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USC files layoff notices for 38 positions across seven Los Angeles sites

USC files layoff notices for 38 positions across seven Los Angeles sites

Money Moves Los Angeles, CA local

The Sept. 9 filings cover 38 positions across seven addresses. A separate Viterbi School notice adds 65 technology jobs.

7 days ago: Scheduled layoff date for September notices

Overview

Updated Sep 16

USC filed seven state layoff notices on Sept. 9 covering 38 positions across Los Angeles, with cuts dated Nov. 4. The largest covers 21 positions at 3649 McClintock Ave. The other 17 are spread across six addresses.

A separate notice filed Sept. 1 covers 65 information-technology jobs at the Viterbi School of Engineering, which cited budget cuts. Those layoffs are scheduled from Nov. 4 to Dec. 3. The September filings total 103 positions, after a November 2025 notice for 60.

Why it matters

More than 100 USC staff face job cuts this fall, a test of how budget pressure reaches large private universities.

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Key Indicators

103
Positions in September 2026 notices
38 across seven Los Angeles sites plus 65 at the Viterbi School of Engineering.
65
Viterbi IT positions
Notice filed Sept. 1; layoffs scheduled Nov. 4 to Dec. 3.
Nov 4, 2026
First scheduled layoff date
Effective date for the 38 Sept. 9 notices; Viterbi cuts run through Dec. 3.

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People Involved

Carol Folt
Carol Folt
President, University of Southern California
In office; USC filed notices for 103 positions in September 2026

Organizations Involved

University of Southern California
University of Southern California
Private Research University
Filed notices for 103 positions in September 2026

Private research university in Los Angeles, one of the city's largest employers.
California Employment Development Department
California Employment Development Department
State agency
Maintains WARN layoff notices

State agency that collects and publishes layoff notices under California's WARN law.

Timeline

November 2025 November 2026

5 events Latest: 7 days ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Scheduled layoff date for September notices

    Latest Regulatory Filing

    Scheduled start date for the 38 positions in USC's Sept. 9 notices. The Viterbi School's 65 layoffs run from Nov. 4 to Dec. 3.

  2. USC files seven layoff notices

    Regulatory Filing

    USC files seven WARN notices covering 38 positions, layoffs dated Nov 4.

  3. USC files notice for 65 Viterbi IT jobs

    Regulatory Filing

    USC's Viterbi School of Engineering filed a WARN notice covering 65 information-technology workers, citing budget cuts. Layoffs are scheduled from Nov. 4 to Dec. 3.

  4. Effective date of 60-position layoff

    Regulatory Filing

    Effective date of USC's 60-position layoff notice.

  5. USC files 60-position layoff notice

    Regulatory Filing

    USC files WARN notice covering 60 positions at Los Angeles campus.

Scenarios

1

Nov 4 layoff proceeds as filed

Likely Resolves by Dec 15, 2026

Discussed by: The notice itself declares the employer's intent; layoffs of this size rarely change

USC's Sept. 9 notices cover 38 positions with a Nov. 4 effective date. The Viterbi School's 65 layoffs are scheduled from Nov. 4 to Dec. 3. No public filing challenges the notices, and WARN filings of this size usually carry through.

2

Layoff notice rescinded, worker retained

Unlikely Resolves by Dec 15, 2026

Discussed by: Uncommon for small filings; employers sometimes withdraw notices after reassignment

USC could withdraw a notice if workers transfer to other roles or budget lines recover. No indicator points this way, but it happens with WARN filings.

3

USC files more layoff notices

Possible Resolves by Sep 9, 2027

Discussed by: Pattern of two filings in 11 months points to continued staff cuts

USC's November 2025 notice covered 60 positions. The September 2026 filings covered 103, including 65 at Viterbi. If budget pressure continues, more WARN notices would appear on the EDD list within the next year.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

March-June 2020

Pandemic-era university layoffs (2020)

When COVID-19 hit, U.S. universities cut thousands of staff and froze hiring as enrollment uncertainty spiked. Many workers lost health coverage along with paychecks.

Then

Campuses shed jobs in dining, housing, and administration; federal aid later softened the blow.

Now

Linked university staffing to enrollment and budget cycles, setting a pattern for later cuts.

Why this matters now

Shows how university layoffs cluster — one notice often precedes others.

August 2023

West Virginia University staff cuts (2023)

Facing a $45 million deficit, WVU proposed cutting 32 programs and laying off more than 140 faculty and staff.

Then

Faculty organized against the cuts; the board scaled some back, but many positions ended anyway.

Now

Became the national example of university budget stress converting into layoffs.

Why this matters now

USC's filings are smaller but follow the same logic of budget pressure driving staff reductions.

January 2003

California WARN law (2003)

California's Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act took effect, requiring 60 days' notice for layoffs of 50 or more employees in a 30-day period.

Then

Employers began filing notices with EDD, creating a public record of planned job cuts.

Now

The notice list became a tracking tool for regional job losses.

Why this matters now

Explains why USC files — and why a one-person notice appears even below legal thresholds; such filings are voluntary.

Sources

(3)
California Employment Development Department Pill Pals Pharmacy Team Pasadena Star-News