State Government Relations

State Advocacy

The Office of State Government Relations represents the university's core interests to governmental officials and advance the university's academic and public affairs agenda at the state level. This includes informing appropriate university officials of government actions or pending actions that would impact the functions of the university. The office also works with higher education and employer communities to promote the advancement of education, research and the university’s role as a major employer and community partner. For more information on the associations with whom USC is affiliated, please refer to their website below:

Please contact our office of State Government Relations for current legislation of interest to the university at www.Vvillalo@usc.edu. You can also search for bills and find additional information at www.leginfo.ca.gov.

The office also monitors the regulatory process of state agencies and encourages the participation of USC representatives on a variety of statewide boards, commissions and councils related to pertinent state policy and regulatory issues. These include:

California Council on Science and Technology - CCST is a nonpartisan, impartial, not-for-profit corporation established in 1988 by state legislation. It is designed to offer expert advice to the state government and to recommend solutions to science and technology-related policy issues. CCST is governed by a Board of Directors composed of representatives from its sponsoring academic institutions, from the corporate and business community, as well as from the philanthropic community. The CCST board includes C.L. Max Nikias, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of Southern California and Randolph Hall, vice provost for Research Advancement, University of Southern California. Website - www.ccst.us

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing - CCTC is an agency in the Executive Branch of California State Government. It was created in 1970 and is the oldest of the autonomous state standards boards in the nation. The major purpose of the agency is to serve as a state standards board for educator preparation for the public schools of California, the licensing and credentialing of professional educators in the State, the enforcement of professional practices of educators, and the discipline of credential holders in the State of California. Website - www.ctc.ca.gov

California Student Aid Commission - CSAC was established in 1955 as the principal state agency responsible for administering financial aid programs for students attending public and private universities, colleges, and vocational schools in California. CSAC and its nonprofit loan auxiliary, EDFUND, administer over $2.4 billion in grants and loan guarantees. The Commission also provides financial aid policy analysis and leadership, in partnership with California's colleges, universities, financial institutions, and financial aid associations. The Grant Advisory Committee consists of twenty members and provides guidance on the Commission's programs. Website - www.csac.ca.gov

California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) - CPEC was established in 1974 as the State planning and coordinating body for higher education and serves a unique role in integrating policy, fiscal, and programmatic analyses about California's entire system of postsecondary education. It provides the legislative and the executive branches of government with advice and information about major policy and planning issues concerning education beyond high school. Website - www.cpec.ca.gov

The California Educational Facilities Authority (CEFA) - CEFA was established in 1973 within the California State Treasurer’s Office for the purpose of issuing revenue bonds to assist private, non-profit institutions of higher education in the expansion and construction of educational facilities. The bonds issued under the Act are not a liability of the state but are based on the full faith and credit of the participating institutions. CEFA members include Michael L. Jackson (governor’s appointee) who is the vice president for student affairs and enrollment services at USC. Website - www.treasurer.ca.gov/cefa

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) - CIRM was established in early 2005 with the passage of Proposition 71 (2004), the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative. The measure, which provided $3 billion in funding for stem cell research at California universities and research institutions and called for the establishment of a new state agency to make grants and provide loans for stem cell research, research facilities and other vital research opportunities. The Independent Citizens Oversight Committee (ICOC) is the 29-member governing board for the Institute and includes Dr. Carmen Puliafito, dean of the USC Keck School of Medicine. Website - www.cirm.ca.gov

Government Resources