Welcome, Eagle Families! Our goal is to foster a strong partnership with AU families and ensure you remain informed, engaged, and empowered to contribute positively to your student's success. Please find here resources shared during Parent & Family Orientation, designed to help families support their students at American University.
Safety & Security Services
- Security Video Monitoring
- Access Control & Alarm Monitoring
- Fire Alarm Monitoring Station
- Emergency Notification System
- Safe Ride Back to Campus
- Emergency Blue Phones
- Safe Escorts
- Shuttle App (Rider by Transloc)
- Self Defense Classes
- Emergency Operations Center
- Rave Guardian Personal Safety App
- Emergency Preparedness
- Violence Prevention Program
AU Police Department Contacts:
- Emergency line: 202-885-3636
- Non-Emergency line: 202-885-2527
Career & Internship Conversations
-Access career resources at the career center and view various types of jobs and internships at student jobs.
-Attend the Part-Time Employment Fair for paid on-campus and off-campus jobs: September 4, 1-3:30 pm, MGC Tavern (business casual attire).
-Attend the Fall Job and Internship Fair to familiarize yourself with such events, even if you are not looking for an internship: September 18, 1-4 pm, Bender Arena (professional attire).
Visit us at AU Career Center
Resources for Belief and Religious Identities
Kay Spiritual Life Center is American University's place for people of all beliefs to explore meaning, discern purpose, and find community since 1965.
-Join us outside Kay Spiritual Life Center for tea and cupcakes every Tuesday for Tea Time-- an AU Campus Tradition!
-We house more than two dozen different belief communities, including our many Community Partners, Volunteers, and Student Organizations.
-Follow us on Instagram at @aukaychapel, on Engage, and via our Website.
Letting Go & Helping Your Eagle Get Off the Ground
-Transition can be hard for everyone. Remember to maintain perspective. Your student may have difficulty, and you may also have difficulty. It is okay for the transition to be challenging.
-American University has a wealth of resources. From academic support to mental health services, support is available. Encourage your student to send the emails, make the calls, and schedule the appointments. A resource is only as useful as one's willingness to engage with it.
-Regularly check in with your student. Ask them how they are doing and listen to their joyful moments as well as the difficult ones.
Visit us at the Office of the Dean of Students.
Getting Involved at AU
-Discover how students can foster leadership development skills and get connected to community involvement opportunities at AU through various programs and initiatives.
-Learn more about clubs, student government, programming councils, and fraternity & sorority life offered at AU on Engage.
-Check out the Center for Student Involvement and Center for Leadership and Community Engagement websites for more information on how your student can get involved.
Visit us at The Center for Student Involvement.
How to Support Your Student’s Academic Success
-Encourage and cultivate good help-seeking behavior with your student. Asking for help does not mean they are weak or that they are bothering us. We are here because we want to help our students learn and grow.
-We have multiple resources to assist our students: Faculty have office hours every week. Every student has an academic advisor. Many courses – especially those for new students - have embedded peer support (program leaders, peer facilitators, supplemental instructors, etc.) who students can turn to outside of class for help. Our writing center, peer tutors, supplemental instruction sessions, and academic coaching sessions are FREE to our students and have multiple hours every week to help our students become better learners.
-Help your students realize that temporary setbacks (not getting it right the first time, receiving a lower than desired grade on an assignment, etc.) are components of their growth. It is the choices and actions that students take after a set-back that determines their success.
-Every student admitted to AU can achieve. We welcome them. We believe in them. We are on this journey together.
Visit us at ASAC.
Eagle Alumni Review
From before classes start, to graduation and everything in between-- Alumni are here to support students!
-Programs such as Dinner with Alumni, Student-Alumni networking opportunities, and platforms like Alumnifire for AU, offer students a chance to think about and discuss their careers and future.
-We host events like Lunar New Year with the Pacific Islander Alumni Alliance, the Annual CBCF Ebony Eagles of Excellence Awards Reception with the Black Alumni Alliance, the Annual Latino Alumni Brunch and Night OUT at Nationals Park with the Pride Alumni Alliance.
Visit us at Alumni.
Feeding Success (AU Dining)
-Optimizing the meal plan: Students are encouraged to explore all dining options available to maximize their meal plan benefits and create balanced, nutritious meals.
-Embrace Culinary Adventures: The dining experience at AU allows students to step out of their comfort zone and try new dishes in the dining venues to discover new flavors and expand their culinary horizons.
-Convenience at Your Fingertips: Visit our website for all dining highlights, including daily menus and enhance technology for quick service, empowering students to make informed dining choices efficiently.
-We Value Your Feedback: We are here to listen and improve the dining experience for students. You can reach us at idcards@american.edu.
Visit us at Dine on Campus.
New Student & Family Programs
https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/families/
American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016