Opponents of the University of Southern California dissolving its region-based domestic alumni clubs and chapters began an online petition Thursday seeking to reverse the decision.
Save USC Alumni Clubs Now said the decision was “made with a significant lack of transparency and despite consistent and fervent opposition from alumni” and although the plan was developed over the course of more than two years, no “on-the-ground alumni leaders” were consulted.
“We are Trojans who have been actively involved in USC’s regional alumni network across the United States, writing to express our dismay over the dissolution of the university’s 45 domestic region-based alumni clubs and chapters,” the alumni leaders said in an email.
“Our alumni groups were left out of the process entirely and were only informed of the changes after the new program strategy was finalized and announced. Our feedback was never sought.
“In fact, our near-unanimous concerns and recommendations were ignored and dismissed when raised at a recent online town hall. It is contrary to every leadership principle to disempower other leaders who share the same mission. Yet, that is exactly what was done and it has disenfranchised thousands of Trojans from their local alumni communities.”
The petition has gathered more than 2,500 signatures from USC graduates from more than 20 alumni clubs.
The USC Alumni Association said in a statement it “has had an ongoing dialogue with the USC Board of Trustees Alumni Affairs Committee, the USCAA Board of Governors and alumni across the nation” since 2017 about the region-based domestic alumni clubs.
“Through this and alumni attitude surveys, we learned that the university needed to do a better job of engaging alumni in their home communities,” the statement said. “We realized that more Trojans wanted to participate by bringing creative new ideas to fruition. It became apparent that a new approach was needed, one that would empower more regional volunteers and expand involvement opportunities for all.
“For many years, our club leaders have told us about the challenges they face and how they experience significant demands on their time, including having to organize an entire year’s calendar of events, communicate broadly with all alumni in the region, manage potential risks and liabilities associated with their responsibilities, and navigate the difficulties of leadership succession.
“Our new approach, without officers, chairs and boards, is more flexible and inclusive, allowing any alum (not just a club official) to take the initiative in organizing an event or activity. We believe this is a major improvement over the previous structure.”