University of Southern CaliforniaDiversity Summary

Written by BJ Grip

BJ Grip

Hometown

Colorado Springs, CO

Major

Theater

View all previous student authors

Ever since President Sample began his effort to build on academics and enrich the overall environment at USC, the school has become more diverse with each incoming class. Students of all ethnic backgrounds, races, genders, sexual preferences, and disabilities are well represented at USC. The Greek system is not nearly as diverse as the student body, but several efforts are being made to get minority students interested in Greek life, which has become more and more concentrated to the Row as general academic standards have risen. Students entering USC as freshmen are less inclined to party and study more often in the libraries than their predecessors five years ago.

With regards to gay tolerance, while surface-level tolerance is very high, there are still times during the year when the GLBTA banners on lampposts are stolen. Whether this is due to fraternity pranks or subculture intolerance, no one is sure. Many new students who identify with a specific group, minority or not, tend to open up to the rest of the student body as they get involved in campus activities. This process usually takes some time, but once students discover what USC has to offer, group integration is inevitable.