Student Handbook 2019-2020 Welcome to the University of Southern California
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STUDENT HANDBOOK 2019-2020 WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Congratulations on joining one of the most diverse and talented communities of scholars and professionals in the United States. We are delighted to welcome you to the Trojan Family and guide you through all of the opportunities to explore, connect, and succeed at USC. Your journey at USC starts now and we want to do everything we can to make your start with us as pleasant as it can be. The information in this handbook will be useful to you not only in the beginning of your time with us, but also throughout the semester. Please take some time to read through each section. If you have any questions, please ask your teacher or stop by at the Academy office to schedule an appointment with an advisor. Remember, we are here to support YOU, so please let us know if anything is unclear or if you would like more information. Good luck and fight on! USC International Academy • 3415 S. Figueroa Street • Los Angeles, CA 90089-0875 (213) 740-0080 • international.usc.edu • [email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS THE ACADEMY 5 NEW STUDENT CHECKLIST 7 PROGRAM & COURSE OVERVIEW 11 ACADEMY POLICIES 13 ATTENDANCE 15 GRADES & RECOGNITION LEGAL MATTERS 17 STUDENT CONDUCT 18 ACADEMIC INTEGRITY 22 VISA & IMMIGRATION 24 IDENTIFICATION LOS ANGELES LIVING 26 HOUSING 28 ACTIVITIES 31 EXPLORING LOS ANGELES LOCAL INFORMATION 37 SAFETY 50 HEALTH CARE & INSURANCE 52 MONEY & BANKING 54 TRANSPORTATION 56 CAMPUS DINING 58 GENERAL STUDENT SERVICES 60 COUNSELING & MENTAL HEALTH 61 CAMPUS WELLNESS 62 GOOD PLACES TO STUDY 64 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 67 CAMPUS MAP USC International Academy • 3415 S. Figueroa Street • Los Angeles, CA 90089-0875 (213) 740-0080 • international.usc.edu • [email protected] USC HOLIDAYS » 2019 - 2020 USC International Academy offices will be closed on the dates listed below: LABOR DAY Monday, September 2, 2019 THANKSGIVING Thursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29, 2019 CHRISTMAS Wednesday, December 25 WINTER RECESS Thursday, December 26, 2019 - Tuesday, December 31, 2019 NEW YEAR'S DAY Wednesday, January 1, 2020 MARTIN LUTHER KING’S DAY Monday, January 20, 2020 PRESIDENT’S DAY Monday, February 17, 2020 MEMORIAL DAY Monday, May 25, 2020 INDEPENDENCE DAY Friday, July 3, 2020 Please go to the Current Student’s website, iastudents.usc.edu for more information about program breaks, session start dates, and more. NEW STUDENT CHECKLIST NEW STUDENT CHECKLIST Things to Do Things to Attend Things to Turn In (Fill Out & Return) Pay Outstanding Tuition and Housing Fees Program Overview Permanent Record Form • Make sure you have paid tuition and housing fees in full • Learn more about your program and what to expect • Fill out your most recent information and bring the • If you have not paid yet, please go to International Permanent Record form to the Admissions and Academy, office 107B, Finance Team and make a Academic Overview Immigration Advisor’s office at the International payment • Learn more about what you will be studying and what Academy Immigration Document Verification to expect in the classroom Liability Waiver • Passport, I-20, I-94, and visa are required Safety Information Session • Fill out the Liability Waiver and bring it to the Student • Bring documents to the International Academy, office • Learn how to stay safe while studying at USC Services desk at the International Academy building, 107C, Admissions and Immigration International Academy Lobby. Placement Test • Info Session will be held at the International Academy • Pre-Master’s & Master’s Preparation students: Take a Image Release Form building, office 103B, Student Services Placement Test if you did not oficially report your • Fill out the Image Release form and bring it to the English test scores by the deadline. Think About It! Training Session Student Services desk in the DCC lobby • Intensive English Preparation students: Complete the • Learn what is harassment and how to protect yourself Health Documents and others English Placement Exam. • Fill out Health Documents and bring them to the • Training session will be held at the International • If you missed the test during Orientation, go to the International Academy building, office 103C, Academy building, office 103B, Student Services Front Desk. Student Services Health Information Session & Health Documents Focus Skills Selection Focus Skills Selection Form • Learn about the Health Center and what to do in case • Choose your Focus Skills classes based on your level • Fill out the Focus Skills Selection form and bring it to you get sick and interest. the International Academy building, office 200, • Info Session will be held at the International Academy Immunizations Academic Services • Receive your required immunizations at the Englemann building, office 103B, Student Services Student Health Center, office 145, Immunizations Academy Activities USC Email Set-up • Ask about the fun activities happening during the • Get set up on the Blackboard system and check your session at the