Supportive measures are non-disciplinary, non-punitive, individualized support services available to students, staff, and faculty who believe they may have currently (or in the past) experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation related to one or more protected characteristics (defined in the Notice of Non-Discrimination). Supportive measures are designed to (a) address the physical safety and emotional well-being of USC community members as we restore or preserve equal access to the university’s programs, services, and activities (including employment and education) without unreasonably burdening the other party, or (b)deter discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
Who Can Access Supportive Measures
Supportive measures are available for:
- Respondents (the individual who is reported to have committed prohibited conduct)
- Reporting parties (the individual reported to have experienced prohibited conduct)
- Witnesses
- Other members of the USC community
How to Access Supportive Measures
Supportive measures are appropriate, reasonably available, and free of charge to community members at any point after a report is made and falls under the Policy (refer to What to Expect After Making a Report), as well as throughout any ensuing resolution process.
Making a report is not the same as making a Formal Complaint and does not necessarily lead to an investigation. Students, staff, and/or faculty may decide to only access supportive measures and not proceed with a Formal Complaint. OCRC will seek to honor a person’s preferred course of action whenever possible.
Examples of Supportive Measures
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of supportive measures because they are based on individuals’ unique needs and circumstances.
- Access to counseling (i.e., CARE-SC, Counseling and Mental Health, the USC WorkWell Center)
- Mutual Avoidance of Contact (AOC) directive (a non-punitive, non-disciplinary administrative measure designed to minimize conflict)
- Academic accommodations (e.g., extension of deadlines, rescheduling of exams, excused absences, leave of absence)
- Housing or parking accommodations
- Workplace modifications (for student employees)
- Schedule modifications
- Other reasonably available supportive measures
- Connection to counseling through the USC WorkWell Center
- Mutual Avoidance of Contact (AOC) directive (a non-punitive, non-disciplinary administrative measure designed to minimize conflict)
- Parking accommodations
- Workplace modifications (for student employees)
- Work schedule modifications
- Department of Public Safety escort services
- Other reasonably available supportive measures