usc travel time

The Departments of Business Services  are responsible for purchasing and paying for goods and services on behalf of the university and for processing purchases and payments in compliance with policies set forth by the university, sponsored projects, the Internal Revenue Service, and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

Procurement & Strategic Sourcing

USC Procurement and Strategic Sourcing mission is to support the university by applying the best methods and best business practices when acquiring goods and services.  Within the context of the university environment, Procurement & Strategic Sourcing will promote the development and use of procurement and strategic sourcing processes that, in turn, promote the pursuit of excellence and the best interests of USC, while maintaining the highest possible integrity, broad based competition, fair and equal treatment of the business community, and increased economies and efficiencies in the procurement process.

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Corporate Cards

USC’s corporate cards are designed to simplify payment and tracking of purchases made by university faculty and staff. The P-Card is the recommended form of payment for USC goods and services costing less than $5,000—except for travel, dining and event-related goods and services, for which the Travel Card should be used.

Eligibility is based on your department’s business need and is contingent upon approval from your Senior Business Officer. You must be on active payroll status with the university to qualify for either a P-Card or Travel Card.

USC Payment Services’ mission is to support the university by applying the best methods and best Payment Services ensures all disbursements of university funds are done in accordance with university policy and within Federal and State regulations. This means providing external as well as internal customers with the most efficient, precise, and prompt service.

Travel & Expense

Plan, book, and request reimbursement for university expenses and business travel. The Travel & Expense Portal (SAP Concur) supports all university-related business expenses for travel, events, meals, and non-travel purchases for faculty, staff, students, and guests.

Mailing & Material Services

Mailing and Material Management Services is responsible for the administration and operation of incoming and outgoing mail and all shipping and receiving of items for the university. Primary duties include the pickup or receipt, sorting, and delivery of all university incoming, outgoing, and

USC Business Services offer online training and support for the following business processes:

• Travel & Expense Portal
• Jaggaer Marketplace
• Invoices and Payments
• USC Corporate Cards
• Bulk Payments
• USC Supplier Portal
• Trojan Talent Source

USC values the quality of its suppliers and the strength of its collaborative partnerships. The departments of Business Services work in tandem with university suppliers to provide professional, responsive, and quality goods and services in support of the University of Southern California’s (USC) academic, research, social and economic goals. Additionally, Procurement Services collaborates with the Small Business Diversity Office (SBDO) to reach the university’s goal to procure, regardless of source of funds, 15% of all purchases with diverse suppliers, including woman, minority, and veteran-owned businesses.

Travel Signature

Updated 12/3/2023

A signed I-20/DS-2019 is not required to depart the U.S.; however, international students and scholars who are reentering the U.S. must ensure they have a valid travel signature on their I-20/DS-2019. Only Designated School Officials (F-1)/ Responsible Officers (J-1) at the Office of International Services are permitted to sign the I-20/DS-2019 for travel.

Travel Signature Endorsement and Validity

Continuing students/scholars.

The signature on page 2 or 3 of the I-20 or on the bottom right corner of page 1 of the DS-2019 is valid for 12 months. If your re-entry date to the U.S. is within 12-months from the last signature, you will be eligible to re-enter on that I-20/DS-2019.  However, if you re-enter after the 12-month period, then a new travel signature is required.

Information for F-1 students on OPT/STEM OPT

The signature on page 2 or 3 of the OPT I-20 is valid for 6 months from when it was signed. If your re-entry date is within 6 months from the last signature, you will be eligible to re-enter on that I-20.  However, if you re-enter after the 6-month time frame, a new travel signature is required.

Information for J-1 Short-term Scholars and J-1 Students on Academic Training 

Travel signatures are valid for 6 months or until the end of program, whichever is sooner.

How to Request a Travel Signature Remotely

Students/scholars who need a travel signature should request one prior to their departure from the U.S. if possible. A travel signature require seven business days processing time. Please arrange your travel/re-entry plans accordingly.

F-1 Students

To request a travel signature, the student must submit a Travel Signature I-20 Request . The processing time for these requests is  seven (7) business days . The I-20 will be signed electronically and emailed to student’s USC email account. U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), and Department of State (DoS) accept electronically signed I-20s.

J-1 Students/Scholars

To request a travel signature, the Exchange Visitor (EV) must complete the Student Travel Signature Request or Scholar Travel Signature Request form . The processing time for these requests is  seven (7) business days . The DS-2019 will be signed electronically and emailed to the EVs USC email account. Please note that EVs are not permitted to digitally sign the DS-2019. U.S. Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS), Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), and Department of State (DoS) accept electronically signed DS-2019s.

Special note for J-2 Dependents: OIS will automatically include travel endorsements for all J-2 records on file with the J-1 Exchange Visitor’s request.

Did you forget to get your I-20/DS-2019 endorsed for travel? 

Enter the U.S. on I-515A. The I-515A is a document issued by the U.S. Port-of-Entry officer that allows students and scholars to re-enter the U.S. on a temporary status of 30 days.  If you do not have a valid travel signature, you will likely be issued a Form I-515A by the U.S. Port-of-Entry officer.  Since this is a temporary stay document that only allows 30 days stay in the U.S., it is very important that you contact OIS immediately upon arrival to fix your status to F-1 or J-1 D/S.  Entering on an I-515A may cause some delays at the Port of Entry, so please plan accordingly.

Please visit the  Contact Us page for OIS office hours and closures. Any requests submitted during weekend or holiday closures will not be processed and emailed until the office reopens.

Reminder: Upon re-entry to the U.S., students should print out their I-94 Arrival/Departure record .

Reimbursements

University community members incur various types of expenses as they perform tasks and duties that support the operations of the university and further its mission. This policy is to ensure that individuals who incur valid business expenses are reimbursed in a fair and equitable manner; that business expenses are reported, recorded and reimbursed in a consistent manner; and that the university complies with all applicable federal, state and local rules and regulations.

