We write to update the parents in our community on the Los Angeles Unified School District teachers’ strike, and relatedly, on the evolution of our own childcare services. Being a parent at this time is even more challenging than usual, so we’re writing to let you know how USC is working to support you.
First, we want to emphasize that the university encourages all schools and departments to exercise flexibility in meeting employee needs during the LAUSD strike. The university supports the use of short-term flexible scheduling or remote work arrangements for affected employees, or the use of accrued vacation time if the employee chooses. We are seeking input from the Academic Senate and the Staff Assembly on what we might put in place to help our parents should there be a protracted work stoppage at LAUSD.
If you have children in the Los Angeles school district and you believe USC is not supporting you as well as we could, please contact the HR Service Center at uschr@usc.edu or (213) 821-8100.
Second, we would like to note that over the past few months we have been reviewing our child care benefits in light of discussions with parents who have shared concerns about accessibility, cost, and flexibility in arranging for occasional care. We have researched programs and practices of our peer institutions, and in the coming weeks we will be working with parents to review our options and discuss the ways to best meet your needs. We know how important high-quality, accessible, and affordable child care is to our employees, and we look forward to sharing more information with you.
David Wright
Interim Senior Vice President, Administration
Michael W. Quick
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs