LAX to UPC Shuttle Services for New Students

Written by Director of Public Relations | 12 April 2011
Posted in Advocacy - Advocacy Letters

WHEREAS, the University of Southern California [USC] has the largest international student population among all universities in United States of America, with one in 9 students originating from outside United States;

WHEREAS, according to a recent survey of 405 USC students, a vast majority of those surveyed reflected that there is currently a lack of cost-effective and viable public transport options linking Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and USC;

WHEREAS, based on the survey, more than 50% of the students surveyed reflected that they are unaware of the current tram service offered by USC Transportation, and only 9.7% have made use of the service;

WHEREAS, based on the survey, 91.2% who were surveyed responded that they would like a return tram service, bringing students from LAX to USC during International and New Student Orientations, and bringing students to LAX;

WHEREAS, a tram for students from USC to LAX is available temporarily during winter, thanksgiving, spring and summer breaks, but there is currently no tram service from LAX to USC for new students prior to orientation dates;

WHEREAS, having difficulty transporting to and from LAX is one of the top concerns among international students, as expressed during the International Students Roundtable held on 2/23/2011;

WHEREAS, after consulting with the presidents of the Indian and Chinese Student Organizations on campus—student groups that represent the two largest international student populations at USC, it has been determined that three days of shuttle service prior to orientation dates would greatly benefit new students arriving to LA for the first time;

BE IT RESOLVED, the Senate advocates for the establishment of an LAX pick up service open to all USC students arriving at LAX for three days AUG 5^th, AUG 6^th, AUG 7^th  prior to the graduate student orientation, and prior to the annual new student move-in day. The frequency of the service should be daily shuttles in the morning, afternoon and evening running between LAX and the USC University Park Campus;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Campus Affairs Director of GPSS Ana Lee shall collaborate with Campus Affairs Director of USG Monish Tyagi and with USG Senators Lisa Zhao and Howard Fu to keep this matter as a priority in his advocacy with the USC transportation office;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Campus Affairs Director Ana Lee shall meet with the USC Transportation Office, USC Office of International Services and International Student Orientation regarding the logistics, and provide a report on the status of the LAX shuttle service to the Senate at the last Senate meeting of the Spring 2011 semester, and ensure that the service will be available to USC students by summer vacation of 2011;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the tram schedule information be made available online and communicated to the student body prior to the summer break and throughout the summer break. The information may also be published in orientation materials and on the USC transportation website, to allow students to schedule their flights around the tram schedule;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,that GPSS Director of Campus Affairs will send this resolution to GPSS President, Jenny Novak, USC Transportation Director Tony Mazza, The Office of International Services Student Advisor Becky Peterson and to the USC Orientation Director Tom Studdert.