USC reimburses employees, students, and guests for necessary and reasonable approved expenses they incur in the conduct of university business. All reimbursements must be requested through the university’s travel and expense system ( Concur ). Certain expense reimbursements may require additional approval from a dean or vice president.

University departments may adopt more restrictive policies and such restrictions must be monitored through department level controls.

Government unallowable expenses may not be reimbursed using a sponsored project account. See  https ://policy.usc.edu/sponsored-project-funded-expense-provisions-expenditures/ .

Timely submission and taxable income

The university follows IRS “Accountable Plan” expense reimbursement guidelines, which allows the university to reimburse business expenses without including the payment amount in the taxable income of the individual incurring the expense. To be non-taxable, business expenses must be:

• Properly substantiated (see substantiating business expenses section below) and
• Submitted within certain time limitations.

In order to comply with IRS guidelines regarding timely submission:

• Travel related expense reimbursements are treated as a non-taxable reimbursement when submitted within 60 calendar days of the trip return date and all other requirements of the university’s business expense policies are met
• Non-travel related expense reimbursements are treated as a non-taxable reimbursement when submitted within 60 calendar days of the transaction date and all other requirements of the university’s business expense policies are met

Pursuant to IRS guidelines, expense reimbursements are generally treated as a taxable reimbursement when reimbursements are submitted more than 60 days after the transaction date or the trip return date.

Substantiating business expenses

The university requires receipts to be used to substantiate business expenses. For un-restricted accounts a receipt is required:

• When a single expense is $75 or more; or
• For a hotel expense of any amount.

Sponsored project accounts receipts are required for all amounts when commercially available.

When a receipt is required and cannot be obtained or has been lost, a Missing Receipt Declaration must be completed and signed by the individual who incurred the expense.  Information on this process is available online at  https ://procurement.usc.edu/payments/reimbursements/receipts/ .

Personal forms of payment

For liability and tax compliance reasons the university offers several university-issued forms of payment to be used whenever possible for incidentals and travel and entertainment expenses instead of personal funds.

Reimbursement requests for approved expenses incurred using personal funds will be reimbursed upon event completion.

Cash advance

Cash advances are intended to cover anticipated expenses associated with (1) a university business trip, (2) a university-sponsored event or (3) human subject.

Because the university offers several preferred payment options (i.e., corporate cards, clinical cards or disbursement vouchers) that are more secure and less expensive for all parties to administer, cash advances will only be issued with SBO approval and all expenses must be substantiated by receipts.

The following is applicable when requesting and settling a cash advance:

• A cash advance request will not be issued more than 10 calendar days prior to the date of departure or event;
• Requests that exceed maximum rate allowances require approval from a dean or vice president, see  the Business Services site ;
• A cash advance must be either returned or adequately accounted for, with receipts, within 60 calendar days of returning from a trip or of event completion to qualify as non-taxable income to the employee who received the cash advance payment. A past due advance must be returned or adequately accounted for before the individual will be eligible for additional advances (see “substantiating business expense” section above);
• The entire amount of the cash advance being reported as taxable income on the employees W-2;
• Loss of cash advance usage; and
• Employee disciplinary action.

Refunds and rewards programs

Any reimbursement or payment issued by the university which subsequently results in a refund must be returned to the university.

All coupons, certificates, rebates, and/or points received as a result of a university purchase are USC property and all reward redemptions must benefit the university. In the case of rewards earned as a result of a sponsored project purchase, the reward is the sponsor’s property and the reward’s redemption must benefit the sponsor.

Sufficient funds and active accounts

Funds must be available and accounts active in order to process expense reimbursements.

Nonresident alien

A nonresident alien is a non-U.S. citizen who comes to the U.S. to perform work for the university. To be in compliance with the IRS, reimbursements to nonresident aliens must be made on an actual basis; per diem reimbursements are not allowed.

Reimbursement procedures can be found on the  USC Business Services website .

Responsible office

Business Services https://businessservices.usc.edu [email protected] (213) 740-2716

Travel Guidance

COVID-19 Vaccinations and Boosters

For all students, faculty, and staff traveling on USC-sponsored programs, it is strongly recommended that you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations, especially if traveling internationally.

STUDENT TRAVEL

For all non-personal student travel, students should follow the guidelines on the  USC Global site “For Students” .

Study Abroad Programs

Students should consult with their USC home school or department study abroad advisor to learn about program availability –  https://global.usc.edu/student-travel-abroad/departments-offering-travel-abroad/

FACULTY AND STAFF TRAVEL ON UNIVERSITY BUSINESS

Travel to DOS/CDC Level-4 Countries

• Travelers are recommended to be  up to date on vaccination
• Traveler prepares a plan that indicates itinerary, justification for travel, compliance with all relevant COVID-19 guidelines, and emergency response plan 
• If travel is to a  Level-4 pre-approved country , the travel plan is reviewed and approved by the respective School Dean or designated divisional approver
• If travel is to a Level-4 country not in the  pre-approved list , the respective School Dean or designated divisional approver submits it to the  Travel Review Panel  for final review and approval
• Travelers must sign the  Travel Acknowledgment/Waiver Form

All other international travel

• Travelers must comply with all relevant COVID-19 guidelines; destination country, return country, USC, etc.
• Travelers to register for  USC Duty of Care
• Further information and details are located at  USC Business Services Travel and expense website   
• The  list of pre-approved Level 4 countries  can change at any time
• Phase 5 plans contain a step-back contingency. In the event that restrictions be reinstated, travel guidelines will have to adjust accordingly

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USC cancels ‘main stage’ commencement ceremony

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USC announced Thursday that it is canceling its main May commencement ceremony, capping a dramatic series of moves that began last week after it informed valedictorian Asna Tabassum, who had been opposed by pro-Israel groups, that she would not be delivering the traditional speech .

In ending the university-wide May 10 graduation ceremony altogether, President Carol Folt aimed to quell the controversy that grew as the school chipped away at core parts of the ritual , drawing criticism from both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel activists.

