University of Southern California
PA-5: Diversity and Equity Coordination

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion officers train, educate, and provide resources and events for students and faculty at USC in regard to diversity, equity, and accountability.

The Office's purpose is to educate students, faculty, and staff on complex social subjects and to communicate the school’s privilege and responsibility to challenge itself and pursue progress. Additionally, the USC Race and Equity Center conducts research in regard to racism and social injustice.

Dedication of University Funds:
In 2015, USC Provost Quick announced the creation of a $100,000 fund for Undergraduate and Graduate Student Governments to address issues of diversity, inclusion, equity, opportunity, and access at USC. This fund was divided with $50,000 for Undergraduate Student Government and $50,000 for Graduate Student Government to use during Spring semester 2016 to support programs, events, conferences, research, outreach, service projects, or other opportunities. Student government leaders reported at the end of the semester how the money was spent, and outcomes of the effort.

Residential Education Programs:
The 16 USC Building Governments and Residential Student Government have added Social Justice and Inclusion Chairs to their executive boards. These Chairs participate in a weekly seminar that has a curriculum based on diversity, and the Chairs are tasked with facilitating diversity-themed programs in the residence halls. Diversity is a central theme in the new Cardinal & Gold events which are organized by the Office of Residential Education, with four diversity-themed Cardinal & Gold events taking place. The Office is also implementing a diversity-themed Intergroup Dialogue program in the residence halls. The Office of Residential Education is working to bring diversity education to the entire residential population and is looking to expand efforts via programming during Orientation and Welcome Week.

Student Leaders Diversity Training:
The Division of Student Affairs has assembled a core committee of staff to conduct diversity and inclusion training for leaders of registered student organizations. The committee is tasked with developing workshops and training that empower and engage student leaders to create inclusive communities for all members of the Trojan Family. Starting in Spring 2016, all student leaders have had the opportunity to discuss pertinent issues on diversity, identity, inclusion, and creating a culture of care.

USC Price School Initiative on Diversity:
In 2016, the USC Price School of Public Policy announced a new school-wide initiative, The Initiative on Diversity, Social Justice, and Inclusion. Building on the school’s commitment to social justice, the initiative is led by a task force comprised of students, faculty, and staff, and focuses on hiring diverse faculty and staff, student recruitment, fostering a supportive environment, making diversity a key policy issue, and supporting outreach activities that engage in shaping public dialogue and policy.

USC Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) Task Force:
The REDI task force grew out of an effort that was launched at USC in 2015 and revitalized in 2020. A group of students, faculty, and staff were charged with looking across USC's campuses, analyzing strengths and shortcomings, and delivering recommendations to build excellence by enhancing racial diversity, equity, and inclusion. These recommendations touch on nearly every corner of the university community, including recruitment and retention, programs and curriculum, research and evaluation, culture and values, and identifying necessary resources for support.