Newsletter #16

Hi Everyone,

Well, if I’ve learned anything in the few past weeks, it’s that you’re really interested in USC’s financial data, and also my poetry. Those two links were the most interacted with in all of the newsletters (aside from some of our very early surveys). So, I promise not to disappoint. I’m going to you at least 75% of half of what you want in Newsletter #16! On the flip side, I got absolutely ZERO responses on my “Leads” survey. 😢 Someone must have told all of you just how much I like to delegate…😂

I was, however, encouraged by your texts, calls, and email responses to the published 990 article. I was grateful to speak and meet with a few of you since then. Just being connected with folks who are similarly impacted gives me some hope. I hope you’ll continue to find some hope in these newsletters, and that you’ll stay engaged with me on this. The plan is to continue to keep this visible long term, and make sure it’s presented to future administrations.

This one is gonna be light on stuff from me and heavier on stuff for you to do, with some really cool stuff done by others sprinkled in at the end.

As of today, we are 318 strong. Here’s what’s inside.

Table of Contents

• Data, Open Surveys, and Docs

• Discord

• Other Thought Provoking Stuff

Data, Open Surveys, and Docs

Re-Engagement Survey (Closed) - Hopefully you saw the final data from our Re-Engagement Survey. Here’s a quick snapshot from one of the questions. It probably didn’t help that most of you completed the survey after the “Update on USC’s Financial Planning and Resilience Efforts”. Sadly, I’m a “Yes” on this one, too. But I’m doing a bit better now…

Culture Values - Alignment Survey (Last Call) - Final chance to weigh in on where you feel leadership stands today on our Unifying Values when compared to the community-wide survey responses in 2024. So far we’ve got 28 responses. I promise there’s only one open-ended “anything else” long form question from me. Other than that, it’s a quick 5-minute Values survey.

Leads Survey (Open and Lonely) - This might be the saddest thing that ever was. Zero responses. I promise I don’t ask for your social security number, and you don’t have to shield me from gunfire. It’s not a pyramid scheme, and you don’t have to send anything to five family members or else you’re cursed. I just want folks who are interested in helping and strategizing on this effort over the long term. If you’re able or interested in contributing in any way, please let me know.

Storytelling Survey (Re-Opened) - While it seems like everyone is ok with me standing at the front for now- which is fine- I can’t tell your stories without you. I’m re-opening our Storytelling survey with the hopes that some of you will come forward. This survey doesn’t ask for the full the details of your story, just your willingness to share. It’s only 5 questions, and I just need your email or contact info at the end of the survey. Please also remember that the My15atUSC effort is also intended for those who have already utilized TAB for their kids.

Feelings V2.0 (Open Doc) - Feelings V2.0 will stay open until further notice. Anything longer form that you’d like to share, feel free!

Discord

Here’s a link to our Discord server (good for the next 7 days). It’s still silent over there (intentionally), but we have 11 brave members. I’m going to finalize the build out over the next few weeks, and hopefully start some light posting. Maybe I’ll provide some Office Hours for me to help you with your My15atUSC homework, and perhaps an open mic poetry night or something…you won’t know if you don’t join us.

Other Thought Provoking Stuff

Walter Wolf Award Recipient, 2025

Through this effort, I’ve had the privilege of meeting folks that I wouldn’t have otherwise. I’m extremely grateful for that. One of those connections came through a colleague from my Department who connected me with the current president of USC’s AAUP Chapter. I’ve shared some of their links in previous newsletters.

Through this connection, I came across a copy of an acceptance speech that was emailed by the 2025 Walter Wolf Award recipient, Professor Howard A. Rodman (School of Cinematic Arts). The Walter Wolf Award is given by the USC Academic Senate “For Defense of Academic Freedom and Faculty Rights”. The speech resonated so deeply with me that I asked Howard if I could share it here. I’m pleased to say that I received permission to do so.

I really hope you’ll take time to read through his acceptance speech. It has a number of important callouts, some cool pictures, it captures the spirit of the moment, and it encourages us to Fight On!

USC’s Historical 990 Data

But wait, there’s more! At USC, there’s always more…

Last week’s release of USC’s 990 was revealing, especially for me. You know, until now I haven’t ever felt the need to comb through USC’s public financial records. Perhaps that was because, until now, they haven’t messed with my family’s future. But here we are, learning about their home loans.

Fortunately, there’s a data guru who looked through not only the most recent 990, but pulled data from the PAST 10! Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are 4 graphs that will make you wonder why our children are paying the price for USC’s frivolous spending habits. And this is just the stuff they have to report publicly…

Here’s a quick look that highlights what I mentioned in the last email.

Special thanks and credit goes to Craig Stubing, who compiled the data from USC‘s public 990 tax returns.

As a final thought, I’ll leave it with a quote from the acceptance speech posted above.

“Those whose neglect or malfeasance contributed to the current structural deficit have declined to share in the collective sacrifice. When the bill for what they did came due, it was presented to us, not to them.”

This is something I committed to reminding them about, over and over, until we receive what we are due, and what we’ve already earned. I hope you’ll stay with me on this.

As always, reach out at any time.

Phil