The cancellation took place amid unrest on university campuses across the nation stemming from the Israel-Hamas war. On Wednesday at a pro-Palestinian encampment at USC, 93 students and off-campus activists were arrested.

“With the new safety measures in place this year, the time needed to process the large number of guests coming to campus will increase substantially,” USC said in its announcement. “As a result, we will not be able to host the main stage ceremony that traditionally brings 65,000 students, families, and friends to our campus all at the same time and during a short window from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.”

A university spokesman did not reply to a request to interview Folt, who has not spoken publicly about the cancellations.

At least 23 satellite graduation ceremonies at USC’s schools and colleges will continue as scheduled, in addition to smaller departmental receptions.

“We understand that this is disappointing; however, we are adding many new activities and celebrations to make this commencement academically meaningful, memorable, and uniquely USC, including places to gather with family, friends, faculty, and staff, the celebratory releasing of the doves, and performances by the Trojan Marching Band,” USC said in a statement.

The university also announced that it will require tickets for “all commencement events taking place on May 8-11” and direct “all campus access through specific points of entry.”

It said that tickets would be limited to eight per graduating student and that they would not be transferable.

“There will be an appeal process if more tickets are needed,” said the letter, which added that commencement events would include a security screening “similar to those for attending athletic events at the Coliseum.” Guests at the Coliseum enter through a metal detector and their bags are X-rayed. USC also said only clear bags would be allowed at graduation events.

USC valedictorian’s grad speech is canceled: ‘The university has betrayed me’

Asna Tabassum was selected as USC valedictorian and offered a slot to speak at graduation. The university canceled her speech after pro-Israel groups criticized her Instagram.

April 16, 2024

Since citing unspecified security threats as the reason for canceling Tabassum’s speech, USC has seen a series of on-campus protests, including this week’s pro-Palestinian encampment.

University officials had followed their cancellation of Tabassum’s speech by calling off a speech by film director Jon M. Chu and appearances on the main stage by honorary doctorate recipients, including tennis legend Billie Jean King, saying they wanted to “keep the focus on our graduates.”

Some of the smaller commencement ceremonies will still host keynote speakers, including King, who is scheduled to address Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism graduates on May 10.

King has not responded to interview requests from The Times.

National Endowment for the Arts Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, who was also deprived of the chance to receive an honorary degree on the main stage, is scheduled to deliver a May 10 keynote speech to graduates of the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.

Via an NEA spokeswoman, Price declined an interview request.

Actor and activist Sean Penn will also still give a May 11 address to graduates of the Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, according to his representative.

LAPD arrests 93 people at USC amid Israel-Hamas war protests

LAPD officers in riot gear arrested 93 people on trespassing charges as they cleared an encampment at the center of the USC campus that formed in protest against the Israel-Hamas war.

April 24, 2024

The last time the main USC commencement was canceled was in 2020 after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those graduates participated in online and in-person ceremonies the next year, along with the Class of 2021.

“This is a rather unusual commencement, to put it in obvious terms,” said Donal Manahan, a USC biologist who has been the university marshal for the main stage ceremony since 2016. “It’s the whole country going through it.”

William Tierney, a university professor emeritus at USC’s Rossier School of Education and an expert in higher education policy and administration, said he blames Folt for the university’s failure to engage “in difficult dialogues.”

“This president hasn’t even made a statement. She’s gone. She’s invisible,” he said. Instead, he added, “the university has determined it’s a dangerous place and locked it down. ... And now we’ll cancel the main commencement because it is so dangerous for us to have a dialogue.”

“We could protect the Obamas when they came to campus,” Tierney said, referring to former President Obama and his wife attending their daughter Sasha’s graduation last year. “We could protect the campus at other times. But now it’s simply too dangerous? That just fails the leadership test across the board.”

USC junior Lawrence Sung said he was disappointed to not have a chance to celebrate his graduating friends at the main stage event.

“This is a massive overreaction,” said Sung, who studies international relations. “If USC was to choose the worst option at every step of the way in this controversy, this would be it.”

The saga at USC began April 15, when Provost Andrew T. Guzman released a campus-wide letter citing unnamed threats that came after the university announced Tabassum as the valedictorian and a scheduled speaker. Guzman said the attacks were of an “alarming tenor” and “escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement.”

Guzman did not say what the threats were or who was targeted. A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department told The Times that the agency had no crime reports regarding violent threats targeting Tabassum or the commencement ceremony.

The complaints focused on a link on Tabassum’s Instagram profile to a pro-Palestinian website that said, “Zionism is a racist settler-colonialist ideology,” and “One Palestinian state would mean Palestinian liberation and the complete abolishment of the state of Israel” so that “both Arabs and Jews can live together.”

Tabassum has denied she supports antisemitic views and said she is being singled out as a hijab-wearing Muslim woman.

Then last Friday, USC called off an appearance by Chu — the director of “Crazy Rich Asians” — and other commencement honorees. In canceling those events, USC cited “the highly publicized circumstances surrounding our main stage commencement program.”

In an interview prior to Thursday’s announcement of the main stage cancellation, Joel Curran, USC’s senior vice president of communications, said the decision about Chu and honorary degree recipients was made in order to avoid putting them “in an awkward situation” to address the valedictorian controversy or the Israel-Hamas war.

“We are putting them in an awkward situation, difficult situation. There have been a lot of conversations around commencement. We do not want to put them in that position,” Curran said.

Last week, 11 members of the Advisory Committee on Muslim Life at USC — more than half the membership — resigned in protest of the decision on Tabassum. Folt had convened the group in mid-2023 amid complaints of anti-Muslim bias on campus.

USC is one of dozens of colleges and universities where tensions have grown in recent weeks over free speech and protest over the Israel-Hamas war, including Columbia, Yale, UC Berkeley and Cal Poly Humboldt.

In its Oct. 7 attack on Israel , Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people and took roughly 240 hostages. Gaza health authorities say Israel’s retaliatory war has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians. According to the United Nations, 2 million Gazans are living in near-famine conditions.

Times staff writers Angie Orellana Hernandez and Jenna Peterson contributed to this report.

