Programs
The Office for Residential Education provides a wealth of programming within residence
halls, from small, academically themed discussions at Resident Faculty dinners to
campus-wide community-building events such as Player’s Ball.
Each area, North, South, East,
West and Parkside present traditional programs, as well as new programming throughout
the year. Those buildings with Resident Faculty also typically host a weekly dinner,
where world-renowned scholars, artists, and other notable speakers are invited to
campus to give presentations and interact with students. Individual Building, Area,
and Residential College Governments, as well as the
University Residential Student
Community(URSC) which also designs and implements
programming for residents. Some examples of area traditional programs are listed
below. For additional information on programming in your residence hall, contact
your RA.
Traditional Programming
Mardi Gras
The North Area Residential Colleges (New, North, and Birnkrant) host an annual Mardi
Gras celebration on the USC campus. This event is modeled after the New Orleans
tradition of the Mardi Gras Ball. It features casino-style gambling, New Orleans
food, a brass band and DJ-led dance music on a large dance floor. The program offers
the USC community the opportunity to take part in New Orleans cultural tradition.
Admission to the event is free to the USC community and profits from the casino
tables are given to Troy Camp. One of the most exciting aspects of this program
is its ability to bring together Trojans from all areas of campus: residents and
commuters, undergraduates and graduates, students, faculty and staff.
Ed Wood Film Festival
Celebrating independent filmmaking at USC and named for the famous director, the
Ed Wood Film Festival is put on by a committee of Residential Education staff members
at New Residential College, chaired by the Cinema Floor RA's. Teams of students
come together to obtain the year's secret theme in which to write, shoot, and edit
their very own short film within 24 hours. A week later, the films are shown at
USC's Norris Cinema and a panel of judges selects the Festival winners in a variety
of categories.
Snowball
Snowball is a winter semi-formal evening that includes dancing, music and light
refreshments predominately attended by undergraduates, but open to the entire USC
Community. With a live DJ and free giveaways - such as photo snow globes, it has
been a highlight of the year for many USC students. Snowball is not only a fun evening
full of gorgeous decorations and delicious treats, but also an opportunity for students
to mingle and connect with other students from everywhere on campus.
Friday Night Scream
South Area hosts a spooky fun Halloween party including a DJ, costume contest and
raffle. Participants can enjoy themselves at different booths, including mini pumpkin
decorating, fortune-telling with tarot cards, a pie-eating contest, a throw-a-pie-at-an-RA
booth, and others. The event also features a donation collection for toiletries
to be delivered to local shelters.
Spirituality Series
Spirituality Series is a program series designed to highlight and celebrate the
multitude of ways people experience the supernatural or the divine in their daily
lives. The term spirituality is deliberately used to include beliefs and practices
that are not necessarily part of organized religions, but that can relieve stress,
bring peace, and allow individuals to feel a sense of connection to the wider world
and beyond. Some previous programs have included: Do You Believe in Ghosts?, PAMPER
Yourself, Spirituality in Popular Culture, the Meaning of Pretzels, Walking the
Labyrinth, and Yoga/Meditation.
Community Block Party
Block Party is a one day event that brings together many different elements of a
carnival from a series of games and activities to speakers, improv comedy and local
bands.
Gender and Sexuality Week
This week, sponsored by the GRUF area (Graduate, Upperclassman, and Family Housing)
features a variety of programs and speakers all focused on the theme of gender and
sexuality - Programs include keynote speakers like Larry Flynt, faculty guest speakers,
a student drag show and tours to gay clubs.
Players Ball
Players Ball is a philanthropic casino night event designed to help local charities.
Recently, the event raised over $700 for Troy Camp while our students enjoyed a
night of gambling and dancing in a safe, convenient location on campus.
Westside Wellness Week
Wellness Week focuses on healthy eating habits and nutritional models and features
guest speakers and resources from the Health Center. It is amazing how good nutritional
food can taste when you don't have to cook it yourself! Past Wellness Week events
have included a "Free Breakfast" station located in the West Area, massage and relaxation
seminars, and a nutritional planner providing customized diet plans for students.
Cardinal Gardens Diversity Month
An entire month full of diversity programs dealing with issues of race, ethnicity,
gender, sexuality, socioeconomic class, ability, religion, and more! Programs include
guest speakers and lectures, a "Guess Who's Straight" panel, movie screenings, food
tastings, and other great events both large and small. See any CG RA for a complete
calendar of events at the beginning of the semester.
Reel World Series
The Reel World is an immersive cultural experience, transporting our guests to a
new location each time to combine cuisine with entertainment and a strong educational
component. There tends to be some kind of audio-visual aspect, a faculty or student-led
discussion, excellent regional food with a lot of mixing and fun - all focusing
on the country theme for the evening
Project Black Canvas
Students are given blank black canvases and one week in which to express their feelings
and thoughts on a particular theme. The completed artworks, ranging from the sublime
to the hilarious, are unveiled in a gallery reception at Parkside. The pieces are
judged by a panel of Residential Education staff and Residential Faculty. All of
the works are displayed at Parkside.
Persian New Year
One of the events inspired by our resident faculty, Persian New Year (Naw Ruz) at
Parkside brings in members of the Persian community from all over USC and the Los
Angeles area. In addition to educational information for strangers to this festival,
there are a variety of delicacies and dancing for all.
IHOF (International House of Fashion)
The International House of Fashion is one of the most popular events puts on by
the International Residential College's Area Government. Students of all nationalities
strut their stuff down the runway set up in the Parkside Performance Café, showing
off attire from all over the world. Some residents wear their own nation's traditional
garb; others dress in whatever country's couture inspires them. IHOF has generated
so much enthusiasm that they are now put on each semester.