Newsletter #21

Hi everyone,

I think it's important to start by acknowledging how remarkably difficult the last 4 weeks have been. We're all grieving and grappling with the loss of our coworkers, colleagues, and our good friends. Despite a woefully deep and disconnected relationship with university leadership over the past few years, the employees of USC remain the lifeblood of the Trojan Family. We're the internal organs keeping this place alive, the skeleton and muscle propping up a head that sometimes seems completely empty, or without conscience. Without us, this place would be lifeless, soulless, organic goop, and it's been that way for a long time. Folks can pretend to ignore this, but it’s the truth.

So seeing the wholesale eliminations, and in certain areas what appear to be broad and indiscriminate cuts, is just devastating. Conversely, I have seen departments and academic units that have handled these layoffs with grace, dignity, and transparency. I know of a few members of the My15atUSC community that were impacted. Staff Assembly lost an Officer, a Committee Chair, and at least one member. The layoffs also included two long time (15+ year) tireless and dedicated former coworkers in Hospitality who were also my good friends. My story pales in comparison to others that I’ve heard.

So it’s been a month of constant gut-punches, often finding out minutes before walking into a meeting or jumping on the next Zoom, when glancing at my phone in between. Learning things via text, or word of mouth. Sometimes immediately after being told by a colleague that “they were safe, but ‘x’ wasn't so fortunate”. While the My15atUSC community has always had a singular purpose- the reinstatement of our TAB benefits based on the terms we were hired under- please know that my heart goes out to those of you directly impacted by layoffs. I'm committed to supporting you in whatever way I can. I can confidently speak for most in this community, and I offer you the same on their behalf. We’re here for you, and you are not alone.

For those of you who are newer to the community, this mission was born the moment USC abruptly removed the protection of our 15-year letters, when it became crystal clear that the university no longer felt obligated to deliver on their promises. I always knew that at any time USC could decide that I am no longer needed. It's the nature of at-will employment. I've been laid off before (2009 Starbucks downsizing), so perhaps this is why I'm a bit more outspoken. While I sincerely love and am grateful for my job and the people I work with, I'm not beholden to this university, nor are they to me. But the moment they suddenly rewrote policy and eliminated an already earned and vested benefit, leaving the future of my wife and children suddenly vulnerable, my loyalty immediately shifted. It shifted to my good friends (and even those I never knew) who had already left after completing their 15 years. It shifted to those who were thinking about a change, after decades of loyal and dutiful service, and we're now suddenly “stuck”. It shifted to those that were retired, banking on the certainty that obligations would be met, and that the favor of their life of sacrifice would be repaid in kind. On that fateful day last August- what now seems like a lifetime ago, yet is still somehow remarkably fresh- they took away the protection that I had worked a decade and a half for. This past month has shown me that my righteous indignation was 100% justified. The future feared has arrived, but the current climate has only solidified my resolve to Fight On.

And so we shall. We are exactly 400 strong.

Table of Contents

• Community Resources

• Surveys and Open Docs

• Places for Feedback

Community Resources

Usually I share some non-TAB community content towards the end of my Newsletters, but I wanted to highlight these given what we’re all going through. While I’ve been very critical of the past administration- and their indifference to our Unifying Values- I previously shared that I’m at least appreciative that we’re seeing the beginnings of Open Communication. I realize that the memos haven’t had the details we all desire, but I think we’re seeing the beginning of a transformation. There’s a commitment not just to talk at us, but to talk with us. I’m an optimist at heart, so I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt. Also, for the first time in a long time, I’m seeing the beginnings of a concerted effort by leadership to resuscitate another Unifying Value, Wellbeing. I understand that many may not yet be in agreement with me just yet, but I want to amplify a few resources available in this area. 

The Office of the Ombuds is an excellent resource for current employees. I found my individual consultation extremely helpful when I was grappling with the benefits cuts and still figuring out how to build this community. I hope you’ll consider taking advantage.

WorkWell Center was an area that I was deeply concerned for when the layoffs were first announced. It’s usually the “soft skill” areas, things that don’t directly generate revenue or directly support students, that are the first to go. They offer a number of services from group walks, to webinars on healthy eating, to counselling and group sessions. For those who have been laid off, they offer an additional 30 days of services after your formal separation date.

Mindful USC offers classes, meditations, and so much more. I could spend hours talking about how much I’ve enjoyed the classes I’ve taken. Check them out. Your future present self looking back at the past will thank the current you.

For those navigating a new reality, I came across two individuals on LinkedIn. one, Matt Nazario-Miller has started “The Higher Education Staff Hope Collective” after being laid off at Stanford. In conversations with a USC staff member who was recently laid off, there aren’t many external support groups to help build community. This appears to be one.

Another person I recently connected with on LinkedIn, Inga Peterson, works at Duke, which is going through something similar to USC. I missed the live presentation, but Inga shared the recording. It’s about an hour, and contains some practical exercises and techniques to help ground your thoughts and move towards a more constructive approach when managing difficult circumstances.

As with all of the resources, they’re a take-it-or leave-it suggestion. It won’t hurt my feelings if you pass. Except Morning, Trojan.  It’s like a daily emailed ice cream sundae with scoops (yes, I just did that), nuts, and laughs. Don’t sleep on that one…

Surveys and Open Docs

We’ve strategically paused our Instagram posts, mostly out of consideration for those impacted. I don’t want our community to appear insensitive to the current environment, or as a group that thinks their cause is larger than the current situation. Layoffs are my focus in the current moment. I strongly believe our opportunity will come when the university rights its financial woes. When that happens, we will be there expecting that they correct this egregious wrong as well.

TAB in Retrospect - This community is about TAB and what it means to you. It’s why most of you are here. We had 14 wonderful responses. I’d love to see us get twice that before we close it down. Please take some time to share your thoughts, especially if you haven’t contributed before.

Thoughts and Questions - This was my failed survey. I called it unusable, but if it gives you an outlet, go ham and let it all out. I’ll close it down after my next Newsletter.

Storytelling / Leads - I’ve threatened to push for Storytelling, it’s coming, but after we get to a better place. You can still put your name on the list now. Leads is a simple contact form for anyone that would like to do more.

Feelings 2.0 (Open Doc) - another place to share any thoughts in an open format. It’s also a place where you can read other’s thoughts.

Places for Feedback

Staff Assembly Survey - Current and recently laid off employees, please share your thoughts with Staff Assembly officially. Your submissions are anonymous, and they are read, discussed, and shared with leadership.

Discord - The group in Discord is slowly but surely growing. As I’ve shared before, I’m not super active there, but others are chatting. It’s a great place for more words from you, and less from me. The emotes are pretty cool too. Here’s the link for the next 7 days: https://discord.gg/mKttzNA2

That’s enough for now. We’re all navigating the uncertainty of life, but know that we (USC employees) are a community of pride, strength, and resilience. We’ve come back before…and when we’re all ready, we will do it again.

Keep in touch, take care, and wishing you the best.

Phil

[email protected]