More to Read

Pro-Palestinian protests grow at California campuses as counter-protesters clash at UCLA

April 25, 2024

Biden’s Morehouse College graduation invitation draws backlash

USC cancels appearance by director Jon Chu, others amid valedictorian controversy

April 19, 2024

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Jaweed Kaleem is a national correspondent at the Los Angeles Times. Based in L.A. with a focus on issues outside of California, he has traveled to dozens of states to cover news and deeply reported features on the complexity of the American experience. His articles frequently explore race, religion, politics, social debates and polarized society. Kaleem was previously based in London, where he was a lead news writer on Russia’s war on Ukraine and spearheaded European coverage for the Times, including the Global California initiative. Before joining The Times in 2016, he reported on religion for HuffPost and the Miami Herald, where he was a member of a Pulitzer Prize finalist team recognized for coverage of Haiti. His reporting has also received awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Society for Features Journalism, the Asian American Journalists Assn., the South Asian Journalists Assn. and the National Headliner Awards.

Matt Hamilton is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. He won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting with colleagues Harriet Ryan and Paul Pringle and was part of the team of reporters that won a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the San Bernardino terrorist attack. A graduate of Boston College and the University of Southern California, he joined The Times in 2013.

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USC cancels main graduation ceremony amid controversy over valedictorian speech, protests

A fter facing scrutiny over its decision to cancel its valedictorian speech - and one day after more than 90 people were arrested at a Pro-Palestinian protest on campus - USC is canceling the main graduation ceremony that had been planned for May 10.

"With the new safety measures in place this year, the time needed to process the large number of guests coming to campus will increase substantially," read a statement posted on USC's website . "As a result, we will not be able to host the main stage ceremony that traditionally brings 65,000 students, families, and friends to our campus all at the same time and during a short window from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m."

The university says it will still host dozens of commencement events, including all the traditional individual school commencement ceremonies where students cross a stage and receive their diplomas.

"We understand that this is disappointing; however, we are adding many new activities and celebrations to make this commencement academically meaningful, memorable, and uniquely USC, including places to gather with family, friends, faculty, and staff, the celebratory releasing of the doves, and performances by the Trojan Marching Band."

USC said it's in the process of finalizing all details regarding commencement ceremonies and will post updates on its website by Tuesday, April 30.

USC campus remains closed to public after mass arrests of demonstrators

USC's campus remained closed on Thursday until further notice, although classes will go on as scheduled. More 93 people were arrested when police cleared an "occupation" of USC's Alumni Park by pro-Palestinian protesters demanding that the university end ties with Israel and Israeli-tied investments.

Organizers of the USC occupation issued a statement saying the action is "in solidarity with the people of Palestine as they resist genocide and continue in their struggle for liberation."

"The occupation is also in resistance to attempts by USC and other universities to suppress the student movement for Palestine on its campuses, in resistance to the silencing of students that criticize the State of Israel, in resistance to the university administrators and boards of trustees who profit off the genocide of Palestinians," organizers said.

In part, the group demanded university divestment from organizations that "profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide and occupation in Palestine."

USC Provost Andrew Guzman wrote in a message to the campus community Wednesday afternoon that protesters' "actions have escalated to include acts of vandalism, defacing campus buildings and structures, as well as physical confrontation that threatens the safety of our officers and campus community."

By mid-afternoon, the gathering was again mostly peaceful, with about 200 protesters marching through and later sitting in the park.

In his statement Wednesday afternoon, Guzman noted that the university has a ban on erecting tents or other encampments on the campus, along with a ban on the "use of loudspeakers, signs on poles or stakes and the disruption of classes and other essential functions of the university."

Guzman said the protest participants -- "many of whom do not appear to be affiliated with USC" -- were repeatedly asked to adhere to the campus rules by removing tents and other prohibited items. The provost's statement did not directly address any of the demands put forth by protest organizers.

Tensions over canceled valedictorian speech

Asna Tabassum - USC's 2024 valedictorian who has publicly supported Palestinians - recently spoke out after the university's decision to scrap her speech.

She said she isn't buying the safety claim and said she wasn't provided specifics when she pressed university officials.

"Almost a one-way conversation - and then the next day they came to me, they gave me a call and said 'It's unfortunate, but you don't get to speak,'" Tabassum recalled.

Guzman previously said that debate over the selection of Tabassum to give the commencement speech took on an "alarming tenor." Her speech would have presented "substantial" security risks for the event that draws 65,000 people to campus, he said.

While Guzman did not specify whether there had been threats, he said "we cannot ignore the fact that similar risks have led to harassment and even violence at other campuses."

More protests, encampments pop up across US college campuses

At Emerson College in Boston, 108 people were arrested overnight at an alleyway encampment, and new encampments and protests continued to pop up at campuses across the country.

Students protesting the war are demanding schools cut financial ties to Israel and divest from companies enabling the conflict. Some Jewish students say the protests have veered into antisemitism and made them afraid to set foot on campus.

At Emerson, video shows police first warning students in the alleyway to leave. Students link arms to resist officers, who move forcefully through the crowd and throw some protesters to the ground.

"As the night progressed, it got tenser and tenser. There were just more cops on all sides. It felt like we were being slowly pushed in and crushed," said Ocean Muir, a sophomore.

"For me, the scariest moment was holding these umbrellas out in case we were tear-gassed, and hearing them come, and hearing their boots on the ground, just pounding into the ground louder than we could chant, and not being able to see a single person," she said.

Muir said police lifted her by her arms and legs and carried her away. Along with other students, Muir was charged Thursday with trespassing and disorderly conduct.

Emerson College leaders had earlier warned students that the alley has a public right-of-way and city authorities had threatened to take action if the protesters didn't leave. Emerson canceled classes Thursday, and Boston police said four officers suffered injuries that were not life-threatening during the confrontation.

