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USC kicked off what is sure to be an unordinary academic year this morning with a YouTube convocation for incoming students.
The welcome ceremony comes one day after USC announced all fall classes would be online.
USC President Carol Folt assured new students "the day will come" when campus life will return:
"I know the pandemic looms large right now, but it won't define you or your USC experience, and it sure won't hold you back, because our entire university is focused squarely on your future."
Even with classes held online, tuition remains the same; it will costs students without financial aid a cool $59,260 for the year (which doesn't include housing and food costs – dorms are closed).
In a letter to students yesterday, university administrators wrote that as soon as public health regulations allow, they "will be ready to pivot quickly to select in-person and hybrid instruction and other on-campus activities."
Recently, 45 new coronavirus cases were reported at USC's fraternity row, along with a smaller outbreak among other students. The suspected source of the outbreak was a 4th of July frat party.
Classes start on August 17.
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