General Education

For the past decade, there’s been a quiet but growing advocate of mental health resources at USC: The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. The center provides a series of programs promoting wellness and spiritual well-being. Reporters Simran Sandhu and Nayeli Ayala take a look at two of these programs, and Sean has an in-depth discussion with Dean of Religious Life Varun Soni about why the Office of Religious Life has taken on this unexpected role. Music by Joakim Karud.

In advance of this week's rivalry game against UCLA, sports editors Amanda Sturges and Nathan Ackerman sit down with Daily Bruin sports editor Sam Connon to talk UCLA's prospects against USC. You can read the Daily Trojan's special collaborative issue with the Daily Bruin on Friday on newsstands and dailytrojan.com. Music by Joakim Karud.

There have been nine student deaths in less than three months at USC, three of which have been confirmed by the university administration as suicides. Sean is joined by associate managing editor Natalie Bettendorf, who covered the story for Daily Trojan, as they discuss what the string of deaths mean for the university and students dealing with similar problems. Music by Joakim Karud.

Editor's Note: The podcast refers to eight deaths. Since the recording of this podcast, there has been an additional confirmed death.

College tuition costs get talked about frequently. But low-income students have another concern that’s not always visible, but that's a more immediate threat — paying for a place to live. Now, business administration student Esther Cha and public policy student Abigail Leung are opening Trojan Shelter, a homeless shelter for students, by students. Music by Joakim Karud.

This week we’re taking a look at two artistic event series on campus: "Jazz Nights" in the Thornton School of Music and "Roski Talks" in … Roski School of Art and Design. Host Sean Flannelly speaks with professor of critical studies and director of the masters curatorial program Karen Moss, while Daily Trojan's Simran Sandhu reports on the ongoing music performance series. Music by Joakim Karud.

Fresh off the university's new fall break, we're back to talk about mental health on campus. A student-led mental health awareness vigil took place Monday night, with speeches from Dean of Religious Life Varun Soni assistant director of outreach and prevention services Kelly Greco. Music by Joakim Karud.

What should we make of yet another party app marketed to USC students? And what will the newly christened Iovine and Young Hall mean for students of the prestigious, and often secluded school, as well as students outside it? Podcast staffers Nayeli Ayala, Shreya Gopala and Leslie Hwang report. Music by Joakim Karud.

How should USC handle a student group that other student groups say promotes hate speech? Nearly 30 students silently walked out of an event last Thursday featuring Michael Knowles, a far-right commentator and author. The talk was hosted by conservative student group Young Americans for Freedom. Protestors called on USC to revoke YAF's status as a student organization. Music by Joakim Karud

USC celebrated the inauguration of its 12th president last Friday, after multiple scandals rocked the University and prompted the resignation of former president Max Nikias. Music by Joakim Karud.