record.”

Recognizing that many students wish to share this information with their parents and family members, USC has developed an online system that: • Allowsstudentstogranttheirparents

access to education and medical records in one step

• Allowsparentstoviewelementsofthe education records that are available in USC’s central student information system

Students may log in to myUSC (my.usc.edu) and click on OASIS, USC’s Web-based student information system, and use the “Establish Guest Access” feature to grant parents permission to view education and medical records. See the following instructions for log-ging in to OASIS and granting access.

Your authorization for access takes effect immediately and remains in effect until you revoke it (or until it expires, six years after authorization). You may use OASIS to revoke access at any time. Individuals whose “OASIS for Guests” accounts are revoked will be noti-fied that they no longer have access.

Important: OASIS allows you to grant access to all elements of your education records. If you wish to grant access to selected elements of your records (i.e., financial information but not grades), you will be directed to complete subject-specific forms for the appropriate offices.

Once you grant online access, your parents/ family members may log in to “OASIS for Guests” to view such information as grades,

courses and progress to degree. Directions about obtaining access to records that are not available online are provided through “OASIS for Guests.”

If you have questions or feedback regard-ing this process, please contact the Office of Academic Records and Registrar: ferpahelp@usc.edu or (213) 740-6963. For more infor-mation regarding FERPA, visit USC’s FERPA Website: www.usc.edu/ferpa.

Directions to Grant or Revoke Access to OASIS for Guests • LogintomyUSC(my.usc.edu) with your USC user-

name and password. • ClickontheOASIS link under Single Sign-On

Quicklinks.• Onceloggedin,clicktheEstablish Guest Access

link on the OASIS main page. • ReadtheinformationontheAllowingGuestAccess

page. • ClicktheProceed to Grant/Remove Guest Access

button. • ClicktheCreate a New Account button on the

Current Guest Access page. • CompletetheNewAccountform.• ClicktheSubmit button on the New Account form. • ReviewtheinformationontheAuthorizationto

Release Records page. • Selecttheappropriatebuttonsfortherecordsyou

wish to authorize. • ClicktheSubmit this Authorization button. • Selecttheappropriatebuttontoconfirmorcancel

your authorization. • Providethefollowingtoyourdesignatedguest:a)

your USC ID number; b) the Guest Login ID you defined; c) the Guest PIN you defined; and d) the URL to gain access: www.usc.edu/oasisguest.

Note: If your guest forgets the Guest Login ID or Guest PINyou assigned, he or she must contact you. Only studentsmay create, revoke and release Guest Login IDs and Guest PINs.

STUDENT ORIENTATION HANDBOOK 3

New Student Orientation is your introduction to USC. Continue

your transition by talking to your parents about expectations for the

coming year (our students have some suggestions) before you arrive

on campus. The excitement of Move-in Day is followed by Welcome

Week, which will jump-start your involvement in campus activities

and the USC community.

Before You Arrive On Campus The months before move-in can be a hectic time. Students and parents often do not take the time to clearly discuss expectations for the coming year. We asked current students to tell us what they discussed with their parents before coming to USC. These are the topics they suggest: • budget(spendingmoney,job,bill

payment, checking accounts, credit cards) • communication(howoften,viaphone,

texts, mail, email or instant messenger) • healthcoverage(insurancecoverage,

prescription plans) • car/nocar(insurancecoverage

information, parking) • sororityandfraternityrecruitmentand

membership• computer• gradesandacademicexpectations• Move-InDayplans

Move-In DayMove-In Day is the first day students can move into their USC Housing assignment. For the 2012–2013 academic year, Move-In Day will be on Wednesday, August 22. Students, alumni, parents and staff will assist you and welcome you to the Trojan Family.

Here are some important items you should check off your list on Move-In Day: •Checkintouniversityhousing;youwillneed your USCard or a valid photo ID.• MeetyourResidentAdvisor(RA)andlearn the schedule for your mandatory first floor meeting, as well as learn about upcoming events, especially Welcome Week activities designed to acclimate you to USC.•GetaUSCIDattheUSCardOfficeinParking Structure X (PSX) if you have not already done so. You will need this card to gain entry to your residential building and the Lyon Recreation Center, reg-ister your library barcode and use the

computer labs and printers on campus.

The USCard is also used for your meal plan and discretionary account.

• Signupforafallsemestermealplan(ifyou haven’t already as part of your USC Housing contract).

• StopbytheUniversityBookstorefor books and supplies.

• Purchaseaparkingpermit(ifneeded)atTransportation Services in PSX.

• Speakwithafinancialaidand/orfinancialservices representative (if needed).

• Settleyourstudentaccountatthe Cashier’s Office.

• Pickupyourorientationmaterialsifyoudidnot attend a summer orientation session.

• Pickuplinenorderedduringthesummerfrom the URSC Linen Program.

More information about Move-In Day will be sent in early August to everyone living in USC Housing.

Move-In Day will be a highly anticipated experience and a day for creating Trojan memories.

Welcome WeekThe orientation process continues with our annual Welcome Week, which starts on Move-In Day. Welcome Week activities focus on the multitude of academic, social and cul-tural communities you will be a part of while at USC. Each program offers opportunities for you to become involved in campus life and enriches your introduction to the new univer-sity environment.

Annual activities include the New Student Convocation; Welcome Back Carnival, Rally and Concert; Micro-seminars; Comedy Show; and Dive-In Movie. Welcome Week concludes with a Student Involvement Fair on Wednesday, August 29. At the fair, you can learn more about various programs and organizations available for your continued involvement at USC. A calendar of events will be available in late July. You can sign up for Welcome Week activities beginning August 1.

Welcome Week

Move-In Day and Welcome Week

STUDENT ORIENTATION HANDBOOK 5

At the University of Southern California, we are strongly committed

to the belief that your education belongs to you. Academic advisors are

here to assist you in making the most of your educational opportuni-

ties. As you choose from our wide array of majors and minors, take

advantage of the expertise of our academic advisors.

Here at USC, undergraduate advisement is a terrific resource. There are a variety of academ-ic policies, rules and regulations for every major and degree program. Our staff and faculty advisors are here to help guide every student’s academic career. The university-wide network of advisors is available to assist you in under-standing and meeting your academic goals and curricular requirements.

At orientation, you will meet with your aca-demic advisor to discuss course selection and registration. If you cannot attend an orienta-tion session, you must contact the office of Orientation Programs at (213) 740-7767 and review the information regarding your academ-ic program and policies included in your orien-tation packet before contacting an academic advisor. To schedule an advising appointment, refer to the list below and call the number listed with your major.

If you are undeclared or undecided about your major, the USC Dornsife College Advising Office will be your academic home. Their advi-sors will help you select courses for registration as well as help you explore possible majors.

To ensure an excellent academic start, the university has instituted mandatory advisement for all incoming students. In other words, you must receive academic advisement before you can register for classes. Advisement for first-year students serves as an introduction to USC’s academic opportunities. Advisement for transfer students is a critical factor in moving from one academic institution to another.

