The USC Division of Student Affairs kicked off an awareness campaign today to promote caring and inclusivity at USC and connect students to support services and programs available to them.

“This is about creating a culture of caring for our entire campus,” said Lynette Merriman, assistant vice provost for student affairs. “And we want student to know what we have here to support them.”

Students pose with a #TogetherUSC sign reading “A caring campus starts with me.” (USC Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Staff from cultural and student support centers spent the afternoon in Hahn Plaza talking to students about resources like USC’s Bias Reporting and Response process, which allows students to anonymously report bias incidents, and Trojans Care for Trojans, through which students can request support for a fellow Trojan in crisis.

Hashtag of support

Students were invited to take photos demonstrating their support for the values of diversity, inclusion and caring in the campus community under the hashtag #TogetherUSC.

“I believe inclusion and diversity are important to USC, and that all students have the support they need to succeed and thrive,” senior Jennifer Kuan said.

Freshman Hima Rajana stopped on her way to class to show her support for the campaign’s message. “It’s important in an education environment that everyone is comfortable being who they are, and that’s only possible if everyone cares for one another,” she said.

Outreach and programming

The Division of Student Affairs will continue outreach and programming throughout the academic year to engage students around those issues and teach them how they can advocate for themselves and others and how to respond when problems arise.

The division is also planning a number of guided discussions to facilitate the cultural sensitivity and connection among students from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences.

“I hope students gain an understanding that there are tools out there to help support them,” said Jonathan Wang, interim director for Asian Pacific American Student Services (APASS). “This is just one step in addressing issues of inclusivity on our campus.”

Along with APASS, Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs, Center for Women and Men, El Centro Chicano, LGBT Resource Center, Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards, and Disability Services and Programs are leading the effort.

More stories about: Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Student Life, Students