USC Annenberg Media

08/24/2020

One year ago today, Matthew Olson died on the I-110

One year ago today, Matthew Olson was killed by a car after being seen running on the I-110 freeway just two days before starting his freshman year at USC.

After reviewing reports and interviewing Matt's parents, friends and RAs, our reporter remembers the life he lived and reconstructs the night of his death.

One year ago, freshman Matt Olson died after being struck by multiple cars on the I-110 freeway, just minutes away from campus.

08/15/2020

Learning to Teach in a Pandemic

For many students starting school remotely this fall, parents have assumed the role of impromptu teachers, finding new and creative ways to bring instructor's lessons offscreen. But for one incoming middle-schooler with learning disabilities, the best teacher he could ask for lives right across the street.

08/11/2020

“I want her to know that she’s Black, I want her to know that’s she’s African, I want her to be proud of her hair … but I also want them to enjoy their Moana-laced childhoods.”

Rex — a young, single Black father — paints a compelling picture of raising a daughter during COVID-19 while maintaining his passion for activism. Produced by Johnny Dorcil.

06/10/2020

Effective immediately, Annenberg Media will be updating its style guide to capitalize the “b” in Black when referring to one’s race. We’re making this change as Black does not simply denote one’s skin color, but the shared culture and race that those who consider themselves Black identify with. We believe it deserves that same typographical treatment as Latino, Asian, etc.

06/03/2020

Please read Annenberg Media's statement in response to the unlawful death of George Floyd and the current protests around the country:

05/28/2020

Poynter announces the 10 student media publications selected for its 2020-21 College Media Project - Poynter

An exciting announcement:

Annenberg Media has been selected as one of the 10 student media organizations partnering with Poytner's College Media Project for 2020-2021! We will receive $1,500 grant that will be used to establish an investigative team in our newsroom.

https://www.poynter.org/from-the-institute/2020/poynter-announces-the-10-student-media-publications-selected-for-its-2020-21-college-media-project/

From person-to-person coaching and intensive hands-on seminars to interactive online courses and media reporting, Poynter helps journalists sharpen skills and elevate storytelling throughout their careers.

05/14/2020

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, USC raises tuition by 3.5% to $59,260 for 2020-21 school year

Undergraduate tuition at USC for the 2020-21 academic year will be $59,260, a 3.5% ($2,004) increase from the previous year, Annenberg Media learned and confirmed with the university.

Undergraduate tuition at USC for the 2020-21 academic year will be $59,260, a 3.5% ($2,004) increase from the previous year, Annenberg Media learned and confirmed with the university.

05/06/2020

USC Annenberg professor to lead BuzzFeed News as new editor-in-chief

Mark Schoofs an Annenberg professor, will be the new editor-in-chief, BuzzFeed News announced Tuesday morning.

Schoofs will continue serving on the faculty at USC Annenberg to build a collaboration between the publication and the school.

In an exclusive interview with Annenberg Media, Schoofs shared his plans for BuzzFeed News and its collaboration with the Annenberg school.

Mark Schoofs, a visiting professor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, will be the new editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News, BuzzFeed Founder and CEO Jonah Peretti announced Tuesday. In an exclusive interview with Annenberg Media, Mark Schoofs shared his plans for BuzzFeed News...

05/04/2020

USC Chinese community donates hundreds of thousands of PPE to USC Keck Medicine

As of April 27, at least 330 USC Chinese parents donated more than 150,000 disposable gloves, 100,000 isolation masks, 4,000 N95 respirators, 870 surgical masks, 450 coveralls and other PPEs to Keck Medicine of USC.

After learning that USC Keck Medicine is in need of PPE like surgical masks, N95 respirator and protective gowns, parents acted quickly. As of April 27, more than 330 Chinese parents donated more than 150,000 disposable gloves, 100,000 isolation masks, 4,000 N95 respirators, 870 surgical masks, 450....

05/02/2020

USC appoints interim head of university fundraising

USC names Tracey Vranich as interim senior vice president for university advancement while Albert Checcio, who led the university’s fundraising for 10 years, becomes an advisor to the president.

USC names Tracey Vranich as interim senior vice president for university advancement while Albert Checcio, who led the university’s fundraising for 10 years, becomes an advisor to the president.

04/30/2020

Southern California school districts continue to feed and support students during COVID-19

The Los Angeles Unified School District offers nutritious meals to all students who need them during the temporary closure of schools.

There are 63 grab and go locations spread throughout the county and each child is able to take home two meals. Read more below.

Many school districts throughout Southern California are offering free meal distribution services to students during COVID-19.Food banks have held drive-thru grocery services to support those who have been financially affected by the virus and are experiencing food insecurity, including members of t...