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences- Dornsife College Advising Office CAS 120 740-2534- American Language Institute JEF 206 740-0090- American Studies PSD 101 740-3800- Anthropology GFS 220A 740-5806 - Archaeology PSD 101 740-3800- Art History VKC 351 740-4552 - Biological Sciences PSD 101 740-3800

- Chemistry SGM 416 740-6716 - Classics GFS 220A 740-5806 - Comparative Literature CAS 120 740-2534 - Computer Science SAL 306 740-4779- Earth Sciences ZHS 117 740-6109 - East Asian Languages and Cultures PSD 101 740-3800- East Asian Area Studies CLH 101 740-2992- Economics KAP 300 740-7525, 740-5403 - English THH 404H 740-3725 - Environmental Studies CAS 120 740-2534 - French PSD 101 740-3800 - Gender Studies THH 422 740-2792- General Studies/Interdisciplinary Major CAS 200 740-2961- Geography KAP 462E 740-8298 - Health and Humanity CAS 120 740-2534- History SOS 153 740-1659 - International Relations VKC 301 740-8630 - Italian CAS 120 740-3800- Judaic Studies HUC 749-3424- Kinesiology PED 109 740-2480 - Linguistics GFS 214A 740-3891 - Mathematics KAP 470B 821-0449 - Neuroscience PSD 101 740-3800 - Philosophy PSD 101 740-3800 - Physics and Astronomy SGM 416 740-6716 - Political Science VKC 214 740-3621 - Psychology SGM 501 740-2203 - Religion GFS 200A 740-5806 - Slavic Languages and Literature THH 255 740-2735 - Sociology KAP 352 740-8851 - Spanish PSD 101 740-3800 - Thematic Option CAS 200 740-2961 - Undecided/Undeclared CAS 120 740-2534

Professional Schools Accounting, Leventhal School of ACC 101 740-4838 Architecture, School of HAR 210 740-2090, 821-0746Business, Marshall School of BRI 104 740-0690 Cinematic Arts, School of - Cinematic Arts SCB 105 740-8358 - Writing for Screen and Television SCA 335 740-3303 Communication and Journalism, Annenberg School for ASC 140 740-0900Dramatic Arts, School of DRC 104 740-1286 Engineering, Viterbi School of RTH 110 740-4530 Fine Arts, Roski School of WAH 116 (213) 821-1290 Gerontology, Davis School of GER 108 740-1729 Independent Health Professions - Occupational Therapy CHP 133 (323) 442-1865 Medicine, Keck School of - Health Promotion and Disease Prevention UVI Suite E210 740-1060 Music, Thornton School of LPB 200 740-4721 Public Policy, Price School of RGL 102 740-4723

Others - AFROTC PED 112 740-2670 - AROTC PED 110 740-4026 - Athletics HER B30 740-3801 - NROTC PED 101 740-2663, 740-1839- Structured Curriculum Program STU 301 740-0776 - Writing Program JEF 150 740-1980

Academic Advisement

05Advisement and Advisors

Orientation

Orientation Coordinators and Advisors

6 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Orientation Coordinators

Jessica Frey, SeniorMajor: TheatreMinor: Cinematic ArtsHometown: Hollister, CAHonors and Activities: National Orientation Directors Association Showcase Award, Alpha Lambda Delta honor society, greek life, Panhellenic Executive Board, Theatre Students AssociationHobbies and Interests: Acting, comedy, dancing, skateboarding, Disneyland, watch-ing movies and TV, laughing, the beach

Neelam Savla, GraduateMajor: Political Science & PsychologyMinor: Environmental StudiesHometown: Northridge, CAHonors and Activities: Trustee Scholar, Dornsife Dean’s List, USC tour guide, Center for Excellence in Teaching Undergraduate Fellow, Order of the Torch, Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society, Dornsife AmbassadorHobbies and Interests: Dancing, anything about USC, LA Lakers, travel, exploring LA

Orientation Advisors

Kevin Barth, SophomoreMajor: Computer Science & Business AdministrationHometown: Chicago, ILHonors and Activities: Presidential Scholar, Spirit Leader, Campus Crusade for Christ, greek lifeHobbies and Interests: Swimming, water polo, soccer (Manchester United and Real Madrid), Tim Tebow, intramural sports, stand-up comedy, snowboarding, Pokémon, Speed Racer, Sonic the Hedgehog

John Canlas, JuniorMajor: KinesiologyMinor: Sports Media StudiesHometown: Glendale, CAHonors and Activities: Student athletic trainer assistant for football and basketball, greek life, Lyon Center official, University Residential Student Community Community Outreach CoordinatorHobbies and Interests: Playing and watch-ing sports, comedy and action movies, new music, passing out while studying

Melina Charis, JuniorMajor: EnglishMinor: Psychology & Organizational Leadership and ManagementHometown: Los Angeles, CAHonors and Activities: Associated Trustee & Presidential Scholars, greek life, Dornsife Ambassador, Thematic Option, Emerging Leader Program, Alpha Lambda Delta honor society

Hobbies and Interests: Writing, exploring LA, theatre, cooking, movies, the beach, adventures

Poly Chuong, SeniorMajor: Business AdministrationHometown: San Diego, CAHonors and Activities: Trojan Marching Band, volunteer income tax assistance asso-ciate at Deloitte, USC Accounting SocietyHobbies and Interests: Stand-up comedy, History and Discovery channels, motorcy-cling along the coast and on racetracks

Adam Feisst, SophomoreMajor: Business Administration & International RelationsMinor: GermanHometown: Eau Claire, WIHonors and Activities: Trustee Scholar, Thematic Option, Dean’s List, USC tour guide, Daily Trojan, building government, Dornsife Student Ambassador, Freshman Advocacy Board, Queer & Ally Student Assembly, German Club, Community Health Involvement Project, Global Health Club, OUTreach Club, Alpha Lambda Delta honor society, Associated Trustee & Presidential Scholars, Explore USC hostHobbies and Interests: Foreign languages, travel, Europe, culture, longboarding, run-ning, biking, swimming, friends, new foods, texting, video games, movies, exploring LA, Wisconsin, cheese curds, singing, dancing, coffee shops, Facebook

Dani Haberman, JuniorMajor: TheatreHometown: Canyon Country, CAHonors and Activities: Alpha Lambda Delta honor society, Merry Men, Residential Education, Slanderous Tongues TheatreHobbies and Interests: Theatre, music, vocal jazz, American Sign Language, spe-cial FX and gore makeup, improv comedy, Disney, fantasy novels

Tim Heidorn, JuniorMajor: TheatreHometown: Las Vegas, NVHonors and Activities: School of Theatre Dean’s List, USC Admissions intern, Troy Camp, Colleges Against Cancer, Theatre Students AssociationHobbies and Interests: Acting, reality shows, Big Brother, student films, reading for pleasure, Yahoo! News bulletins, eye contact in the elevator

Teja Henry, SeniorMajor: Political ScienceHometown: Riverside, CAHonors and Activities: Building govern-ment chair, women’s rugby, Resident Counselor, SCaller, National Association of College and University Residence Halls Recognition Chair 2013

Hobbies and Interests: Soccer, football, cultures and languages, travel, exploring

Cole Jones, JuniorMajor: SociologyHometown: Alvin, ILHonors and Activities: Dornsife Dean’s List, Recreational Sports Membership Services, Queer & Ally Student Assembly Executive Board, Second Chance Prom Event CoordinatorHobbies and Interests: Volleyball, Charmed, food (grilled cheese, pizza, Freebirds), music (Marina & the Diamonds, Britney Spears, Ellie Goulding), working out, laughing, Tumblr, slow lorises

Laura Kasper, SeniorMajor: Cinematic Arts, Critical StudiesMinor: Communication and the Entertainment IndustryHometown: Geneva, SwitzerlandHonors and Activities: Women’s Ultimate Frisbee, Alternative Spring Break, Trojan Vision, Ski & Snowboard Team, building government, Relay for Life, Dance Included, European Student AssociationHobbies and Interests: Travel, mountain biking, cooking, TV, movies, reading

Ujin Kim, JuniorMajor: Business AdministrationMinor: Cinematic Arts & International RelationsHometown: Corona, CAHonors and Activities: Delta Omicron Zeta leadership fraternity, resident advisor, Asia Pacific Arts online magazine, stylist for Marshall/ POSE Magazine, USC Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE), Art History Department, Residential Education, Neon Tommy, Dean’s ListHobbies and Interests: Freelance makeup, films, documentaries, TV, music, gender/sexuality, reading, sleeping, Ayn Rand, museum hopping, globe trotting, food, flea markets, art, modern architecture, culture

