Lil Bill has been like a father to me ever since I moved out to L.A. He helped me move into my new apartment, he taught me how to change a tire, he gives the best bear hugs, and he has one of the biggest hearts I've ever encountered.

Lil Bill and his father have been a part of the USC surrounding community for over 40 years, with Big Bill's Bike Shop servicing both students and community members for decades. In the Fall of 2016, the University of Southern California Administration reached out to Lil Bill, asking him to take over an on-campus bike repair shed. Ever since then, Lil Bill's his bike shop has been an integral part of campus, providing maintenance services to students who pass by on the daily. Not only does Lil Bill provide students with inexpensive tune-ups, he also serves as the face of the USC neighborhood. USC students, many of whom do not interact with the community members off campus, are given the opportunity to get to know a real person from the South L.A. area every time they go to Lil Bill for help.

USC has always touted its commitment to, and support of, the neighbors and community members surrounding the college campus. It seems, however, that this no longer holds true as USC has told Lil Bill that he must remove his bike shed from campus come May of 2017. A more expensive and less accessible bike shop will open off campus with the arrival of the USC Village and USC wants to funnel Lil Bill's customers to this new shop without any regard to the student body's wants or needs, let alone to the livelihood of Lil Bill and his family.

Let the University of Southern California know that you care about small businesses and our community members. Sign this petition to keep Lil Bill and his shop on campus and in business!