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USC files layoff notices for 38 positions across seven Los Angeles sites

USC files layoff notices for 38 positions across seven Los Angeles sites

Money Moves Los Angeles, CA local

The Sept. 9 filings range from 21 positions at one McClintock Avenue address to a single role at each of three others.

September 9th, 2026: USC files seven layoff notices

Overview

Updated Sep 16

USC filed seven state layoff notices on Sept. 9 covering 38 positions across its Los Angeles campus. California requires 60 days' warning, so the cuts are dated from early November.

The largest single notice covers 21 positions at 3649 McClintock Ave. The rest are smaller - seven at 1042 Downey Way, five at 1150 S. Olive Street, two at 3740 McClintock Ave, and one each at 854 Downey Way, 1149 S. Hill Street and 746 W Adams Blvd.

The filing follows a larger USC notice last November covering 60 positions. Together they show a major private university trimming staff a few roles at a time.

Why it matters

Thirty-eight jobs at one of L.A.'s largest employers go on a 60-day countdown, and the filing spreads them across seven addresses rather than one department.

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Key Indicators

38
Affected positions in Sept 2026 notices
USC filed seven WARN notices covering 38 positions, effective Nov 4, 2026.
60
Affected positions in Nov 2025 notice
Prior USC WARN notice effective Dec 29, 2025.
Nov 4, 2026
Scheduled layoff date
Effective date of the Sept. 9 notices.

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People Involved

Carol Folt
Carol Folt
President, University of Southern California
In office since 2019; layoffs filed under her administration

Organizations Involved

University of Southern California
University of Southern California
Private Research University
Filed two WARN notices in 11 months

Private research university in Los Angeles, one of the city's largest employers.
California Employment Development Department
California Employment Development Department
State agency
Maintains WARN layoff notices

State agency that collects and publishes layoff notices under California's WARN law.

Timeline

November 2025 November 2026

4 events Latest: September 9th, 2026 · 2 months ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Scheduled layoff date

    Upcoming Regulatory Filing

    Scheduled layoff date for the single affected employee.

  2. USC files seven layoff notices

    Latest Regulatory Filing

    USC files seven WARN notices covering 38 positions, layoffs dated Nov 4.

  3. Effective date of 60-position layoff

    Regulatory Filing

    Effective date of USC's 60-position layoff notice.

  4. USC files 60-position layoff notice

    Regulatory Filing

    USC files WARN notice covering 60 positions at Los Angeles campus.

Scenarios

1

Nov 4 layoff proceeds as filed

Likely Resolves by Dec 15, 2026

Discussed by: The notice itself declares the employer's intent; layoffs of this size rarely change

USC names one affected employee with a Nov 4 effective date. No public analysis challenges the filing, and small notices typically carry through without rescission. The worker would separate on or around Nov 4 with benefits ending per the notice.

2

Layoff notice rescinded, worker retained

Unlikely Resolves by Dec 15, 2026

Discussed by: Uncommon for small filings; employers sometimes withdraw notices after reassignment

USC could pull back the notice if the worker transfers to another role or the budget line recovers. No indicator points this way, but it happens with many small WARN filings.

3

USC files more layoff notices

Possible Resolves by Sep 9, 2027

Discussed by: Pattern of two filings in 11 months points to continued staff cuts

USC's November 2025 notice covered 60 positions; September 2026 covered one. If budget pressure continues, additional WARN notices for small and medium groups would appear on the EDD list within the next year.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

March-June 2020

Pandemic-era university layoffs (2020)

When COVID-19 hit, U.S. universities cut thousands of staff and froze hiring as enrollment uncertainty spiked. Many workers lost health coverage along with paychecks.

Then

Campuses shed jobs in dining, housing, and administration; federal aid later softened the blow.

Now

Linked university staffing to enrollment and budget cycles, setting a pattern for later cuts.

Why this matters now

Shows how university layoffs cluster — one notice often precedes others.

August 2023

West Virginia University staff cuts (2023)

Facing a $45 million deficit, WVU proposed cutting 32 programs and laying off more than 140 faculty and staff.

Then

Faculty organized against the cuts; the board scaled some back, but many positions ended anyway.

Now

Became the national example of university budget stress converting into layoffs.

Why this matters now

USC's filings are smaller but follow the same logic of budget pressure driving staff reductions.

January 2003

California WARN law (2003)

California's Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act took effect, requiring 60 days' notice for layoffs of 50 or more employees in a 30-day period.

Then

Employers began filing notices with EDD, creating a public record of planned job cuts.

Now

The notice list became a tracking tool for regional job losses.

Why this matters now

Explains why USC files — and why a one-person notice appears even below legal thresholds; such filings are voluntary.

Sources

(2)
California Employment Development Department Pill Pals Pharmacy Team