Vicky Meng, JuniorMajor: AccountingHometown: Changchun, ChinaHonors and Activities: Marshall Women’s Leadership Board, International Students’ Assembly, Career Advantage Program, Beta Alpha Psi accounting honor society, Leventhal Dean’s List, PwC’s xTREME Games, KMPG’s International Case Competition, USC Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Trojan Investing Society, Emerging Leader ProgramHobbies and Interests: Shopping, music, movies, piano, reading biographies, coffee, spicy food, friends and family

Daniel Mondoza, JuniorMajor: Business AdministrationMinor: East Asian Languages and CulturesHometown: Victorville, CA

Honors and Activities: Trojan Marching Band, Marshall Undergraduate AdvisingHobbies and Interests: Basketball, linguis-tics, investing

Corey Norris, SophomoreMajor: ArchitectureHometown: Gaithersburg, MDHonors and Activities: Trustee Scholar, Triathlon Team, Alpha Rho Chi architecture fraternityHobbies and Interests: Sports, art/sculp-ture, travel, shopping, food, Downtown, YouTube, music, wrestling alligators

Cricket Oles, JuniorMajor: Economics & International RelationsHometown: Salt Lake City, UTHonors and Activities: USC tour guide, Teaching International Relations Program, Dornsife Dean’s List, SCoutfittersHobbies and Interests: Volunteering, run-ning, hiking, reading, USC football

Dylan Purdy, JuniorMajor: PsychologyMinor: Forensics and CriminalityHometown: Crete, ILHonors and Activities: Khoir Practice A Cappella, Troy Camp, Joint Educational ProjectHobbies and Interests: Music, singing, theatre, friends, the Bee Gees, sleeping, Wheel of Fortune

Josh Romanu, SophomoreMajor: Biological SciencesHometown: Fullerton, CAHonors and Activities: Dean’s Scholar, Baccalaureate/M.D. program, greek life, USC InteraxonHobbies and Interests: Soccer, surfing, water polo, adrenaline sports, friends, the outdoors, piano, relaxing, neurological anatomy, Chuck, spontaneous activities

Maheen Sahoo, JuniorMajor: Philosophy, Politics and LawMinor: Communication Law and Media PolicyHometown: Bellevue, WAHonors and Activities: Undergraduate Student Government residential senator, Society 53, Dornsife Student Ambassador and Dean’s List, Daily Trojan sportswriter, USC Leadership Scholarship recipientHobbies and Interests: Animal prints, puns/bad jokes, politics, news, Netflix, USC sports, purple, laughing

Faatima Seedat, SeniorMajor: Neuroscience & Global HealthHometown: Phoenix, AZHonors and Activities: Alternative Spring Break coordinator, Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Southern California Homeless Initiative, Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society, Teaching International Relations Program, Trojan Health Volunteers6 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

STUDENT ORIENTATION HANDBOOK 7

Hobbies and Interests: Reality TV, reading gossip magazines and Harry Potter, scrap-booking, travel, Taekwondo

Aleek Sherikian, JuniorMajor: International RelationsHometown: Glendale, CAHonors and Activities: Multicultural greek life, intern for Hines & Hunt Entertainment and Schonbrun DeSimone Seplow Harris & Hoffman LLPHobbies and Interests: Cycling, hiking, reading, baking, cooking, basketball, travel, the Laugh Factory, late night food truck hopping, new places in LA, watching Suits

Kativa Strickland, JuniorMajor: KinesiologyMinor: BusinessHometown: Laguna Beach, CAHonors and Activities: USC Presidential Scholar, greek life, Pre-Dental Honors Society, USC Bing Scholar, human resources assistant at USC Facilities Management Services, Women and Youth Supporting Each Other

Hobbies and Interests: Running, hiking, the beach, swimming, singing

Choon Siong Tan, JuniorMajor: Mechanical EngineeringHometown: Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaHonors and Activities: Malaysian govern-ment scholarship, Malaysian Students’ Association, mentoring programHobbies and Interests: Travel, foreign lan-guages, yoga, snorkeling, learning

Devra Traiman, JuniorMajor: SociologyMinor: Photography and Social Change & Human RightsHometown: Scotch Plains, NJHonors and Activities: Troy Camp, Joint Educational Project, Community Outreach through Distribution of the Arts, Peer Health Educator, Dornsife Ambassador, Delta Omicron Zeta leadership fraternity, Freshman Engagement Fellow at USC Hillel, Explore USC Host, Work-Study job, Dornsife Dean’s List STUDENT ORIENTATION HANDBOOK 7

Hobbies and Interests: Photography, singing, Harry Potter, cooking, Lord of the Rings, dance, human rights, Mexican food, travel, coffee, education, Almond Honey Bunches of Oats, the beach, shoes, pasta, tomato-basil mozzarella, USC football

Katrin Vasku, SeniorMajor: International Relations (Global Business)Hometown: Wiener Neustadt, AustriaHonors and Activities: Ski & Snowboard Team, Figure Skating Club, Marshall International Exchange Program (Vienna), Dornsife Dean’s List, DEFL (Diplôme d’études en langue française)Hobbies and Interests: Acting/theatre, running, surfing, basketball, volleyball, sing-ing, horseback riding, martial arts, piano, yoga, travel, extreme sports, hiking, draw-ing, film production, hip hop dance

Anisha Veer, JuniorMajor: Business Administration & PsychologyHometown: Hyderabad, India

Honors and Activities: Marshall Dean’s List, CALPIRG, Marshall Women’s Leadership Board, Red Cross, Joint Educational Project, international exchange host, social psychology research assistant, ballroom and Latin dance teamHobbies and Interests: Eating, travel, exploring the world, yoga, hugs, art walks, Calvin and Hobbes, concerts, cooking, heartfelt movies, flash mobs, making pup-pies and kids laugh, learning, loving, living

Steve Yang, SeniorMajor: EconomicsMinor: Music RecordingHometown: Yorba Linda, CAHonors and Activities: Phi Sigma Kappa, volunteer at soup kitchenHobbies and Interests: Playing guitar, drums, bass; recording and producing music; songwriting; DJing; snowboarding

Kasper KimJones Meng

Mondoza Romanu SahooNorris Oles Purdy

Barth CanlasFrey Savla Charis

Henry

Chuong Feisst

Haberman Heidorn

07

Sherikian Tan Traiman

Seedat

Strickland Vasku Veer Yang

8 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Academic Resources

Find Answers to Your Academic Questions

This guide provides resources for a variety of academic issues.

The publications and Websites described on the previous page are

a great place to start learning about all that USC has to offer. We

have an impressive array of student services and programs that offer

everything from tutoring to career advice to registration help.

Take advantage of them!