On Wednesday, officers at the University of Texas at Austin aggressively detained dozens of protesters. Hundreds of local and state police - including some on horseback and holding batons - bulldozed into protesters, at one point sending some tumbling into the street. In all, 57 people were jailed and charged with criminal trespass, according to a spokeswoman for the Travis County Sheriff's Office.

Dane Urquhart, a third-year Texas student, called the police presence and arrests an "overreaction," adding that the protest would have remained peaceful if the officers hadn't turned out in force. In a statement, the university's president, Jay Hartzell, said: "Our rules matter, and they will be enforced. Our university will not be occupied."

North of USC, protesters at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, remained barricaded inside a building for a third day. The school shut down campus through the weekend and made classes virtual.

At Emory University in Atlanta, local and state police swept in to dismantle a camp, although the university said the protesters weren't students but rather outside activists. Some officers carried semiautomatic weapons, and video shows officers using a stun gun on one protester who they had pinned to the ground. At least 17 people were detained, handcuffed with zip ties and loaded into a police transport van.

Protesters at Emory chanted slogans supporting Palestinians and opposing a public safety training center being built in Atlanta. The two movements are closely entwined in Atlanta, where there has been years of "Stop Cop City" activism that has included attacks on property.

But many colleges, including Harvard University in Massachusetts, were choosing not to take immediate action against protesters who had set up tents, even though they were openly defying campus rules. And some colleges were making new rules, like Northwestern University, which hastily changed its student code of conduct Thursday morning to bar tents on its suburban Chicago campus.

The current wave of protests was inspired by events at Columbia University in New York, where police cleared an encampment and arrested more than 100 people last week, only for students to defiantly put up tents again, in an area where many are set to graduate in front of families in a few weeks. Columbia has said it plans to continue negotiations with protesters through early Friday.

The Associated Press and City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.

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Compensatory Time Off for Travel

Fact sheet: compensatory time off for travel, description.

Compensatory time off for travel is earned by an employee for time spent in a travel status away from the employee's official duty station when such time is not otherwise compensable.

Employee Coverage

Compensatory time off for travel may be earned by an "employee" as defined in 5 U.S.C. 5541(2) who is employed in an "Executive agency" as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105, without regard to whether the employee is exempt from or covered by the overtime pay provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended. For example, this includes employees in senior-level (SL) and scientific or professional (ST) positions, but not members of the Senior Executive Service or Senior Foreign Service or Foreign Service officers. Effective April 27, 2008, prevailing rate (wage) employees are covered under the compensatory time off for travel provision. See CPM 2008-04 .)

"Compensable"

Compensatory time off for travel may only be earned for time in a travel status when such time is not otherwise "compensable." Compensable refers to periods of time creditable as hours of work for the purpose of determining a specific pay entitlement. For example, certain travel time may be creditable as hours of work under the overtime pay provisions in 5 CFR 550.112(g) or 551.422. (See fact sheet on hours of work for travel .)

Creditable Travel

To be creditable under this provision, travel must be officially authorized. In other words, travel must be for work purposes and must be approved by an authorized agency official or otherwise authorized under established agency policies.

For the purpose of compensatory time off for travel, time in a travel status includes-

• Time spent traveling between the official duty station and a temporary duty station;
• Time spent traveling between two temporary duty stations; and
• The "usual waiting time" preceding or interrupting such travel (e.g., waiting at an airport or train station prior to departure). The employing agency has the sole and exclusive discretion to determine what is creditable as "usual waiting time." An "extended" waiting period-i.e., an unusually long wait during which the employee is free to rest, sleep, or otherwise use the time for his or her own purposes-is not considered time in a travel status.

Commuting Time

• Travel outside of regular working hours between an employee's home and a temporary duty station or transportation terminal outside the limits of his or her official duty station is considered creditable travel time. However, the agency must deduct the employee's normal home-to-work/work-to-home commuting time from the creditable travel time.
• Travel outside of regular working hours between a worksite and a transportation terminal is creditable travel time, and no commuting time offset applies.
• Travel outside of regular working hours to or from a transportation terminal within the limits of the employee's official duty station is considered equivalent to commuting time and is not creditable travel time.

Crediting and Use

Compensatory time off for travel is credited and used in increments of one-tenth of an hour (6 minutes) or one-quarter of an hour (15 minutes). Employees must comply with their agency's procedures for requesting credit within the time period required by the agency. Employees must also comply with their agency's policies and procedures for scheduling and using earned compensatory time off for travel.

Compensatory time off for travel is forfeited-

• If not used by the end of the 26th pay period after the pay period during which it was earned. (See Notes 1 and 2.)
• Upon voluntary transfer to another agency;
• Upon movement to a noncovered position; or
• Upon separation from the Federal Government. (See Note 1.)

Under no circumstances may an employee receive payment for unused compensatory time off for travel.

Note 1: See exceptions for uniformed service or an on-the-job injury with entitlement to injury compensation at 5 CFR 550.1407(a)(2) and Question 24 of the Questions and Answers on Compensatory Time Off for Travel (under References below).

Note 2: See exception due to an exigency of the service beyond the employee's control at 5 CFR 550.1407(e) and Question 25 of the Questions and Answers on Compensatory Time Off for Travel (under References below).

Limitations

Compensatory time off for travel may not be considered in applying the biweekly or annual premium pay caps or the aggregate limitation on pay. There is no limitation on the amount of compensatory time off for travel an employee may earn.

• 5 U.S.C. 5550b
• 5 CFR 550, subpart N
• Questions and Answers on Compensatory Time Off for Travel (see Attachment 1 to CPM 2005-03)
• Examples of creditable travel time (see Attachment 2 to CPM 2005-03)
• Hours of Work for Travel

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USC Cancels Main Commencement, Citing Safety Measures

FILE PHOTO: LAPD surrounds students protesting in support of Palestinians at an encampment at the University of Southern California’s Alumni Park, as the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas continues, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 24, 2024. REUTERS/Zaydee Sanchez/File Photo

(Reuters) - The University of Southern California (USC) said on Thursday it has called off its main-stage graduation ceremony this year, one week after canceling the valedictorian speech by a Muslim student who said she was silenced by anti-Palestinian hatred.