04/29/2020

USC to test hundreds of students for COVID-19 antibody

USC Student Health is conducting a study to estimate the percent of students that have developed COVID-19 antibodies.

About 500 to 800 students who live on or near campus will receive an email invitation to participate in an antibody test.

USC Chief Health Officer Sarah Van Orman said the study may help the university to prepare for the physical re-opening of the university campus.

USC Student Health is conducting a study to estimate the percent of students that have developed COVID-19 antibodies, Chief Health Officer Sarah Van Orman announced in an email Wednesday to USC senior vice presidents, deans and student government.

04/29/2020

Some Orange County beaches remain open after drawing crowds

Tens of thousands visited Orange County beaches over the weekend after the Newport Beach City Council voted to reject a proposal to shut down the city’s beaches for the next three weekends.

After tens of thousands of Southern Californians flocked to beaches last weekend across Orange County, the Newport Beach City Council voted Tuesday to reject a proposal to shut down the city’s beaches for the next three weekends, according to the official website of the city of Newport Beach.

04/27/2020

USC Galen solar project continues amid shutdowns

The Galen Center’s solar project continues during the pandemic since construction has been deemed an essential business in LA. With social distancing guidelines in affect, elevator rides are limited to 2 people and workers must stay 6 feet apart.

Construction workers are putting the finishing touches on one of USC’s largest sustainability projects to date, despite the coronavirus pandemic. The Galen Athletic Center’s 50,000 square-foot solar field is a significant step forward for the university’s environmental efforts.

04/24/2020

Summer orientation moves online

As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, on-campus summer orientation is canceled. Students will use online tools like Zoom and Blackboard for registration, student services and communication with orientation advisers.

The Offices of Orientation are working to coordinate a virtual orientation.

04/24/2020

Online classes present unique challenge for STEM students

The transition from in-person to online classes has come with a learning curve, but for students and faculty reliant on hands-on science lectures and labs, the process is all the more complicated.

USC students and professors weigh in on what they are missing and gaining from the transition from in-person to online labs.

04/23/2020

Swipe to find the perfect match, but educational

TutorTies, an app launching in fall 2020, will help individuals swipe left or right on tutors and students.

Tutors and students will both be from the same university, often having completed the same course and assignments. The founder and current USC Marshall School of Business student, Kyle Adomian, stressed this to be an integral part of the company’s mission.

USC student Kyle Adomian plans to launch his peer-tutoring mobile app, TutorTies, by September.

04/23/2020

Folt, USC professors discuss sustainability on Earth Day

University of Southern California President Carol Folt and other faculty discussed challenges and solutions for sustainability to mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

Seeing how stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic have positively affected the environment, experts believe behavioral changes are a possible solution to combat climate change.

President Folt and three USC professors discussed sustainability on campus and around the globe in an online event on Earth Day.

04/23/2020

A 3.7-magnitude earthquake shakes South Los Angeles and surrounding areas

South L.A. was shaken out of its slumber early Wednesday morning when a 3.7-magnitude earthquake hit the View Park-Windsor Hills area, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The earthquake, originally recorded as a 3.8, hit 4 miles from the USC University Park Campus at 12:03 a.m. It had a depth of 7.2 miles, according to USGS.

Residents felt the tremor in Inglewood, Orange County, and San Fernando, USGS reports.

04/23/2020

New guidance from Education Department excludes DACA, international students from COVID-19 federal emergency grants

Only students who are eligible for federal financial aids can apply for the federal COVID-19 relief grants, according to a new guidance the U.S. Department of Education issued Tuesday.

Previously, USC stated that all currently enrolled undergraduate students and graduate students, including international students, are eligible to apply for this fund.

Now, USC is revising its policy on who is eligible for receiving the fund.

USC is now revising its answer to who is eligible for applying the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund after the Department of Education issued new measures, specifying that funds may only be granted to students who are eligible for federal financial aid.

04/22/2020

USC extends deadline for Progressive Degree Program application for graduating seniors due to COVID-19 disruption

USC has extended the application period for Progressive Degree Programs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Graduating seniors now have until July 1 to complete the application.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, USC has extended the application period for Progressive Degree Programs for students graduating this summer and spring. Graduating seniors who are normally required to apply for the programs in their junior year and start in senior year now have until July 1 to....

04/22/2020

Southern California tech nonprofit is 3D-printing face shields — while they still can

Ted Vegvari has been using his fleet of 3D printers to produce over 1,200 face shields for those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between rent and overhead expenses, his operation is at risk and might not make it to the end of the month.