Academic Integrity- See SCampus

Adding Classes- See Schedule of ClassesDeadlines- See Schedule of ClassesDrop/Add Forms- Registration, REG Lobby, (213) 740-8500

AdvisingMajor Requirements- See departmentsMandatory Restrictions- Dornsife College Advising Office,

CAS 120, (213) 740-2534Undeclared Majors- Dornsife College Advising Office, CAS 120, (213) 740-2534Pre-Professional Services- Dornsife College Advising Office, CAS 120, (213) 740-2534

Careers/Jobs/Internships- Career Center STU 110, (213) 740-9111

Catalogue- www.usc.edu/catalogue

Change of Address/Name- Transcript Verification Window, REG Lobby- my.usc.edu, click OASIS

Change of MajorTo Obtain Form- Degree Progress, JHH 010, (213) 740-7070- Dornsife College Advising Office, CAS 120, (213) 740-2534To Obtain Signatures- New and old departmentTo Return Form- Degree Progress, JHH 010, (213) 740-7070

Completed Course Summary- my.usc.edu, click OASIS

Credit by Examination- See academic department

Degree Progress- See academic department- Degree Progress, JHH 010, (213) 740-7070

Disability Services- Disability Services and Programs, STU 301, (213) 740-0776

Dropping ClassesDeadlines- See Schedule of ClassesDrop/Add Forms- Registration, REG Lobby, (213) 740-8500

Enrollment Verification- Transcript Verification Window, REG Lobby- my.usc.edu, click OASIS

Final Exam Schedule- See Schedule of Classes

Freshman Seminars- Freshman Seminar Program, CAS 200, (213) 740-2961- www.usc.edu/fsem

GradesChange- Academic Review, JHH 113, (213) 740-7741Grade Report- my.usc.edu, click OASISRemoval of Incompletes- Academic Records and Registrar, JHH 106, (213) 740-5586

Honor Societies- See SCampus- See USC Catalogue

Learning Differences- USC Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity, STU 311, (213) 740-7884

Leave of Absence- See academic department- See USC Catalogue

MajorDeclaring- Department officeRequirements- Department advisor- See USC Catalogue

MinorDeclaring- Department office for the corresponding majorRequirements- See USC Catalogue- Department advisor

Pass/No Pass Forms- Registration, REG Lobby, (213) 740-8500

Permit to Register- Registration, REG Lobby, (213) 740-8500- my.usc.edu, click Web Registration

Placement ExamsTesting Dates- Center for Testing and Assessment, STU 301, (213) 740-7166Tests Required for Your Major- See your department/school

Probation- Academic Review, TRO 101, (213) 740-7741

Registration Appointments- my.usc.edu, click Web Registration

Registration Confirmation- Registration, REG Lobby, (213) 740-8500- my.usc.edu, click Web Registration

Restrictions (Holds)Descriptions and Contact Information- See Schedule of Classes- my.usc.edu, click OASIS

SCampus- www.usc.edu/scampus

Schedule of Classes- www.usc.edu/soc

STARs Report- my.usc.edu, click OASIS

Structured Curriculum Program- Center for Academic Support, STU 301, (213) 740-0776

Textbooks- USC Bookstores, 3rd Floor, (213) 740-8398- www.uscbookstore.com

Transcripts- Transcript Verification Window, REG Lobby, (213) 740-7445- www.usc.edu/dept/ARR/ transcripts

Transfer Credit Statement- Degree Progress, JHH 010, (213) 740-7070

Tuition Refund Insurance- www.usc.edu/webregistration

Tutors- Center for Academic Support, STU 301, (213) 740-0776

Web Registration- www.usc.edu/webregistration

Withdrawal from ClassDeadlines- See Schedule of Classes

Withdrawal from USC- Registration, REG Lobby, (213) 740-8500

The following is a list of handbooks and useful Websites that are available to help you get acquainted with what USC has to offer.

CatalogueAt 960 pages, the course Catalogue is your academic roadmap for USC. Organized by school, the Catalogue lists detailed descrip-tions and requirements for every major, minor and program offered at the university as well as course descriptions. It’s the book both current and prospective students refer to for information regarding everything from general education requirements to interdisci-plinary programs. The Catalogue is published by the University Publications office and is updated annually. A copy is distributed to all entering students at their Orientation sessions. Catalogues are also available for purchase at the University Bookstore for $17 each.

USC Student Affairs WebsiteThis Website is your online guide to the many programs and services provided by the Division of Student Affairs. Information on the Website includes student activities, academic support, career services, health services, residential education, international services, student publications and numerous other departments and programs. The site also includes the What’s Happening link to student programs and events, student profiles and videos. To find out more, visit www.usc.edu/student-affairs.

MyUSCMyUSC is the university’s portal designed to give students, faculty and staff personalized access to wide-ranging campus resources in a single location on the Web. Through myUSC, you can customize your own home page based on personal preferences and interests. To access myUSC, click “popular links” on the USC home page or go to my.usc.edu and log in.

SCampusWhile the Catalogue details what USC offers academically, SCampus is the book that offers information about how to make your college experience more fulfilling and well-rounded. Planning Calendars, Student Services, Student Activities, University Governance and Explore L.A. are just a few of the sections in this stu-dent guidebook. The departmental telephone directory and maps section are particularly popular with students. The oldest publication for students at USC, SCampus is distributed during Orientation and is available online at www.usc.edu/scampus. You can also pick up a copy at the Undergraduate Student Government Office, Ronald Tutor Campus Center 224.

Schedule of ClassesPerhaps the most widely used publication on campus is the Schedule of Classes. Published online every semester, it details what classes are offered, what professor is teaching the class, when and where the class will be taught, as well as how to register for your classes once registration begins. It also includes the final examinations schedule, general education courses, distance educa-tion courses, course descriptions for each class, required textbook lists, and course syllabi and faculty bios for many classes. The Schedule of Classes is available online at www.usc.edu/soc.

Information Sources

Discover What USC Has to Offer 09

Before you can register, you must complete the following steps.

Obtain all registration materials •PickupregistrationmaterialsatOrientation Programs (www.usc.edu/ orientation), Student Union B-7.

These materials include: •USC Catalogue: Your academic contract

with the university, the Catalogue contains academic major requirements and descrip-tions of every class offered at USC.

•SCampus: A student guidebook with poli-cies and procedures relating to university governance, descriptions of USC programs and services, maps and telephone directory.

Meet with your academic advisor

Obtain a Permit to Register • Newstudentswhoattendorientationwill receive a Permit to Register document. Students who do not attend orientation must pick up their permit at the Registration Building. Please bring your official letter of admission and valid ID (driver’s license or passport).

• ContinuingstudentsmayaccesstheirPermit to Register information on myUSC (my.usc.edu) or on OASIS (www.usc.edu/OASIS) on the Permit to Register page.

Clear all holds or restrictions • YourPermittoRegisterwilllistany

restrictions on your account. Your advisor can tell you if your record contains holds that may prevent your registration and how to clear them. A complete list of holds appears in the Registration Procedures section of the Schedule of Classes (www.usc.edu/soc).

Select courses from the Schedule of Classes

•RefertotheonlineSchedule of Classes for course descriptions. •Remembertoselectbackupclasses that can fit into your sched-ule in case you encounter closed

classes.

Obtain D clearance•Checkforcoursesthatrequireclearance.If you see a “D” next to the 5-digit class number, you must contact the department that offers the course and request a D clear-ance. Example: 23166D

• ContactinformationforobtainingD clearances is listed below the department headings in the Schedule of Classes.

Register for classes on Web Registration

Follow the instructions below: 1. Log in to the USC Portal (my.usc.edu)

using your email username and password.

2. Select the Web Registration link under Single Sign-on Quicklinks.

3. Select each course in which you wish to register by clicking the Add to MyCourseBin button in the middle of the screen.

4. Click the MyCourseBin link. 5. Click the Add This Course button. 6. Review the list of courses in which you

are about to register. 7. Click the Submit button.

Please read all system messages carefully to ensure you are properly registered for your courses.

To drop a class from your program: •InMyCourseBin, click the Unschedule link

next to the course you wish to drop. •ClicktheDrop This Class button and pro-

ceed to drop the section. • Reviewthelistofcoursesyouareaboutto

drop and click Submit.

After completing your registration, you may print a copy of your registration confirmation from Web Registration.

Registration

Planning Your Schedule

STUDENT ORIENTATION HANDBOOK 11

Campus Housing

Getting Ready for Move-In Day 11Check In (August 22) The following steps will make your move-in much easier: •GetyourUSCpictureIDfromtheUSCard

Office in Parking Structure X. You will need this card to gain entry to your building.

•BringvalidpictureID,suchasyourUSCstudent ID, a driver’s license or passport.

