Postdoctoral Fellows
Postdocs appointed as non-salaried affiliates will come through the Exchange Visitor Program on the J-1 visa.
UNIV 2.50 Affiliate Appointments
Academic affiliates are non-salaried individuals sponsored by an academic unit who volunteer and are allowed to perform specific activities related to instructional programs, research and scholarship.
Appointments for academic affiliates (e.g., instructional or research activities) must be approved by both the Department head (Chair/Director) and the College/Division head (Dean). Most non-U.S. citizens appointed as affiliates at USC are academic (rather than non-academic).
Note: Affiliate appointments are not intended as an alternative to paid employment, nor for short-term guests invited to campus (e.g., conference speakers). Certain U.S. visa statuses are incompatible with affiliation.
Academic unit submits HCM-PeopleSoft affiliate eForm with signed attachments (intent form, appointment letter, and affiliate information form).
For best results, academic unit should act at least several months before the target appointment date, as timelines vary widely depending on the foreign national’s location, country of citizenship, current U.S. immigration status, etc.
ISSS-EVP confirms that the foreign national’s U.S. immigration status is compatible with the offered appointment.
ISSS-EVP collects relevant U.S. immigration documents and approves the eForm. The foreign national may then access USC email, apply for a Carolina Card, etc.
Contact j1evp@sc.edu for case-specific guidance based on affiliate’s U.S. immigration status.
Affiliate Appointments
The President’s policy UNIV 2.50 provides guidance and procedures for affiliate appointments. See page 6, paragraph 5 for requirements and templates to appoint non-U.S. citizen affiliates.
Appointments for academic affiliates (e.g., instructional or research activities) must be approved by both the Department head (Chair/Director) and the College/Division head (Dean). Most non-U.S. citizens appointed as affiliates at USC are academic (rather than non-academic).
Non-academic affiliate categories: affiliate coach, campus minister/chaplain, contractor/vendor affiliate, foundation affiliate, health services affiliate, presidential affiliate, ROTC affiliate, other.
Type of appointments:
- Affiliates for access (not on campus)
- Affiliates on campus
Note: Affiliate appointments are not intended as an alternative to paid employment, nor for short-term guests invited to campus (e.g., conference speakers). Certain U.S. visa statuses are incompatible with affiliation.
Academic unit submits HCM-PeopleSoft affiliate eForm with signed attachments (intent form, appointment letter, and affiliate information form).
For best results, academic unit should act at least several months before the target appointment date, as timelines vary widely depending on the foreign national’s location, country of citizenship, current U.S. immigration status, etc. This timeline is shorter for foreign nationals accessing systems from their home country (no immigration documents needed).
ISSS confirms that the foreign national’s U.S. immigration status is compatible with the offered appointment.
ISSS collects relevant U.S. immigration documents and approves the eForm. The foreign national may then access USC email, apply for a Carolina Card, etc.
Contact OIS@sc.edu for case-specific guidance based on affiliate’s U.S. immigration status.