Sponsored Research Cost Transfers

Policy Purpose USC is committed to ensuring responsible expenditure of sponsored research funds in a manner that complies with applicable federal regulations, including those that require all grant charges to be allowable, allocable, consistent, reasonable, and timely.  Cost transfers (also known as expense transfers) are designed to correct expenses related to sponsored activities initially charged…

Effort Reporting

Policy Purpose ​​​Salaries and wages typically comprise the largest percentage of expenses on a sponsored project. Effort certification is the method by which the government and other sponsors verify that salaries charged to sponsored projects and committed cost sharing accounts reasonably reflect effort spent on a sponsored research project during the reporting time frame. Effort certification is required for every employee who receives a portion of their salary from a sponsored project or cost-sharing account.  This…

Research Compliance

Policy Purpose The purpose of this policy is to ensure USC research is conducted with integrity, accountability, and in accordance with regulatory and institutional requirements through the establishment of a university policy framework to implement the standards and expectations contained in USC’s Guide to Research.  Please view policy to access additional details. View Policy.

Disclosure of Other Support – Federal Sponsor Requirements

Policy Purpose This policy ensures that the University of Southern California (USC) complies with all federal funding agency requirements for disclosure of Other Support and Current and Pending Support by individuals engaged in federally sponsored research. The policy promotes transparency, research integrity, and protection of the federal research enterprise, as required under: Please view policy…

Responding to Requests by Government Officials for Access to University Residences and Non-Public Areas of University Buildings and Premises

Policy Purpose ​​To provide guidance on the university’s role and responsibilities when working with government officials, including law enforcement officers, when they seek to enter university residences and non-public areas of university buildings and premises.  Please view policy to access additional details. View Policy.

Responding to Immigration Enforcement Actions ​

Policy Purpose ​​This policy outlines the university’s response to any immigration enforcement action involving a student or employee, related support, and impacts on the individual’s education and/or employment.   Please view policy to access additional details. View Policy.

Service and Assistance Animal

The purpose of this policy to articulate the conditions under which Service and Assistance Animals are permitted access to University grounds and facilities.

Third-Party Integrity and Accountability Code

We focus on integrity in all we do. Our Third Parties are a vital part of how we achieve our mission, and we must work together to do the right thing in all of our dealings. When working with us or on our behalf, we expect you to perform at the highest standard of business…

Data Privacy Policy

This policy represents USC’s commitment to respecting and protecting the privacy of its students, patients, faculty, staff, research subjects, and anyone from whom USC Personnel collect or receive Personal Information. The University is also committed to protecting the privacy of Personal Information within its direct and indirect control in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and University policies, procedures, and principles.

Gifts and Hospitality Policy

As USC Employees, we are accountable for evaluating the G&H that are given and received in accordance with this policy. USC employees must ensure that giving or receiving G&H does not improperly influence or appear to improperly influence an individual’s decision-making abilities.

Political Site Visit and Events

Policy Purpose The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the University of Southern California (USC) complies with applicable laws when hosting site visits and events with Government Officials, Political Candidates, and Campaign Representatives. USC does not endorse Political Candidates, contribute to their campaigns, or otherwise permit the use of USC resources to support…

USC Integrity and Accountability Code

At the University of Southern California, ethical behavior is predicated on two main pillars: a commitment to discharging our obligations to others in a fair and honest manner, and a commitment to respecting the rights and dignity of all persons.

Clery Policy

The requirements in this policy are designed to facilitate USC’s compliance with the “Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998,” (the “Clery Act”). The Clery Act requires USC to disclose specified crime report statistics on and near its campuses, to provide other safety and crime information to the campus community in an accurate, complete, and timely manner, and to maintain written policies and procedures implementing the Clery Act.

Event, Gatherings and Tailgate Fencing Policy

The university uses fencing of various heights to create a barrier or barricade to control the flow and capacity at an event. Fencing is also required when serving alcoholic beverages by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the latter of whom signs off on ABC service permits.

Athletics Student – Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Policy

The vision of USC is to have the most student-athlete centered athletics program in the nation. In alignment with that vision, we support the ability of our student-athletes to earn compensation from third parties for the use of their name, image, and likeness (“NIL”), consistent with this Policy and California’s Fair Pay to Play Act.

Third-Party Security Risk Management

Please view policy to access additional details.

Student Travel Abroad – Destination Restrictions and Crisis Management

As a global university, USC encourages students to gain international experience through a variety of programs, including study abroad, internships abroad, and international service trips.

Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation

USC’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation incorporates a University-wide approach to preventing and responding to discrimination and harassment on the basis of protected characteristics, retaliation, and specific forms of harassment based on sex: sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and related forms of conduct.

Research and Scholarship Misconduct

This policy applies to research and scholarship carried out at USC involving any faculty (including part-time, adjunct and visiting), staff, trainee or students regardless of funding source, if any.

The USC Student Handbook

The USC Student Handbook outlines the rights, responsibilities, and obligations you have as a student member of this community.

Data Protection

Please view policy to access additional details.

Cybersecurity Incident Response

Please view policy to access additional details.

Faculty Handbook

The Faculty Handbook contains the central policies of the University, developed through shared governance.

Acceptable Use

Please view policy to access additional details.

Travel Expenditures

The purpose of the policy is to ensure travel expenditures are reasonable, customary, and necessary to conduct official university business.

Employee Records

The university maintains personnel information for each employee to ensure a complete, accurate and current record of documents related to the job and employment status of an employee.

USC Drug-Free

The Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act and its amendments of 1989 (Public Law 101-226, 20 U.S.C. 1011i) require all federal grant recipients to certify a drug-free environment.

Gift Acceptance and Campaign Counting

All university employees and volunteers must adhere to this policy, which also acts as a guide for prospective donors and their advisors, providing assurance that all donors are treated equitably.

Protecting Minors

The university is committed to promoting the safety and wellbeing of students and others who are entrusted to our care or visit our campuses, especially those who are particularly vulnerable, including patients, volunteer subjects of research, and the children in our daycare and community outreach programs.

Student Health Leave of Absence

USC recognizes that health needs may on occasion interfere with a student’s ability to remain in his/her academic program.

Vehicle/Driver Requirements

This policy covers requirements for the use of university vehicles. USC reserves the right, at its discretion, to prohibit any individual from driving a university vehicle, or to prohibit an employee from driving a personal vehicle for university business.

Tailgating

Tailgating before a football game is part of the rich heritage that makes Trojan Game Day special. This policy provides guidelines to help ensure a safe, family-friendly game day environment, and applies only to USC’s University Park Campus – not the Coliseum or other facilities. However, both tailgating, and open containers, are strictly prohibited at USC Village.