•Pickupyourroom,buildingandmailboxkeys at the appropriate Customer Service Center for your building. You will receive further instructions from USC Housing.

•Rememberthatkeyscanonlybemadeavailable to you at a single location, so it is important to refer to the instructions sent from USC Housing for the appropriate times and locations.

•BesuretosignupwiththeUSCardOfficefor any meal plan required by your housing assignment if you haven’t already done so.

•MakeanynecessarypaymentsattheUSCCashier’s Office, which is open during regu-lar business hours Monday through Friday.

Other Items Available at Check In Information will be available at check in on the following additional services, offered by separate companies: •Bottledwaterdelivery•Laundryservice•Renters’insuranceforpersonalproperty,

fire and theft

Furnishings Provided All university housing facilities are furnished. Every resident in university housing is provided with a bed, desk, desk chair, three dresser drawers and closet space. Apartments are also furnished with appropriate living and dining room furniture. Kitchen facilities vary. Some apartments have “full kitchens” with cabinet space, a sink, a full-size refrigerator and stove; some also come with dishwashers. “Kitchenettes,” found in most bachelor apartments, have a microwave and a mini-refrigerator only. All residence hall rooms

come with a microfridge – a small refrigerator and microwave combination.

Items to Bring to Campus Don’t forget to bring such items as towels, blankets, a bedspread or comforter, sheets (twin-sized, extra-long 36’’ x 80’’), pillow(s)/pillowcases, an alarm clock, toiletries, hang-ers, decorations (such as posters, pictures or calendars), a fan and a cell phone.

If you will have a kitchen, remember to bring silverware, dishes, glasses, cooking utensils, pots, pans and kitchen appliances, or wait to coordinate your kitchen needs with your roommate(s). If you are assigned to an apartment with a full kitchen you may wish to bring a small microwave.

Shipping of Personal Belongings If you ship anything via U.S. Mail or a private express service, it must be prepaid and timed to arrive after you do. USC cannot provide storage space. You must have moved in to receive any shipments or they will be refused.

Storage Space Although storage space is not available in university owned housing, there are private storage rental companies near campus that you can locate when you arrive. However, you will probably find that bringing so many belongings and needing to rent a storage space away from campus is an inconvenience. Please note that all university furniture must remain in its assigned apartment.

Mail and Package Delivery The U.S. Post Office is responsible for mail delivery to most North University Park area housing buildings. Most University Park Campus buildings, however, have their mail delivered by Customer Service Centers (CSC). To ensure proper mail delivery, please refer to the CSC addresses on this page. You will receive your room or apartment number when you check in.

Packages that do not fit into mailboxes are accepted by the CSCs and held for residents to pick up. You will receive a “package slip,” which must be presented along with your ID to claim your package. Please remember, we cannot accept packages before your check in.

Access System The Access Control System Network is an electronic entry-and-monitoring system that operates in almost all USC housing facilities. The Access Network’s closed circuit television and alarm system contribute to residents’ safety. If you are a resident of a university owned housing facility, your USCard will function as an electronic “key” to gain entry to your building or apartment complex. Your USCard will be programmed to grant access to your housing and parking facilities as well as the many buildings on campus that are access controlled after 5 p.m.

Housekeeping and Maintenance Services The maintenance and cleanliness of univer-sity housing facilities is very important. USC Housing has custodial staff to maintain the public areas in each building, and a mainte-nance staff to handle repairs. To request a repair, you can place a work order by contact-ing your Housing Customer Service Center or calling the Housing Maintenance Office at (213) 740-4646. This office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Work orders can also be entered online at hsmtma.usc.edu.

Why live in university housing? For one thing, you’ll be close to

your classes, athletic events and libraries. For another, you’ll find

that your fellow residents – a mix of students from Brooklyn,

Bangkok or Boise – are facing the same challenges as you are.

You’ll make friendships that will last a lifetime.

Customer Service Centers (CSC)University Park Campus- Arts & Humanities Residential College (213) 740-8860- International Residential College at Parkside (213) 740-1941 - New Residential College (213) 740-1492- Fluor Tower (213) 740-2651 - Pardee Tower (213) 740-3626

North University Park - Cardinal Gardens (213) 743-5200 - Century Apartments (213) 821-8400 - Sierra Apartments (213) 743-5277 - Troy Hall East Apartments (213) 743-5288

Housing Services

•USC Wireless: USC Wireless is an open network. You can connect without entering your username and password. Because USC Wireless is an open network, Information Technology Services (ITS) recommends that you use USC’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) software to protect your personal informa-tion when using this network. See usc.edu/its/vpn for instructions.

•USC Wireless Plus: USC Wireless Plus is a faster, encrypted network, available only to USC account holders. When connecting to USC Wireless Plus for the first time, you may need to configure your wireless device. For instructions, see usc.edu/its/wireless/plus.

Go to usc.edu/its/mobile for information about how to connect your media-enabled mobile device to the USC wireless network and access your USC email.

ITS recommends that you register laptops and other mobile devices at usc.edu/its/connect/registration. For more information, visit usc.edu/its/wireless or contact the ITS Customer Support Center at (213) 740-5555 or consult@usc.edu.

Residential Housing Protection Blue-light phones, located in garages, lobbies and other places throughout the campus area, are a direct link to the Department of Public Safety. In an emergency, push the button on the phone and a DPS dispatcher will answer.

In addition to Public Safety officers, there is a full-time, radio-dispatched Residential Housing Protection/student officer staff. They patrol all university housing facilities from 8 p.m. to dawn and are additional “eyes and ears” for Public Safety. The Residential Housing Protection service is provided for the health, safety and well being of residents and their property. During semester and spring breaks, the Residential Housing Protection ser-vice is extended to 24 hours a day.

Laundry Facilities Most USC housing buildings have at least one on-site laundry room containing washers and dryers. These machines are owned and oper-ated by a private company. Residents must provide their own detergent. The university

recommends that students do

not leave laundry

unat-tended.

Vacuum Cleaners Each Customer Service Center offers vacuum cleaners for resident use. Residents may check out the vacuum cleaner by exchanging a valid ID (USC student ID or driver’s license). The limit for use is usually one hour, unless otherwise stated.

Smoke-Free Policy USC has a smoke-free policy to meet the needs of residents who prefer to live in a smoke-free environment. All University Park Campus, North University Park and Health Sciences Campus housing facilities are smoke-free environments, where smoking is not allowed even if a roommate gives consent and even if the resident is the sole occupant of the residence hall or apartment. All com-mon areas, including apartment balconies of any housing facility, are also designated as non-smoking areas.

Pets For legal, safety and health reasons, no pets other than fish (tank size of 10 gal-

lons or less) are permitted. Violators are subject to disciplinary action, a fumigation fee and charges related to any necessary cleaning of the room or apartment.

Internet and Cable ConnectionsAll university housing facilities are fully equipped with cable TV (requires a set with a digital tuner) and Ethernet connections (one per resident), and buildings have access to USC’s wireless network. However, due to structural requirements to meet earthquake codes, wired hook-ups in your room will always be the fastest and most efficient.

Wireless Access USC’s wireless network is a private net-

work, accessible to USC account holders and guests. There are two ways to con-nect to the USC wireless network: USC

Wireless and USC Wireless Plus.

STUDENT ORIENTATION HANDBOOK 13

Campus Dining

Choosing a Meal Plan 13Dining Options and Meal Plans A variety of dining options are available throughout campus. These include USC Hospitality Residential Dining with Café ‘84, EVK and Parkside Restaurant; The Ronald Tutor Campus Center featuring a variety of quick service dining options, coffee and specialty beverages and convenience items; Trojan Grounds; and a variety of cafes located throughout campus such as the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in the School of Cinematic Arts, the Law School Café, Literatea, The Shop Café in the Architecture building, Tutor Café and Popovich Café.