New safety measures in place this year, such as additional screening procedures, will increase the processing time for guests "substantially," according to an update on USC's website.

"As a result, we will not be able to host the main stage ceremony that traditionally brings 65,000 students, families, and friends to our campus all at the same time," the update said.

The Israel-Gaza war has sparked tensions on U.S. college campuses and inspired a wave of students to erect protest encampments at universities across the country in recent days. Hundreds of protestors have been arrested, including more than 90 at USC on Wednesday.

War in Israel and Gaza

Rights groups have viewed the arrests with concern as a free speech issue, while university officials have said the protests have been unauthorized.

USC's decision to abandon the main commencement ceremony came days after the university announced it had "decided it is best to release our outside speakers and honorees" from attending the commencement ceremony, following the outcry over the decision to cancel the valedictorian's speech.

USC Provost Andrew Guzman said in a statement last week that the decision to cancel the speech of the Muslim valedictorian, biomedical engineering major Asna Tabassum, was aimed at protecting campus security and "had nothing to do with free speech."

Guzman's statement did not refer to Tabassum by name, or specify what about her speech, background or political views had raised concerns, nor did it detail any particular threats.

Trojans for Israel, a USC-based group, and We Are Tov (Hebrew for "good"), a group advocating support for Israel and Jews in collegiate life, called for Tabassum's removal, saying she has previously espoused antisemitic views.

According to Tabassum, who described herself as a "first-generation South Asian-American Muslim," USC officials refused to share details of the university's security assessment.

(Reporting by Julia Harte; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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Tags: United States , Israel , Middle East , education , California

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The flight time from United States to Moscow, Russia is:

11 hours, 24 minutes.

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Flying time from United States to Moscow, Russia

The total flight duration from United States to Moscow, Russia is 11 hours, 24 minutes .

This assumes an average flight speed for a commercial airliner of 500 mph, which is equivalent to 805 km/h or 434 knots. It also adds an extra 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Your exact time may vary depending on wind speeds.

If you're planning a trip, remember to add more time for the plane to taxi between the gate and the airport runway. This measurement is only for the actual flying time. You should also factor in airport wait times and possible equipment or weather delays. If you're trying to figure out what time you'll arrive at the destination, you may want to see if there's a time difference between United States and Moscow, Russia .

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Despite the Soviet past, today’s Moscow is a dynamic, cutting-edge city – and the most populous in Europe. Well-heeled Muscovites flaunt their wealth by sipping Champagne with sushi at elite restaurants and shopping for designer labels at frighteningly expensive boutiques. Meanwhile, a growing middle-class has seen a proliferation of hip bars and trendy cultural centres.

While the Russian capital has striven to move on, recent tensions with the West have stirred up memories of the past. Moscow has previously led the way with protests against Vladimir Putin, but even with the tumbling ruble and economic sanctions, his popularity remains strong.

This doesn’t make Russia a no-go area, and Moscow – with its cosmopolitan, globe-trotting denizens – is not the formidable crucible often depicted. In summer, temperatures soar and the city’s vast parklands flourish. The historic Gorky Park received a complete makeover in 2012, installing free Wi-Fi and even a beach, while the Soviet behemoth that was the Rossiya Hotel has been demolished to make way for an ambitious central park.

Before that project comes to fruition, there is Red Square to marvel at, not least the mind-boggling St Basil’s Cathedral. Built by Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century, its multi-coloured domes and acid-trip patterns seem to defy logic. Nearby is the 14th-century Kremlin and seat of the tsars.

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As for nightlife, the city is becoming increasingly hedonistic – whether jazz, rock or vodka is your thing, there are plenty of options. Even the culinary circuit has come on leaps and bounds, though an evening at one of the city’s growing stable of world-class restaurants requires considerable investment. This is, after all, a capital of oligarchs.

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Featured hotels, izmailovo (gamma-delta).

Constructed to accommodate visitors to the 1980 Olympics, the concrete towers of the Izmailovo boast a staggering 8,000 rooms. Institutional in atmosphere, and located far out in the northern suburbs, the hotel is handy for the enormous Izmaylovo Market and has decent city centre links. There are several onsite restaurants and in-room Wi-Fi is available too.

Peking Hotel

Built in 1956 as a little sister to Stalin's Seven Sister skyscrapers, and intended as post-war headquarters for the secret police, Moscow's Peking Hotel is a heritage hotel with a small 'h', in a good location just northwest of the centre. Although slightly old-fashioned, its 130 rooms are comfortable enough, with satellite TV and en-suite bathrooms.

Warsaw Hotel

Although its location may not be one of Moscow's most picturesque, the Warsaw Hotel is convenient for Gorky Park. Considering the quality of the competition, this is one of the best cheap options in the city, with clean and comfortable rooms, albeit in a rather dated style. Wi-Fi is complimentary and the Oktyabrskaya Metro station is right next door.

Golden Apple

A boutique hotel on a refreshingly human scale, the Golden Apple offers imaginative styling and a personal touch that many 5-star hotels lack. Behind the baroque facade, its minimalist rooms are cosy, and there's an onsite restaurant and an open-plan bar too. Staff speak excellent English and there's Wi-Fi access, a gym and a sauna.

Historical Hotel Sovietsky

In the 1950s, Joseph Stalin decreed that the famous Yar restaurant should be upgraded to a hotel and the Historical Hotel Sovietsky was born. It quickly became a showcase for the image of sophistication that the Soviet government wished to present to the world, and its 107 rooms still conjures up the nostalgia of this period in history.

Hotel Danilovsky

It's hard to imagine a more atmospheric place to stay than the 12-century precincts of the historic Danilovsky Monastery. Set amidst chapels and gardens, the hotel is a modern construction, but the rooms are comfortable and all have a view of the stately monastery buildings. There's a sauna and bar onsite too.

