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Academic Policies

Late policy.

Students will have 4 late days that may be used for project assignments at any point during the semseter. After all late days have been used, no credit will be given for homework submitted late.

Academic conduct.

Plagiarism – presenting someone else’s ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in your own words – is a serious academic offense with serious consequences. Please familiarize yourself with the discussion of plagiarism in SCampus in Part B, Section 11, “Behavior Violating University Standards”. Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable. See additional information in SCampus and university policies on Research and Scholarship Misconduct.

Accommodations.

USC welcomes students with disabilities into all of the University’s educational programs. The Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS) is responsible for the determination of appropriate accommodations for students who encounter disability-related barriers. Once a student has completed the OSAS process (registration, initial appointment, and submitted documentation) and accommodations are determined to be reasonable and appropriate, a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) will be available to generate for each course. The LOA must be given to each course instructor by the student and followed up with a discussion. This should be done as early in the semester as possible as accommodations are not retroactive. More information can be found at osas.usc.edu. You may contact OSAS at (213) 740-0776 or via email at osasfrontdesk@usc.edu.

Student Well-Being

Academic life exposes students to many challenges, both personal and professional, that may affect their capabilities to learn. Some of these can result in increased anxiety, substance use, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. It is encouraged to receive support if you experience such challenges. Your mental health and well-being is not something to be compromised during your academic life. USC offers many resources for support, which I list below:

  • Counseling and Mental Health
    • (213) 740-9355 – 24/7 on call
    • Free and confidential mental health treatment for students, including short-term psychotherapy, group counseling, stress fitness workshops, and crisis intervention.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    • 1 (800) 273-8255 – 24/7 on call
    • Free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Services (RSVP)
    • (213) 740-9355(WELL), press “0” after hours – 24/7 on call
    • Free and confidential therapy services, workshops, and training for situations related to gender-based harm.
  • Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX (EEO-TIX)
    • (213) 740-5086
    • Information about how to get help or help someone affected by harassment or discrimination, rights of protected classes, reporting options, and additional resources for students, faculty, staff, visitors, and applicants.
  • Reporting Incidents of Bias or Harassment
    • (213) 740-5086 or (213) 821-8298
    • Avenue to report incidents of bias, hate crimes, and microaggressions to the Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title for appropriate investigation, supportive measures, and response.
  • The Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS)
    • (213) 740-0776
    • OSAS ensures equal access for students with disabilities through providing academic accommodations and auxiliary aids in accordance with federal laws and university policy.
  • USC Campus Support and Intervention
    • (213) 821-4710
    • Assists students and families in resolving complex personal, financial, and academic issues adversely affecting their success as a student.
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • (213) 740-2101
    • Information on events, programs and training, the Provost’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, Diversity Liaisons for each academic school, chronology, participation, and various resources for students.
  • USC Emergency
    • (213) 740-4321, HSC: (323) 442-1000 – 24/7 on call
    • Emergency assistance and avenue to report a crime. Latest updates regarding safety, including ways in which instruction will be continued if an officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible.
  • USC Department of Public Safety - UPC:
    • (213) 740-6000, HSC: (323) 442-120 – 24/7 on call
    • Non-emergency assistance or information.
  • Office of the Ombuds
    • (213) 821-9556 (UPC) / (323-442-0382 (HSC)
    • A safe and confidential place to share your USC-related issues with a University Ombuds who will work with you to explore options or paths to manage your concern.
  • Occupational Therapy Faculty Practice
    • (323) 442-3340 or otfp@med.usc.edu
    • ​Confidential Lifestyle Redesign services for USC students to support health promoting habits and routines that enhance quality of life and academic performance.