Kaufman embroiled in racism drama
Tomo Chien
May 02, 2025
Good morning. It’s Friday, and this is the last newsletter of the school year 💔. Onto the five USC, Los Angeles, and California stories you need to know for today.
Stay tuned for an end-of-year email this weekend.
1.
The Kaufman School of Dance has been torn apart by allegations that some students routinely hurl racial slurs and degrading comments about Black people. Dean Julia Ritter has promised to resolve the issue through formal processes. But some students, who’ve organized dramatic meetings and sent scathing texts to schoolwide group chats, say that’s not enough.
2.
In case you missed it: The LA County District Attorney filed felony charges against a USC freshman who allegedly pointed a gun at another student in a campus dorm last month. Sufian Khmous, 18, is not currently attending classes or living on campus, according to a family spokesperson.
3.
Many college students who won highly coveted internships in the federal government have since seen their summer offers revoked. One USC student who was supposed to intern at the State Department said he was left scrambling to make new plans after his offer was pulled. “I was kinda expecting it,” he said. “Still very frustrating.”
4.
USC is seeking to dismiss itself from a lawsuit filed by the parents of a Chapman cinematographer who died in an off-road vehicle crash while on set with USC film students in 2022. The school argued it’s not liable in part because it never approved the shoot, and because the deceased student was not wearing a seat belt.
5.
Graduation season is here, and some seniors are going all out on decorating their sashes — at much expense. The sash itself costs $54.99. But the additional cost of patches and words can quickly double or triple that figure. “Yeah, you’re not gonna wear it again,” said senior Giorgio Jimenez. “But ideally, you only have to graduate once.”