Exploring Free Events at USC
By: Claire Wong ‘23
Yes, that’s right! Free!! With the costly tuition we are paying, we want to get as much as possible from our experience at USC. One of the neat opportunities USC offers is access to free events to its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. From Robert Downey Jr.’s Q&A panel to the Black Alumni Association Career Chat, there are hundreds of opportunities on campus to hear cool speakers, network with the top companies, get free food, or even watch a movie before it is released to theaters. But with the thousands of organizations and clubs on campus, it can be difficult to hear about these events. Here are ways you, as a USC student, can find and take advantage of the free events of campus.
1. Facebook
This is the best way to find out more about events occurring on campus! Facebook is where most organizations on campus post their events. Simply search and follow an organization’s page to keep up-to-date on free events. Check out their “Events” tab for future events scheduled throughout the entire semester. Regardless of your major or interests, Facebook is guaranteed to have resources available for you. Here are some of the organizations on campus that hold many free events for all students during the semester:
Undergraduate Student Government (USG)
Asian Pacific American Student Assembly (APASA)
Queer and Ally Student Assembly (QUASA)
Student Assembly for Gender Empowerment (SAGE)
International Student Assembly (ISA)
Spark SC
2. School of Cinematic Arts (SCA)
As the best film school in the nation, USC has many connections with successful cinematic artists. SCA has the opportunity to offer free movie screenings — sometimes screened to USC before they are released in theaters — on campus to all students, faculty, staff, and alumni. There have been dozens of films from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to It 2 to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang already screened this semester.
You do not have to be studying at the School of Cinematic Arts to take advantage of these free opportunities! Check out https://cinema.usc.edu/events/index.cfm to see the schedule of free screenings and to RSVP your seat.
3. Annenberg
The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism is home to news, politics, movies, and more. Annenberg hosts many famous politicians, speakers, and artists through their alumni network and organizations within the school. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni have had the opportunity last semester to see a pre-release screening of Charlie’s Angels, hear from the Cambridge Analytica Whistleblower, watch the Democratic Debates live on Annenberg’s three-story tall screen, and more.
You do not have to be studying at Annenberg to take advantage of these free opportunities! Check out https://annenberg.usc.edu/events to see the schedule of free events and to RSVP your spot.
4. Visions and Voices
Visions and Voices is an arts and humanities initiative that encourages students across the entire university to engage creatively. Visions and Voices hosts free performances, speakers, and workshops every month. These events are free to all students, faculty, staff and alumni!
Check out http://visionsandvoices.usc.edu/allevents/ to view the scheduled events and to RSVP your seat!
5. Local USC Moms and Dads On Call
In response to the recent deaths at the university, local Socal parents created a group to support students in times of need when their own parents are not immediately available. These on-call parents are not medical or mental health professionals, but rather an older, parent-like figure students can gain assistance from. The Local USC Moms and Dads group hold many free on-campus events — most of them including free food — during the month to support and relieve students’ stress during the school year. The group has provided free baked goods, free first aid supplies, free therapy dogs, and more just this past semester!
Check out and join their Facebook group to hear more about their upcoming events and to get involved as a USC Student On Call.
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