What is documented?
The Education Department found USC failed to respond promptly and effectively to notice of potential harassment. USC agreed to reforms and later announced a state civil settlement.
Limits of this record
Tyndall denied wrongdoing and died before a criminal trial. Civil settlements and regulatory findings must not be described as his criminal conviction.
The dated record
Compare institutions →Notice of possible harassment documented
OCR’s 2020 findings say USC had notice of possible sexual harassment from at least 2000 and failed to respond effectively.
US Department of Education: USC findings letter, docket 09-18-6901 ↗USC publishes its account of earlier complaints
USC’s statement describes its 2016 investigation and a March 2018 report to the California Medical Board. This is the university’s account.
USC statement of facts about Tyndall ↗Federal class settlement approved
USC records Judge Stephen Wilson’s final approval of a $215 million class settlement.
USC federal class-action settlement ↗Education Department finds Title IX violations
OCR found failures in responding to potential sexual harassment and in complaint recordkeeping. Its letter sets out findings and compliance concerns.
US Department of Education: USC findings letter, docket 09-18-6901 ↗USC announces $852 million state settlement
USC and 710 women reached a state-court settlement, ratified by the university’s board.
USC announces $852 million state settlement ↗Tyndall dies before a criminal trial
Associated Press reported his lawyer’s confirmation of his death. He had pleaded not guilty; no criminal trial verdict was reached.
Tyndall dies before trial — Associated Press / PBS ↗Leadership & court roles
C. L. Max Nikias
President’s public response · 15 May 2018
USC’s published message records the president’s account at that point in time.
Source for this role ↗Source date: 15 May 2018 · Checked 1 Oct 2026
Carol L. Folt
OCR findings letter · 27 February 2020; settlement · 25 March 2021
The findings letter is addressed to President Folt; the later settlement announcement includes her response.
Source for this role ↗Source date: 27 Feb 2020 · Checked 1 Oct 2026
Stephen Wilson
Federal class settlement approval · 25 February 2020
USC records his final approval of the $215 million settlement. Settlement approval is not a criminal verdict.
Source for this role ↗Source date: Publication date not confirmed · Checked 1 Oct 2026
Daniel J. Buckley
State settlement announcement · 25 March 2021
USC says the Los Angeles Superior Court judge assisted the resolution with mediator Jeffrey Krivis.
Source for this role ↗Source date: 25 Mar 2021 · Checked 1 Oct 2026
Sourcebook
USC federal class-action settlement ↗
Page gives approval date February 25, 2020; page publication date not confirmed.
USC statement of facts about Tyndall ↗
USC message from President Nikias ↗
US Department of Education: USC findings letter, docket 09-18-6901 ↗
51-page findings letter. Distinguish regulatory findings from criminal adjudication.
USC responds to Education Department findings ↗
USC announces $852 million state settlement ↗
Tyndall dies before trial — Associated Press / PBS ↗
Death was reported October 5; the article says he was found dead October 4.