All USC students taking in-person classes or living in university-owned residences in Fall 2020 are required to complete immunization for influenza by November 1. Students living in off-campus residences and taking classes remotely are also strongly encouraged to get a flu vaccine. Students returning to in person classes in Spring 2021 will be required to show proof of vaccination before they will be permitted on campus.
Category: News
National Recovery Month
9/15/21—As you may already be aware, September is National Recovery Month—a time to promote and support the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of community members and service providers across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible, and new evidence-based recovery practices.
At USC, the Naloxone SC program can provide vital information and assistance to USC students in preventing overdoses or substances laced with fentanyl. Developed by the USC School of Pharmacy graduate students in CPNP, this website includes a video training on opioid reversal using naloxone—this training is available to all USC students, is free, and provides a free twin pack of Narcan-brand naloxone nasal spray and drug testing strips to all who complete the video training. An independent student-run social media account, https://twitter.com/usctaco, provides shareable content on understanding overdose prevention. Please help share the word about these programs. Access to information, training, test strips and naloxone can potentially save a life….Continue Reading National Recovery Month
8/23 Nasal Swab Testing; Other Testing Updates
As of this week, USC Student Health is re-introducing nasal swab as a method for collecting samples for COVID-19 testing. Nasal swab appointments are available through MySHR (Monday-Friday until 3:30 PM) at Jefferson Lot and Pardee Marks locations. Please refer to the Pop Testing Hours and Locations page for updated information. Thank you to our community — 27,000 tests were administered this past week, and there was less than 0.5% positivity among students — much lower than in the general population (3.52% is the current positivity rate for Los Angeles County). Your participation in our vaccine program, reaching above 91% for fully vaccinated among students, faculty, and staff, has also made the opening of the fall semester safer for everyone….Continue Reading 8/23 Nasal Swab Testing; Other Testing Updates
NEW EXTENSION PERIOD (Friday 8/27 deadline) for Trojan Check Requirements
Students are advised of an extension period for your COVID-19 surveillance test; and for completing the “Hygiene Health and Safety” learning module in Trojan Learn (https://trojanlearn.usc.edu).
If you are vaccinated and your Trojan Check is showing as “noncompliant” for either of these two reasons; you have until Friday, August 27 at 12 midnight to complete these requirements.
COVID-19 Testing (Pop Testing Program)
We strongly recommended you complete your surveillance test by Wednesday, August 25….Continue Reading NEW EXTENSION PERIOD (Friday 8/27 deadline) for Trojan Check Requirements
7/22 Health Alert: Increase in COVID-19 cases in LA County
LA County’s COVID-19 cases have increased by 20-fold compared to last month. On June 21 there were 124 cases. Yesterday, July 21, there were 2,551 new cases reported. We are also seeing an increase in positive cases in the USC community. Given the increase in community spread, we remind all USC students, faculty, and staff of the symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms may be very mild, especially if you are fully vaccinated. Please stay home if you have symptoms and do not go to work, attend class, or any other activity until you are able to test. If you receive a contact-tracing email notification from USC Student Health that you are believed to have had a COVID-19 exposure, you are recommended to test even if you are fully vaccinated.…Continue Reading 7/22 Health Alert: Increase in COVID-19 cases in LA County
7/15 Health Alert: Indoor Masking Required, Effective Immediately
7/15 — In alignment with the LA County Department of Public Health Public Health Officer Order announced today,USC is now requiring masking indoors for all individuals in campus facilities, including vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, to protect yourself and others from transmission. Los Angeles County has seen a recent rise in COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks, confirming a trend of rising transmission among unvaccinated individuals. For the first time since March, Los Angeles County has reported more than 1,500 new cases daily. There is also growing concern about the Delta variant, which is highly transmissible and now has been detected in all 50 states in the U.S., and accounts for the vast majority of cases currently identified in LA County.
…Continue Reading 7/15 Health Alert: Indoor Masking Required, Effective Immediately
Health Requirements for New Students: Entering for Spring 2023
As you get ready for the academic year, we would like to share with you some materials that will help you adjust to campus life and meet some health and safety requirements—including COVID-19 vaccination requirements that have a completion deadline of July 15, 2021.
Please review the new student materials as you make plans to start the academic year, and share with parents, guardians, and other members of your support network. (Materials translated into Chinese are available online.) We would also like to remind you to learn about health and immunization requirements for new students, including insurance and immunizations….Continue Reading Health Requirements for New Students: Entering for Spring 2023
“Ask A Doc” and Vaccine Facts
Although 70 percent of Californians have now received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, we are still racing against time to immunize as many people as possible before the coronavirus can develop new variants. Vaccination rates in cities across LA County range from 20% to 79% (among ages 16 and older). Learn the facts about vaccines, including addressing common myths, so you have accurate information if you are still making your decision. USC departments can arrange to have medical providers answer questions and engage with faculty and staff about vaccine concerns, through our “Ask A Doc” program….Continue Reading “Ask A Doc” and Vaccine Facts
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Fall 2021
For International Students: We are very much looking forward to your arrival on campus, and know you are busy making preparations for the start of your academic program at USC. As you plan for your arrival at USC for the fall 2021 semester, please review the following health and safety requirements. USC is requiring all students, faculty and staff to submit proof of vaccination for COVID-19 in order to access campus facilities for the fall semester. Your safety is our top priority….Continue Reading COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Fall 2021
Mental Health Day of Action (May 20)
As many of you may know, May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and May 20 has been designated as a day of action—whether this means taking time for your own mental health, learning about resources, creating space for a self-care practice, connecting through community, or reaching out for help. We are sharing with you this USC Mental Health Awareness webpage that collects current resources on mental health at USC. Newly created among these offerings is the Student Journalism Wellness Project, created by USC student journalists (through the Kayleigh Finnie Memorial Scholarship) as a way of raising discussion and awareness of mental health care in the field of journalism….Continue Reading Mental Health Day of Action (May 20)