Free classes for staff should not have been cut Editorial Free classes for staff should not have been cut USC prides itself on its diversified student body. The university's decision no longer to fund personal interest classes for staffers will harm both the university's ability to recruit bright employees and the morale of the current Trojan Family.
Many employees are upset at the change.
Under the new system, the university will only compensate classes if the employee is pursuing a degree or a supervisor deems the class work-related. Employees say that having the option to take a class for personal interest helps them feel more a part of the university. Taking classes with students helps staff members to relate to them and, consequently, creates a tighter-knit community. Last year, only about three percent of employees took advantage of the option to take classes for personal interest. Administrators said that part of the reason they cut this out was because participation was so low.