For the past three weeks, Ted Vegvari has been using his fleet of 3D printers to produce over 1,200 face shields for those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

04/22/2020

10 shows for musical fans to watch during quarantine

For all the musical fans missing the excitement of the theatre, we’ve got you covered with a list of shows to quench your thirst available for steaming across platforms.

Since the outbreak of coronavirus, one of the staples of American entertainment, the Broadway musical, has been shut down. Even though there are cast albums to listen to, it isn’t the same as watching an amazing spectacle. Never fear, though! I have a list of recommendations, all available to stre...

04/21/2020

Tune In Tuesdays: Country Edition

This week on Tune In Tuesdays our reporters take a deep dive into country music news and interview the up-and-coming country music artist Kailey Nicole.
https://youtu.be/9IAZh8fXUxQ

Keith and Amber break down the latest music news, introduce a new segment and hear from Country singer: Kailey Nicole.

04/21/2020

A race against the clock: foreign-born workers struggle to find new jobs amid COVID-19 layoffs

A tidal wave of furloughs and layoffs in the wake if COVID-19 have put foreign-born workers on tight deadlines to find new jobs or risk being forced out of the country.

Immigrants on work visas face the hard choice of finding employment or arranging for deportation.

04/21/2020

Academic FAQs for Students - COVID-19 Resource Center

A friendly reminder to USC students:

The deadline to switch their course grading option from Pass/No Pass to Letter grade is April 24.

USC recommends students to keep their courses with the letter grade option through the end of the semester because they can switch them back to P/NP in May after the grades are released.

After April 25, students still have the option to change courses to either Pass/No Pass or No Record when final grades are released. However, any course in your account with Pass/No Pass option cannot be reverted back to Letter grade.

Source 👇

Academic Calendar Dates: Classes that Run from Jan. 13-May 13, 2020 EVENT NORMAL CALENDAR UPDATED CALENDAR Deadline to select a Pass/No Pass Grade or No Record (only available in spring 2020) January 31 May 27 Last day to drop a class with a mark of ‘W’ April 10 May 1 Spring semester classes end...

04/21/2020

LAUSD incurs $200 million emergency expenses

LAUSD will face an estimated $200 million in additional costs due to the coronavirus. Some of the costs include training educators to teach virtually, distributing digital devices to students, providing meals and safety equipment to children and families and additional investments in summer school.

LAUSD incurs $200 million emergency expenses

04/17/2020

Chief Health Officer: USC dining hall employee who tested positive for COVID-19 did not contract at workplace

USC Chief Health Officer Sarah Van Orman said the EVK dining hall employee who tested positive for COVID-19 did not contract the virus at the workplace.

USC sent out an email Monday to Everybody’s Kitchen’s customers notifying a confirmed case of COVID-19 from an employee who worked in the community kitchen. The university’s health official said the person did not contract the virus at the workplace.

04/16/2020

Viterbi researchers build robot to fight coronavirus

A research team at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering have updated a three-year old robot to disinfect surfaces infected with COVID-19 using UV light.

Researchers at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering have built a robot that used UV light to disinfect surfaces with the coronavirus.

04/16/2020

Getting dry eyes from too much screen time? Here’s what you should do

“I think I’m spending my whole day on screens, except for mealtime. That’s about 12 hours,” said Penny Zhang, a first-year graduate student majoring in Digital Social Media.

As some students are finding, staring at a screen for extended periods of time can have consequences.

Students are experiencing more screen time than usual as online classes continue. What can we do to help our straining eyes?

04/16/2020

Root Source: Flatten the curve

In the era of COVID-19, the “curve” refers to the projected number of people who contract the virus over time. This curve can take on different shapes depending on the virus’s infection rate.

Learn more here.

In the era of Covid 19, the “curve” refers to the projected number of people who contract the virus over time. This curve can take on different shapes depending on the virus’s infection rate. For example, if the virus spreads rapidly and the number of cases skyrocket in a short amount of time,...

04/15/2020

USC athletes get creative to stay in shape at home

USC athletes are not letting the COVID-19 pandemic affect their fitness.

From lifting cases of water to pushing cars, athletes from USC are thinking outside the box — or rather, outside the weight room — to stay on top of their training.

04/15/2020

USC to distribute at least $9.6 million federal emergency grants to students financially impacted by COVID-19

As part of the CARES Act, USC will be receiving $19.2 million relief funds from the U.S. Department of Education.

At least half of the grants need to be distributed directly to students who are financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

USC will be receiving funds from the U.S. Department of Education to provide emergency financial aid grants for students affected by the pandemic, the Dean of Financial Aid Thomas McWhorter announced in an email to academic deans and enrollment council Monday.