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In June of 1999, Los Angeles voters approved a change in the city charter,
creating a citywide system of neighborhood councils. The councils are official
governmental entities, serving as advisory bodies to members of the Los Angeles
City Council with the ability to influence budgetary decisions, zoning decisions
and all other aspects of the governing process. Anyone who lives, works,
attends school, attends church or owns property within the boundaries of
a specific neighborhood council is defined as a "stakeholder" and can participate
in that council.
USC's Contribution
The University of Southern California
(USC), as an institution, can be active in more than one neighborhood council; several surround
its University Park and Health Sciences campuses. In fact, through the USC
School of Planning, Policy and Development (SPPD) and USC Civic and Community
Relations (USC CCR), the university has contributed to the birth and growth
of the neighborhood council movement.
The university encourages its faculty, staff and students to be active
with these neighborhood councils. Through such civic engagement, they play
a vital role in the future of their communities and the city. USC CCR has
committed its directors of Community Outreach to represent the university
with the councils and support their efforts. They also help interested faculty,
staff and students learn more about the councils and how to participate with
them.
University Park Campus
In the University Park area,
USC is active with the Empowerment Congress North Area Neighborhood Development
Council. USC students and staff serve on the governing board of the council.
A group of students, some of whom are enrolled in President Sample and
Professor Warren Bennis' course on leadership, have formed a student organization
whose purpose is to get USC students and neighborhood youngsters involved
in this neighborhood council.
USC's representative on this council is Sharon Stewart, director, Community
Outreach, USC Civic and Community Relations. She can be reached at (213)
743-5264 or sstewart@usc.edu.
Health Sciences Campus
At the Health Sciences Campus,
USC's representative to the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council is David
Galaviz, director, Community Outreach, USC Civic and Community Relations.
He can be reached at (323) 442-3571 or dgalaviz@usc.edu.
In addition, the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council and the L. A.-32 Neighborhood Council serve this general area.
To Learn more about Neighborhood Councils:
Department of Neighborhood Empowerment
Los Angeles City Ethics Commission: Information for Neighborhood Councils |