Across from campus on Figueroa near the Galen Center, students can find dining and sports-viewing options at the Lab, a gastropub with a casual atmosphere featuring a variety of sandwiches and entrees; and Rosso Oro’s, a pizzeria that offers New York-style thin crust pizza and pastas, as well as music and shuffle-board. McKay’s, next to the Radisson, is a fine dining establishment that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

All freshmen assigned to residence halls and apartments have required meal plans. When you confirm your housing contract, you will be automatically enrolled in the default plan for that building. If you want to change your meal plan to another available option, you must do so during the first two weeks of the meal plan period. These plans allow you to use your USCard to purchase food and bever-ages in USC Hospitality venues. Meal plan options are outlined here. Call the USCard Office at (213) 740-8709 or visit www.usc.edu/uscard.

For additional information about meal plans or general questions about the services provided by USC Hospitality, please call (213) 740-6285 or visit hospitality.usc.edu.

2012-2013 Meal Plan Information Residence Hall / Apartment Meal Plans

Cardinal Plan Provides: Unlimited meals in USC Hospitality Residential Dining venues**.Residence Locations: The minimum meal plan requirement for residents living in New and North Residential Colleges; University Residential College at Birnkrant; Marks Hall; Marks Tower; Pardee Tower; Trojan Hall; Fluor Tower; Webb Tower; and Arts & Humanities and Parkside International Residential Colleges.

Gold Plan Provides: Unlimited meals in USC Hospitality Residential Dining venues** and $500 Dining Dollars* per semester.Residence Locations: Available as an option-al upgrade to all residents except those living in Honors House.

Trojan PlanProvides: A declining balance plan that resets at the end of each semester. This plan may be used in USC Hospitality Residential and Retail Dining venues located on the University Park Campus. There are no minimum or maximum spending limits. Residence Locations: Available as an optional upgrade to all residents except those living in Honors House.

Community Apartment PlanProvides: 50 meals in USC Hospitality Residential Dining venues** and $100 Dining Dollars* per semester.Residence Locations: All residents living in Century, Cardinal Gardens and Parkside Apartments.

Optional Meal Plans

Community 25 Meal Plan Provides: 25 meals in USC Hospitality Residential Dining venues** and $50 Dining Dollars* per school year.Availability: Available to any USC student not enrolled in a required mean plan or as a supplement to any meal plan. This plan may be purchased or renewed at any time and may be used throughout the school year.

Community 50 Meal Plan Provides: 50 meals in USC Hospitality Residential Dining venues** and $100 Dining Dollars* per school year. Availability: Available to any USC student not enrolled in a required meal plan or as a supplement to any meal plan. This plan may be purchased or renewed at any time and may be used throughout the school year.

*Dining Dollars may be used in any USC Hospitality Residential and Retail Dining venue located on the USC University Park Campus.

**USC Hospitality Residential Dining venues include Café

84, EVK and Parkside Restaurant.

Note: Information regarding meal plans and prices is accu-rate at the time of publication. All meal plan names and pricing are subject to post-publication changes.

Transportation

Getting Around Campus

Parking PermitsIf you bring a car to campus, you will want to purchase a parking permit. Parking permits for the fall, spring and summer terms are avail-able for purchase online at www.usc.edu/parking or at the USC Transportation office, located in Parking Structure X (PSX). Parking permits available for purchase are: on-campus residential, on-campus commuter, off-campus residential, carpool and Parking Center.

Entering the LotteryDuring the parking lottery registration period, visit the USC Transportation Website, create and log in to your Parking Account, and select up to eight parking structure/lots by clicking on “Add or Edit Parking Waitlists.” Purchases can be made by check, cash or through your USC student fee bill account. Please check our Website for the most current prices. Permits can be mailed to you or picked up at the USC Transportation office. For more information and online permit registration/purchase, con-tact USC Transportation at (213) 740-3575 or visit www.usc.edu/parking.

Lottery Dates• Fall housing residents/commuters: May 1 - June 30• Fall term: July 22 at noon• Spring term: November 1 - December 7• Summer term: April 1 - May 10

Permits are sold for the academic year (two semesters); you will be billed once in the fall and again in the spring. If you don’t need your spring permit, return it to the USC Transportation office to avoid charges.

Campus Cruiser Program Campus Cruiser provides a safe ride home for all students, staff, faculty and visitors to any non-retail location within one mile of campus. Cruisers are available fall and spring semester 6 p.m. - 2:45 a.m., summer 6 p.m. - 12:45 a.m., and from Leavey Library from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. Cruisers do not operate during univer-sity holidays.

Call when you are ready to leave. A dis-patcher will ask for your current location, your destination and the number of passengers. A campus cruiser will pick you up in approxi-mately 15-20 minutes. You may request either a phone call or text message alerting you that your cruiser has arrived. For the University Park Campus, call (213) 740-4911, and for the Health Sciences Campus, call (323) 442-2100.

USC Bus Service USC buses run during the fall, spring and summer terms. Their routes transport resi-dents of off-campus and non-university hous-ing back and forth to the University Park Campus. The buses also provide free transpor-tation to the USC Health Sciences Campus, the USC Parking Center and Union Station.

LA Live Shuttlewww.lalive.com/usc

USC Transportation provides a free week-end shuttle to LA Live, downtown’s newest nightlife destination, which features a Regal Cinema and a variety of restaurants and clubs. The shuttle departs from the front of the Lab gastropub and the 901 Bar on Figueroa every 30 minutes. The shuttle runs from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Yellow Cab (800) USC-TAXIwww.usc.edu/uscard/yellowcab

Students can use Yellow Cab within Los Angeles city limits 24 hours a day and pay with their USCards. Fares include tips and groups travel for one price. Pickup locations are Gate 3, Gate 5 and the Radisson Hotel.

Ridesharing Program Ridesharing offers several time and money sav-ing alternatives to commuting to USC.

Vanpool: If your schedule coincides with traditional working hours, you may join a van-pool at one of more than 18 pickup locations.

Carpool: You may carpool with one or more USC students, faculty or staff members and

qualify for reduced cost parking permits. For more information, visit transnet.usc.edu or the USC Transportation office.

Zimridewww.zimride.com/usc

Zimride is an online social networking tool aimed at carpooling and vanpooling. Zimride is exclusive to USC students, faculty and staff and is fully integrated with Facebook. Simply join online for free, create a profile with your ride preferences and share the ride.

Zipcar www.zipcar.com/usc

Zipcar is a car-sharing service for USC stu-dents, faculty and staff older than 18 that offers pay-as-you-go access to low emission vehicles. You can rent a Zipcar for a day or hours. Insurance, gas and car maintenance are included. Zipcars are located on the University Park Campus and in the north campus area.

To register, visit www.zipcar.com/usc. If you do not have a California driver’s license or are licensed outside the U.S., you must provide a five-year driving record with your application.

Enterprise Rent-A-CarEnterprise Rent-A-Car, located in the USC Transportation office, offers the USC commu-nity special services, including rentals for stu-dents ages 18 to 20 and discounted rates for faculty, staff and students age 21 and over.

Bicycle PolicyBicycle registration is required by California law and university regulation. You can register your bike at the Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in Parking Structure A from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Bicycles may be parked only in bicycle racks in areas specifically designated for this pur-pose. Lock your bike to these racks to deter theft. Do not park your bike in a doorway, on stairs or blocking any handicapped access. Violating bikes will be impounded. For more information, contact DPS at (213) 740-9565.

14 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

STUDENT ORIENTATION HANDBOOK 15

Financial Matters

Managing Your Finances 15Estimated College Costs (2012–2013) Full-time undergraduate living in university housing (estimated):

Tuition (24-36 units)...........................$43,722Lab Fees............................................ $5–$500Room and Board................................ $12,440Books and Supplies*............................. $1,050Transportation....................................... $828Personal Spending and Miscellaneous................................... $1,974Mandatory Fees...................................... $678First Semester Orientation Fee................. $150*Used books, rentals and e-books from USCBookstore will lower amount.

