YIKES

USC President C.L. Max Nikias Steps Down After Campus Gyno George Tyndall Controversy

The university now faces lawsuits from over 225 students and alumnae.

University of Southern California president C.L. Max Nikias has agreed to step down effective immediately, the school’s Board of Trustees announced Tuesday. The university first announced his departure in May, after it was found that longtime campus gynecologist Dr. George Tyndall subjected many students to inappropriate comments and harassment while performing pelvic exams or during appointments. About 300 patients contacted USC’s hotline raising concerns over appointments they had with Tyndall, and 200 USC faculty members called for Nikias to step down in the aftermath. The university now faces lawsuits from over 225 students and alumnae relating to Tyndall’s behavior—who had reports filed against him between 1990 to 2016. Wanda Austin, former president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, is set to become interim president of the university.