Student Services desk at the new email. For assistance, go to the International International Academy building, Lobby. Academy building, office 103C, Student Services Immigration Information Session desk • Learn about required rules and regulations for studying IA Conversation Groups Account Set-up as a F-1 student in the United States • This is a great opportunity to learn English outside the • Info Session will be hosted by the Admissions and classroom. Set up your account at the International Immigration Advisor’s office at the International Academy building, office 103C, Student Services Academy desk USC Lyon Center Liability Waiver • To use the student gym and pool, fill the Lyon Center Liability Waiver IMPORTANT USCard - USC ID Card If you attended 2 days of Orientation, you probably completed most of these tasks already! If you have any • Get your school ID at the McCarthy Way Parking questions, ask at the Front Desk. If you arrived late or did not go to Orientation, please make sure you check all Structure, USCard Services Office the boxes and complete each task listed above. Get Your Class Schedule • Find your class schedule in your Student Portal Start Classes - Fight On! USC International Academy international.usc.edu 5 PROGRAM & COURSE OVERVIEW PROGRAM & COURSE OVERVIEW » LEARN ABOUT YOUR PROGRAM AND FUTURE STUDY OPTIONS USC International Academy offers three programs. Below you will find a summary of what each program offers. For more detailed information, please visit our website, international.usc.edu. INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAM Full-time Intensive English Program students at the USC International Academy study in three different classes each week for a total of 20 hours per week. Reading, Writing and Grammar Reading, Writing, and Grammar classes are taught at any academic level. In lower levels, you build reading skills. In intermediate levels, you read stories, articles and authentic texts, write about them, study vocabulary, and discuss the content. In higher levels, the focus is on academic reading and writing. Listening and Speaking Listening and Speaking classes teach students about speaking, listening and pronunciation. At the lower levels, you will gain the confidence in speaking English inside and outside of the classroom. At Undergraduate Admissions Support the higher levels, the focus is on listening, speaking, and note-taking in Students looking to transition into a U.S. college or university are natural and academic contexts, and students practice public speaking uniquely supported with expert admissions advising, test preparation and presentation skills. and Intensive English courses. Focus Skills Courses Optional SAT Preparation Students can choose one Focus Skills course from the choices offered High school graduates who reach Level 5 can choose to enroll in our at each level. Typical focus course options include TOEFL/IELTS Test SAT Preparation course, specifically designed to meet the needs of Preparation, Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Service Learning, and Life in international students, at an additional cost. Los Angeles. Focus Skill course options are subject to change. USC International Academy international.usc.edu 7 PROGRAM & COURSE OVERVIEW continued PRE-MASTER’S PROGRAM Pre-Master’s students have already been accepted to select USC Minimum Entry Requirements master’s programs and take courses to prepare their English and • Bachelor’s Degree academic skills for the rigors of USC graduate coursework. • Cumulative GPA 3.0 • High-intermediate English level In the Pre-Master’s program, you will learn how to read and (depending on your chosen master’s program) critically assess academic texts, communicate effectively in writing and speech, develop a graduate-level vocabulary, and improve your GRE/ Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission GMAT test-taking strategies to help you reach your required score for to any USC degree program. Please check the website for more your degree program. Split into two tracks, courses are tailored to the details. If you have any questions about the Pre-Master’s reading and writing styles of your discipline and will introduce you to Program, please contact: [email protected]. topics and content relevant to your field of study. Academic Tracks MASTER’S PREPARATION PROGRAM • Business, Social Science, and Arts (BSA) Master’s Preparation students have the opportunity to follow • Science, Technology, and Health (STH) the same academic tracks and take the same courses as those offered in the Pre-Master’s Program plus TOEFL or IELTS test Core Courses preparation, Focus Skill Courses and comprehensive academic • Academic English Skills for Graduate Studies advising. • Graduate Communication Skills Minimum Entry Requirements Focus Skills Courses • Bachelor’s Degree Students take two Focus Skills courses every session (seven weeks). • High-intermediate English level Every session, you will receive a Focus Skills class selection form (equivalent to TOEFL iBT 61+ / IELTS 5.5 OR completing where you can indicate your course preferences. Placement is based International Academy IEP Level 4 ) on required courses, availability, and schedule.