The 1987 version of the USC Faculty Handbook was developed through the joint efforts of the Faculty Senate (now called the Academic Senate) and the USC Administration. The Handbook contains (on p. 11) the following statement regarding revisions:

"Consistent with University Bylaws and the delegation of authority to the President in carrying out policy established by the Board of Trustees, revisions to the Faculty Handbook are based upon recommendations from faculty and administration. These recommendations are subject to review and consultation designed to lead to a joint formulation by the faculty and the administration. The joint formulation, endorsed by the Faculty Senate, and adopted by the President, is published."

Since 1987 some portions of the Handbook have become outdated (for example sections on mandatory retirement and early retirement plans). Other sections have been changed by mutual agreement of the Senate and the Administration. A joint committee of the Academic Senate and Provost has worked on an overall revision of the Handbook during the last two academic years (1995-96 and 1996-97) without completing the task. In March 1997 Provost Lloyd Armstrong took the issue of Handbook revision off the table for the time being.

Sections of the 1987 Faculty Handbook that have been changed by mutual agreement of the Senate and the Administration in recent years include the following (list may not be complete):

1. Constitution of the Academic Senate. The name of the Faculty Senate was changed to Academic Senate and a new Academic Senate Constitution was adopted by vote of the faculty in 1993. This has resulted in changes in Section 1.6 and Appendix 1 of the 1987 Faculty Handbook.
2. Policy on Full-time Non-tenure Track Faculty. New policy was developed by a joint committee and approved by the Academic Senate and Administration in 1996. This policy was slightly revised in 1997 and now replaces Sections 2.2 and 2.4d3 of the 1987 Faculty Handbook.
3. Grievance Procedure. A new Faculty Grievance Procedure was developed and approved by the Academic Senate and Administration in 1997 for implementation on July 1, 1997. This modifies Section 2.5a of the 1987 Faculty Handbook.

Summary prepared by Robert H. Stellwagen and posted on July 21, 1997.