Paying Tuition and Fees Your student account on USCe.pay (available by logging in to your myUSC portal page) will reflect your tuition charges, mandatory fees, optional fees and, if applicable, financial aid credits. It will list your current financial obliga-tion to the university (“Account Balance”). Depending on when you registered and made any changes to your enrollment, your enroll-ment-related transactions may appear on two or more different monthly billing statements, all available on USCe.pay.

The account balance will include this semes-ter’s tuition and fees, any prior balances and any other miscellaneous charges, less any financial aid, payment plan credits and other credits and/or payments. Also listed will be your current balance due (“Billing Balance”) and the date by which this balance must be paid (“Payment Due Date”). If you have set up a monthly payment plan, this will also be available to you on USCe.pay.

Once you have financial transactions on your student account, you can access your record on USCe.pay through myUSC (my.usc.edu). You can set up and control access to guest user accounts on OASIS or USCe.pay for your parents or others who may be help-ing you with your education. An OASIS guest account grants access to all education records available online. A USCe.pay guest account grants access only to your student account and payment plan.

You should check your account on USCe.pay any time you make a change to your enroll-ment. In addition, we email monthly billing notices to all students who have outstanding balances or activity on their student accounts during the month to their USC email address-es. You can have notices emailed to your guest users by providing their email addresses when you set up their accounts. USC does not mail billing statements for enrolled students.

Although we accept payments from third parties, you are ultimately responsible for set-tling all debts to the university by the appro-priate deadlines. Non-receipt of a bill does not relieve you of this obligation. You may use USCe.pay to print an online statement show-ing your tuition and fees.

If any private parties (including family members) are assisting you in paying for your expenses and require a monthly billing state-ment showing tuition and fees before they will issue payment, it is your responsibility to register early enough to accommodate them. We recommend that you register a minimum of 40 days before the settlement deadline.

To avoid late fees, you must register and have your tuition, fees, housing, dining and all other charges paid or deferred by the settle-ment deadline published in the Schedule of Classes each semester. If you fail to register and settle your account on time, you may be assessed late fees and/or finance charges until your bill is settled.

Non-receipt of a bill does not relieve you of this settlement deadline. Using the Web Registration auto scheduler feature but fail-ing to register for any courses before the tuition and fees payment deadline is not a valid reason to request a waiver of the late registration fee. Students whose checks are returned unpaid by the bank or whose credit card authorizations or electronic bank account payments are declined by the bank will be subject to the late fees described above until their accounts are paid in full.

Elective insurance (Tuition Refund Plan) is available that provides coverage for tuition and mandatory fees (excluding health insurance)

for students who suffer serious illnesses or accidents that make it necessary for them to leave the university before the semester is completed. You must accept or decline the insurance when you register. If you accept the insurance, a charge equal to approxi-mately .40 of 1 percent of your tuition and mandatory fees will be added to your student account. The Tuition Refund Plan insurance rate is determined by July 1 prior to the start of the new academic year.

Students may opt to purchase or decline Tuition Refund Plan insurance up until the end of week three of the fall and spring semesters, or the week three equivalent in special sessions. Students who wish to change their Tuition Refund Plan insurance setting may do so on Web Registration by clicking the Tuition Refund Insurance button and following the prompts.

The Tuition Refund Plan is offered through a private insurance carrier, Dewars, Inc. Further information and application brochures are available from the Cashier’s Office and Registration and Records.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Buckley Amendment) prohibits the disclo-sure of financial information to anyone other than you. Students who wish to give their parents or other individuals access to their student accounts must sign an authorization form which allows Student Financial Services personnel to release financial information.

Paying Your BillYou will be notified via email sent to your USC email account (ends in @usc.edu) when your billing statement is available online each month. USC does not mail billing statements to enrolled students.You may pay your bill via the Internet (USCe.pay), by mail or in person at the Cashier’s Office. You can access USCe.pay by logging in to myUSC and selecting the USCe.pay service. USCe.pay allows you to manage your student account online. You can pay your tuition and fees by transferring funds from your savings or checking account, or

Please read this section carefully for information about paying tuition

and fees, student financial services, financial aid, USC Credit Union

services, check cashing on campus, local banking and more.

16 UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Managing Your Finances

services. You and your family are invited to join and take advantage of: free checking accounts and free bill pay; high yield sav-ings accounts; money market accounts; CDs; MasterCard credit cards; and MasterMoney debit cards. Once you’re a member, you’re a member for life with access to products and services to help you achieve your dreams while at USC and long after graduation.

Here’s a sample of the services we offer. • Totally free checking accounts: With no

minimum balance or direct deposit require-ments, our checking account is free of monthly service fees.

• Free bill pay: It’s easier than ever to pay your bills on time without going to the post office. And if you do not live in the LA area, online bill pay makes us more convenient.

• Free ACH funds transfer from any finan-cial instituion: Our free ACH (automated clearinghouse) funds transfers allow you to quickly transfer funds from your existing financial institution into your parents’ or your own USC Credit Union account or vice versa. With a minimum transfer amount of $250, funds will be available as soon as the next business day.

• Off campus access: Enjoy surcharge-free withdrawals at more than 28,000 co-op network ATMs in all 50 states and 7-Eleven stores. You can also make transactions at the 6,600 CU service centers across the U.S.

• Mobile and Online access: Get account information, perform transactions and send electronic payments to virtually any person or business through our Mobile and Home Banking services. Or conduct transactions on campus at our ATMs, Student Union branch (STU) or Flower Street branch (CUB).

Banking Around Campus There are several banking instiutions in the general campus vicinity.• USC Credit Union Student Union (STU), Suite 106 3601 Trousdale Parkway Los Angeles, CA 90089-0921 (213) 821-7100 www.USCcreditunion.org

by charging to your American Express, VISA, MasterCard or Discover card.

If you are paying by mail, please fol-low the instructions on your Registration Confirmation or monthly billing statement. Be sure to mail your payment early enough for the university to receive it by the settlement deadline or late fees and finance charges will accrue. For account balance information or questions regarding your account, call the Cashier’s Office at (213) 740-7471. Outside the Southern California area, call (800) 225-1222.

Student Financial ServicesUSC offers a monthly payment plan in fall and spring semesters that allows you to spread the cost of tuition and fees billed to your account (less any aid applied to your account) for each term over five months. A separate online application is required each term, and you must be registered for classes at the time of application. For more information, visit www.usc.edu/sfs and click on “Payment Plan.”

The Office of Student Financial Services dis-burses and collects Perkins and other campus-based loans and administers the payment plan.

Before you receive your Federal Perkins Loan, Health Profession Student Loan, Loan for Disadvantaged Students or any institutional loan, you must authorize USC to credit the funds to your student account by electronically signing a master promissory note. The univer-sity has partnered with ECSI, which currently services these loans, to help with this process. An email will be sent to your official USC email address (ends in @usc.edu) with instruc-tions on how to accept and sign for these loans electronically. Note: You will need your FAFSA pin to complete the process for Federal Student Loans.

If you have already signed a master promis-sory note, you will not be asked to electroni-cally sign another promissory note except for Health Profession Student Loans, Loans for Disadvantaged Students and institutional student loans. Questions on traditional need-

based financial aid or other alternative financ-ing programs may be referred to the financial aid window in the lobby of John Hubbard Hall (JHH). More information and frequently asked questions are available at www.usc.edu/sfs.

