Dropped my third Trojan off last week and all I can say is WOW. I have always been a fan and sometimes a critic of USC. Having an athlete there, I have spent a lot of time on campus and in the area over the last several years. Through my students, I have experienced some of the best, and some not so good, the college experience can offer. Trying to say that I am not blind in my feelings for USC. I have watched the progress of University Village but now that is is open, it has put me over the top in my love and admiration for this place. It is stunning, calling it an improvement doesn’t begin to adequately describe what it does to the campus experience. While let’s face it, the USC campus has always been beautiful, this is a total game changer by extending it greatly. It’s like USC World now. The walk over there - crossing the street really (Jefferson) a few steps from most of the freshman dorms - to University Village is a dream. With UV came a new entrance to the existing campus with a fab new “University of Southern California” sign, just made to pose in front of for that classic freshman pic. When you cross the street to UV, it is amazing how immense the place is. It is hard to remember that this held a run down strip mall, old movie theatre and basically muck for decades. Across the wide walkways are lanterns hanging above the sidewalks making it a lovely stroll at night, and the new statue of Hecuba, queen of Troy - mother of all Trojans - is simply fantastic as a showpiece and central to the UV plaza. Tommy will always be Tommy, but this is an awesome addition to the family. It sounds corny, but gosh, I feel even more proud to have mine attend there with the direction this school continues to go.
The best thing about University Village besides the architectural excellence is that having this certainly makes the area around USC a much safer place, making USC safer across the board. With Target there, the CVS pharmacy located within it, Wahlburgers, Trader Joes, another Starbucks, and dozens of other retailers opening, kids will just need to venture across the street from a beautifully landscaped entrance, or simply downstairs for anything they need. It has changed EVERYTHING. I didn’t see the dining hall, but understand it is stunning and modeled after Hogwarts in style and it’s grandness.
I have been very vocal about the need to increase safety around USC for years, and was happy to see patrols added and free Uber rides from 7pm-2am. That made a huge difference, and those should continue indefinitely. The Uber rides are so beneficial at night. University Village adds a new dimension and it is hard to express how much it improves the overall USC experience while increasing a secure experience for all. I tried to imagine myself a young freshman seeing this campus for the first time - it has to be mind blowing. It is that impressive. I hope those interested in USC can see it, and live it someday! I hope alum are able to see it when in Socal. For us old timers, we can recognize the change and progress it brings with an increase in our already deep Trojan pride. It makes the tuition a little less painful (though still really painful). For freshman and other newcomers, it will be all you know. Lucky you!
Fight ON!