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When is the best time to visit Moscow? | Weather, budget, events by month

• July 14, 2023

Discover when is the best time to visit Moscow. In this blog post, I will talk about weather, budget and other things to know to choose the best time when to go to Moscow for you. I cannot account the times when we went in Moscow. Here are the pros and the cons of each month taking all main criteria into account!

I will first describe the main criteria that will help you choose when to go to Moscow:

• Climate in Moscow: temperatures and weather

Special events in Moscow

• Budget and visa

Then I will talk about each season (go directly to this party if you already have an idea of ​​the desired departure date):

• Advantages and disadvantages month by month

The weather cannot be the only criterion to decide when is the best time to visit Moscow for you. Even if the temperatures drop low, Moscow in December is just magical! This is why I advise to take into account several criteria at the same time. Also remember that it takes at least a month to get the Russian visa.

When to go to Moscow: climate and weather

The seasons are well marked. The mid-season months are not necessarily the best for the weather. However, they are not necessarily to be avoided, because, as we will see later, Moscow is a city that changes all the time and the prices can be more attractive. For example, for a lot of people winter is the best time to visit Moscow.

Weather in Moscow. Moscow is inland, making the city “more protected” from changing weather. For example, the weather is much more changeable in St. Petersburg. On the other hand, the weather in Moscow is more and more scorching in summer, we can then easily reach 30 degrees (for the Russians, it’s already the heat wave).

Moscow temperatures

As soon as you think of Russia, you want to do “Brrrr”. Let’s prepare our down jackets! Indeed, the Russian climate is not the mildest on the planet. However, it all depends on the region, because the country is very large. Moscow is almost at the same latitude as Copenhagen. As Moscow is relatively far from the coast, there is a pronounced continental climate. It is hot in summer and cold in winter.

In addition, global warming is there. For several decades, annual average temperatures have always been recorded above the past. I suggest you look at the averages over the past five years to be as close as possible to reality:

Sunshine and precipitation

Sunshine. This is surprising, but there is more sunshine in Moscow than in Paris or even in Berlin: 1,731 hours in Moscow, compared to 1661 in Paris and 1626 in Berlin.

Duration of the day in winter. We had questions about the length of the day in winter. So, here are a few things. As in Europe, the shortest days are in December. In Moscow, at the end of December, the sun rises around 9 a.m. and sets around 4 p.m. Then the day gets bigger until the end of June, when the day is the longest.

Precipitation. There is more precipitation in Moscow than in Paris (705mm against 637mm).

When is the best time to visit Moscow: interesting events

Moscow is a city that moves a lot. It is even said that this city never sleeps. So there are a lot of events, forums, exhibitions, conferences. Here I’m going to talk about the main recurring events that punctuate the year and that may help you decide when to go to Moscow.

End of year celebrations in Moscow

December 31 rather than Christmas. The Russians are eagerly awaiting the holiday season. Here on December 31 is like Christmas with us. Religion, “opium of the people” according to Marx, and, above all, its official absence marked the country during the Soviet years. This then reinforced the celebration of December 31, while Orthodox Christmas is January 7.

Russian calendar. In addition, it should be known that the first week of January is a bank holiday. Many Russians therefore do not work during this period. Europe also greatly influences the habits of Muscovites. Consequently, the Christmas markets start in early December and, for some, continue until early February!

Fairytale atmosphere. If you are wondering when to go to Moscow and you love the holiday mood, then the end of December – early January, and even February, is for you! There are many things to do during this time: for example, Christmas markets, decorations, winter games, skating rinks. In 2016, Moscow opened the largest ice rink in Europe. In short, the city is doing a lot of entertainment during this period and the general atmosphere is at the top! However, everything comes at a cost. You can see more detail below in the article, month by month.

Find our more in this blog post: Christmas and New Year in Moscow .

Visit Moscow in May

May 1 and 9 are two big festivals in Russia. Both dates are known worldwide. May 9 in Russia is May 8 with us in France. The signature that marks the end of the Second World War. The shift day is explained by … the difference in time zone.

The May 9 holiday is a very important holiday for the Russians. The Soviet human losses amounted to millions. So there are many families who have been directly affected by the war. The first big parade was organized by Stalin on June 24, 1945 in Red Square in Moscow. Later each year the USSR and then Russia organized a parade on May 9. Here is the video of the first parade dating from 1945 in color, then the last – that of 2016.

A disadvantage of the beginning of May. For the planned events, Red Square will not be completely empty. There are always installations for May 9, but also rehearsals. So, to the question “when is the best time to visit Moscow”, I would not say that May is the best one. You can find out more in the article “Moscow in autumn” below.

Throughout the year, the Moscow City Hall organizes free events (festivals, small markets, concerts, etc.) in the Red Square and in the streets of the city center. For example, there are two major interesting events:

• Festival of Lights “Around the World”: in 2019, it was from September 28 to October 4.
• Anniversary of the city of Moscow always celebrated the first weekend of September.

When is the best time to visit Moscow: budget, price seasonality, visa

Most touristy periods. Many travelers come to Moscow from May to October. This is the period when we see the most tourists in Moscow. In addition, many are also those who come at the end of December and at the beginning of January for the New Year. The beginning of May and the first week of January are also strongly requested, in particular by the Russians (school holidays, public holidays).

Accommodation. Hotel rates therefore necessarily increase during these periods of the year. But they do not go so far as to triple. To give an idea, count at least 80 euros in the city center for a double room with breakfast. You can read more about the districts of Moscow in my article: Where to stay in Moscow?

Guides and tours. Also take into account that during these periods it will be more difficult to find a guide at the last moment. It’s best to do it 2-3 months in advance. There will be more waiting or difficulty obtaining tickets during the months of high tourist influx: late December, early January, May, June, July, August.

Visa for Russia. The cost of the visa does not change depending on the month of the year. On the other hand, the deadlines can be longer if you make the request for the high tourist season (from May to October). Allow about a month. Getting the Russian visa is not complicated, there is a procedure to follow.

In Russia, the seasons are divided as follows:

• Fall: September, October, November.
• Winter: December, January, February.
• Spring: March, April, May.
• Summer: June, July, August.

