Membership

The USC Retired Faculty Association was formally established on October 15, 1949, with nine members.  We currently represent a known constituency of 1,051 members of whom 646 are active (as of August 2009).  Membership is extended to full-time retired faculty, senior active faculty members, part-time and adjunct retired faculty, and spouses/partners of living or deceased eligible members.

What Are Our Purposes?

The RFA represents the interests of USC retired faculty within the university community.  RFA fosters collegiality among its members through promotion of lectures and other cultural and social events.

How Do We Connect with One Another?

The Association communicates regularly with its members via e-mail, and all members receive the quarterly Retiree Community Newsletter published by the Emeriti Center representing members of the USC Emeriti Center, Emeriti Center College, the Retired Faculty Association, and the Staff Retirement Association.

The Association, the Provost, and the Emeriti Center host an annual luncheon honoring new retirees in November.

Meetings of the Board of Directors, open to all members, are held on the second Friday of each month from August to June at 10:00 a.m.  When the meeting is followed by a luncheon/program, it is held in the USC University Club.  Otherwise, it is held in the Emeriti Center.

The Association co-sponsors a Homecoming Booth with the Staff Retirement Association.

For more information, contact the RFA president or other officers by leaving a voice mail message at (213) 740-7122.

How Do We Serve?

Retired Faculty/Staff Benefits Committee

An RFA board member chairs the Retired Faculty/Staff Benefits Committee, which serves as an advocate for retiree benefits such as the health stipend and access to counseling services.  Another result was the initiation of USC Senior Care, a Medicare supplement program.  Recently, the committee initiated cooperative programs with the USC Credit Union and the Keck School of Medicine Division of Geriatric and General Community Medicine.

University Committees

The RFA has voting rights on the boards of the Academic Senate, Emeriti Center Council, and USC University Club.  The Association recommends retired faculty for service on these University Committees:

• Academic Intergrity
• Information Services
• Faculty Lifetime Achievement Award
• Provost's Oversight Committee on Athletic Academic Affairs
• Galleries Advisor
• Honorary Degrees
• Public Arts
• Student Behavior Appeals

Retired Faculty Emergency Relief Fund

This fund was established in 1981 for the purpose of providing financial aid to a member who has experienced catastrophic expenses resulting from injuries or illness.  To request guidelines contact either the President of the RFA, the Executive Director of the Emeriti Center, the Faculty Liaison, or the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs.

Russell Caldwell Neighborhood Scholarship Program

This seminal neighborhood outreach program began in 1966 when Dr. Russell Caldwell, Professor of History and Journalism, solicited funds from the faculty to provide scholarships to graduates from area high schools.  Continuing support by the RFA, LAS Office of Academic Relations, and the Emeriti Center College provides $3,000 per year for four years to twelve continuing students.

How does the RFA relate to the USC Emeriti Center?

The RFA, a social organization, and the USC Emeriti Center, under the auspices of the Provost, share the goals of providing services and opportunities to retirees.  The faculty Liaison, who is an Associate Director of the Center, represents the retired faculty. Both organizations have a voting member on the other’s governing board.  Several activities are co-sponsored or coordinated by the RFA and the Emeriti Center, such as the annual Provost's luncheon honoring new retirees.  The RFA encourages attendance at lectures sponsored by the Emeriti Center.  The Emeriti Center provides continuity for the RFA with a mailbox and voice mail.