Anonymous Reporting • Investigation • Accountability

The Office of Professionalism and Ethics (OPE) serves as a central clearinghouse for complaints and the subsequent tracking of those complaints at USC’s University Park and Health Sciences campuses and all university programs and affiliates.

The office also provides oversight of investigations and there are instances when OPE will be charged with conducting formal investigations. OPE only investigates cases in specific instances at the direction of the Vice President of OPE or USC Senior Administration.

OPE, like other university investigative offices, is an impartial factfinder of policy violations. Discipline is handled by a separate entity with the power to issue sanctions when warranted (such as the Faculty Committee on Professional Responsibility, Office of Community Expectations, Office of Academic Integrity, Human Resources, or the Keck Hospitals/USC Care Integrated Executive Peer Review Committee). Additionally, investigative units that receive complaints directly will provide OPE with updates and resolutions.

How to report through OPE

Individuals are encouraged to report complaints directly to OPE through the university’s Help & Hotline reporting portal, which is available 24 hours a day through this secure online form or by speaking with a representative at 213-740-2500 or 800-348-7454. Individuals have the option to submit complaints anonymously.

Complaints may also be submitted by email at ope@usc.edu. When OPE receives a complaint, the staff reviews the information provided and assigns it to the appropriate investigative office (such as the Office of Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX, Human Resources, or Faculty Affairs), to ensure a timely resolution is reached in accordance with established procedures.

Visit How to Report for additional information.

What to report through OPE

There are numerous examples of inappropriate conduct listed within various university policies, all of which may be reported through OPE. These include safety and security issues (non-emergency), harassment and/or discrimination in the workplace, code of conduct and compliance breaches, theft and/or fraud, unprofessional conduct, and conflict of interest violations.

For more details, see Reporting Resources.