Discover Moscow in autumn: when is the best time to visit Moscow in autumn?

From the beginning of September, we feel that the temperatures begin to drop gradually, especially at night.

Moscow in September

More and more travelers are choosing the month of September to go to Moscow. Because it is not cold yet and there are fewer tourists than in summer. Prices drop slightly, but remain higher than in the lean months of the year. There is also the city’s birthday on the first weekend in September, but also the “Around the World” festival towards the end of the month.

Moscow in October

You are likely to come across the colors of autumn from the beginning of October. The accommodation prices are starting to drop gradually. There is less waiting in the places to visit. Temperatures are not very low: during the day they are generally around +6 degrees. On the other hand, the only negative point can be the cost of plane tickets, if you leave during the French school holidays.

Moscow in November

It’s one of the least calm! Temperatures drop and can approach zero during the day in mid-November. Hotel rates are low, there are few tourists, and therefore less waiting in museums. It’s easier to get tickets for the Kremlin Palace of Armor, which can be very difficult in the summer. Guides also have more availability. So why not go to Moscow in November?

Discover Moscow in winter: when is the best time to visit Moscow in winter?

Winter is a very nice time to go to Moscow, because the Christmas and New Year decorations are installed from the beginning of December and are not removed until the end of February. To learn more about the different activities in winter, read this article: What to do in Moscow in winter? If winter temperatures scare you, check out Moscow in the spring (see below).

Moscow in december

Normally, negative daytime temperatures set in, although the weather can vary significantly from year to year. In general, from mid-December the snow is durable. It is from December 20 that more and more travelers come to Moscow. December 31st is celebrated like Christmas in France. Accommodation rates are higher from mid-December. It’s also more complicated to find a guide at the last moment. Furthermore, as in Europe, the days of December are the shortest of the year. But if you want to mark New Years Day, you will have lots of memories!

Moscow in january

January is also a very festive month. The first week of January is a public holiday in Russia. Besides, it’s also a week of Russian school holidays. There are more people in the streets, museums and everywhere in the city. To find out more about this time of year (Christmas markets, itineraries, etc.), read: Christmas and New Years in Moscow . Prices remain high during this week, but drop from mid-January.

Moscow in February

It’s the second quietest month of the year. In February, winter clearly takes its ease. The temperatures are the lowest, it’s a real winter! The days are longer in February than in December. So we’re enjoying the day more, and with the snow it’s really nice, because the weather in Moscow in February is pretty sunny. Accommodation rates are at their lowest, and the decorations are still there. So, if you are looking for when to go to Moscow, if the cold does not scare you and you appreciate the snowy landscapes, why not consider the month of February?

Discover Moscow in spring: when is the best time to visit Moscow in spring?

Spring is a contrasting period between March, which is still quite cold, and May, when we really feel the arrival of summer.

Moscow in March

The ice and snow begin to melt around mid-March. Winter is coming in March, but spring is not quite there yet. It’s the third quietest month of the year. It is therefore possible to visit the city more quietly. Accommodation prices are low, guides are available. The weather in Moscow in March is milder than in February. In addition, the days are longer, so you can take many walks.

Moscow in April

It is only from mid-April that we begin to feel the beginnings of sunny days. The weather in Moscow in spring and April in particular is getting milder and colder: we can expect +7 during the day. In addition, there are not many travelers yet and we fear to enjoy the places more quietly, but we feel that the start of the tourist season is approaching. Accommodation rates are lower than in May.

Moscow in May

The early May holidays attract many travelers to Moscow. There are also many Russians who come to the capital on public holidays. It is therefore advisable to plan visits in advance to avoid queuing once there. Red Square can be closed or partially closed for rehearsals for the May 9 parade, the same day and one or two days after. More info in: Moscow in May: events, budget, what to do?

Discover Moscow in summer: when is the best time to visit Moscow in summer?

All summer months are great, if you take temperatures into account. The weather in Moscow in summer is quite pleasant. However, in recent years, there have been great heat peaks or heat waves in July (30 degrees during the day).

Moscow in June

From June, you can take long walks in the city’s parks, very numerous and much appreciated by the locals. Boat trips are more enjoyable from June. On the other hand, the prices of accommodation in Moscow are higher than in the lean months. There are also more tourists. Book your hotel, tours and activities in advance.

Moscow in july

July is the hottest month, but we’re not on +40. Moscow is a city inland and therefore there is little fresh air, if it is very hot. We can do lots of walks to discover the city. We have written several complete itineraries so as not to miss anything of Moscow in our special Moscow travel guide. It also contains tips to save time and enjoy the city off the beaten track, as there are so many tourists during this time of year.

Moscow in August

Temperatures are starting to drop gradually, but there are still so many people. In order to be sure of the choice of accommodation, I advise you to book in advance. The same goes for guided tours or entrance tickets to the Kremlin. It’s also a good time to discover the city differently by going to places that are less touristy and more frequented by locals.

When is the best time to go to Moscow? In summary!

The best time to discover Moscow depends on the criteria you want to favor: the weather, the budget, the tranquility of the visits, the special events to be experienced on site.

In summary:

• The peak tourist season in Moscow begins in early May and ends in late September.
• Late December and early January is the best time to experience the holiday mood, but it comes at a cost.
• End of January, February, March, beginning of April, November are the quietest months of the year, when you can visit the city more calmly and on a reduced budget.

So, have you decided when to go to Moscow? 🙂 Do you plan to visit Moscow in spring, summer, autumn or winter?

Travel idea! As in all cases you will get a visa and there is only 4 hours by train between Moscow and Saint Petersburg, why not visit both cities? Read an example of a route here: Moscow to Saint Petersburg in one week.

If you still have doubts, take a look at what you can visit in Moscow in order to choose the best period: Things to do in Moscow in 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 days.

For a great trip to Moscow:

• Visit Moscow and St Petersburg in one week: itinerary
• Where to stay in Moscow?
• Tourist voucher for Russian visa

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