Financial Aid A college education is one of the most impor-tant investments you will ever make, and a degree from a highly competitive university such as USC is one of the few investment opportunities with an all but guaranteed return. By nearly every measure, an educa-tion from USC, with its top-ranked programs, world-class faculty, powerful alumni network, and vibrant Los Angeles campus, will place you in a family of achievers – confident, capa-ble people who accomplish great things.

USC administers one of the largest financial aid programs in the United States. We encour-age you to take advantage of the financial resources USC has to offer. Several financ-ing options exist to help you pay your USC expenses. If you have not yet applied for need-based financial aid and wish to do so, you must act quickly. U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens may qualify for federal financial aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan and the Federal District Parent PLUS Loan. Financial aid counselors are available by phone, email or in person. For more information, visit www.usc.edu/contactfao.

In addition to scholarships and need-based financial aid, USC offers other financing options to cover your cost of attendance. You can pay from savings or current income, the USC Payment Plan or the USC Pre-payment Plan. For more information regarding USC payment plans, visit www.usc.edu/sfs.

USC Credit UnionThe USC Credit Union is the only financial institution headquartered on campus dedi-cated to serving the Trojan Family. We offer every service banks do, but we’re a not-for-profit financial cooperative – owned by our members – so our profits do not go to stock-holders. We give them back to you through better interest rates, and low or no fees on

Student Organizations

Getting Involved 17The Student Involvement Fair is held the first Wednesday of every fall and spring semester. This is an excellent opportunity for you to find out about a wide variety of student organiza-tions. Some questions you might want to ask these organizations may include: • Whatisthenameofyourorganization?• Isyourorganizationastudentaffiliate

of a larger organization? • Howlonghasitbeenanorganizationat

USC? • Whatisitspurpose?• Whataresomeofyourorganization’s

successful projects and programs? • Howoftendoyouhavemeetings?• Whatexpectationsdoyouhavefor

members? • Whataretheopportunitiesfor

leadership now and in the future? • Whatisthetimecommitment

expected of members?

If you miss the Student Involvement Fair, don’t worry! A list of all student organizations is available online at www.usc.edu/stuorgs. If you can’t figure out what the organization is about from the name of the group, visit its Website. It is important to research the vari-ous organizations.

You can also talk with your friends, your Orientation Advisor, faculty members or Student Affairs staff, or stop by the Peer Leadership Consultant office, located in the Ronald Tutor Campus Center 330.

Once you decide to get involved with a par-ticular student organization, you can email the student organization, call the president, go to the meetings or put a note in their mailbox. If you want to start your own organiza-tion, it’s easy to do. The Peer Leadership Consultants can help you get involved. For more information, contact (213) 740-5341.

Tickets to Athletic EventsStudents are admitted free to all athletic events except football. Athletic events are free on a first-come, first-served basis as long as students have their current USC ID cards in

• USC Credit Union Flower Street (CUB), 1st Floor 3720 South Flower Street Los Angeles, CA 90089-2280 (877) 670-5860 www.USCcreditunion.org• Health Sciences Campus 1969 Zonal Ave., Suite 101B SRH 101B Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 442-1898 www.USCcreditunion.org

On-campus ATMs are on the exterior wall of the Student Union across from Moreton Fig. For off-campus ATMs, visit www.USCcreditunion.org.

• Bank of America 985 West Jefferson Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 763-8907• Chase 3335 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 745-7928• Wells Fargo Bank 141 West Adams Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 745-7208

Check Cashing USC’s check cashing policy allows up to $25 to be cashed per day in the Cashier’s Office. There is a $0.25 service charge. To qualify:• YoumusthaveacurrentUSCardalong

with a valid form of identification such as a driver’s license or military ID.

• YoumustbecurrentlyenrolledatUSC.• Yourfinancialaccountmustbeingood

standing.

A Multitude of Choices There are over 750 student organizations at USC and they fall within one (or a combi-nation) of the following categories: academic interest, honor societies, recreational, reli-gious, political, social, service, cultural, special interest or residential.

There are numerous benefits for getting involved in co-curricular

activities. It is important for you to plan your involvement and not just

let it happen to you. Decide if you want to focus on academic stu-

dent organizations tied to your major or if you want to get involved

in a variety of different organizations. The choice is yours. Either way,

involvement is the key to a great experience at USC.

STUDENT ORIENTATION HANDBOOK 17

possession. Once students are registered, they are sent an email allowing them to purchase a USC football season ticket online within a spe-cific timeframe. The ticket is good for all home games and also allows students to participate in some away game lotteries such as UCLA, Cal and Stanford. Once a student purchases a football season ticket, it is electronically put on his or her USCard and scanned for entrance at Gate 28 at the Coliseum. Spring admits will be sent an email once the Ticket Office receives all their information from the Registrar’s Office. For more information, contact the USC Ticket Office at (213) 740-GOSC or visit usc-ticketoffice.com.

Trojans Care for Trojans tc4t@usc.edusait.usc.edu/ca/tc4t

Trojans Care for Trojans, a Student Affairs initiative, offers connections to institutional support and resources for Trojans coping with personal difficulties. It encourages students to care for each other and the entire campus community and provides a private and anony-mous service for students to express their concerns about fellow members of the Trojan Family. The interactive Website features educa-tional videos, a list of campus and community resources and an anonymous request form.

We Are Considerate. We Are USC.As part of an ongoing effort, USC has launched the “We Are Considerate. We Are USC.” campaign encouraging students, faculty and staff to think of “considerate” as the sixth trait of a Trojan. The current focus is bicycle safety on the University Park Campus. Bicyclists should follow guidelines, which include shar-ing campus pathways, walking bikes in desig-nated high-traffic areas, parking bikes in racks, encouraging safe riding and focusing when biking on campus. All members of the com-munity are asked to participate by pledging to be considerate during their time at USC.

Role and Mission of USCThe central mission of the University of Southern California is the development of human beings and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. The principal means by which our mission is accomplished are teaching, research, artistic creation, professional practice and selected forms of public service.

Our first priority as faculty and staff is the education of our students, from freshmen to post-doctoral researchers, through a broad array of academic, professional, extracurricular and athletic programs of the first rank. The integration of liberal and professional learn-ing is one of USC’s special strengths. We strive constantly for excellence in teaching knowledge and skills to our students, while at the same time helping them to acquire wisdom and insight, love of truth and beauty, moral discernment, understanding of self, and respect and appreciation for others.

Research of the highest quality by our faculty and students is fundamental to our mission. USC is one of a very small number of premier academic institutions in which research and teaching are inextricably inter-twined, and on which the nation depends for a steady stream of new knowledge, art and technology. Our faculty are not simply teachers of the works of others, but active contributors to what is taught, thought and practiced throughout the world.

USC is pluralistic, welcoming outstanding men and women of every race, creed and background. We are a global institution in a global center, attracting more international

students over the years than any other American university. And we are private, unfettered by political control, strongly committed to academic freedom and proud of our entrepreneurial heritage.

An extraordinary closeness and willingness to help one another are evident among USC students, alumni, faculty and staff; indeed, for those within its compass, the Trojan Family is a genuinely supportive community. Alumni, trustees, volunteers and friends of USC are essential to this family tradition, providing generous financial support, participating in university governance and assisting students at every turn.

In our surrounding neighborhoods and around the globe, USC provides public leader-ship and public service in such diverse fields as health care, economic development, social welfare, scientific research, public policy and the arts. We also serve the public interest as the largest private employer in the city of Los Angeles, as well as the city’s largest export industry in the private sector.

USC has played a major role in the develop-ment of Southern California for more than a century, and plays an increasingly important role in the development of the nation and the world. We expect to continue to play these roles for many centuries to come. Thus our planning, commitments and fiscal policies are directed toward building quality and excel-lence in the long term.

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University of Southern CaliforniaOrientation ProgramsDivision of Student AffairsStudent Union B-7Los Angeles, CA 90089-0921Tel (213) 740-7767