American University Alumni Relations A newsletter for parents and families
The quad is our living room

message from DR. fanta aw
vice president, campus life and inclusive excellence

VP Fanta Aw

We are now in our third month of classes, with Thanksgiving upon us. This is a time to pause, give thanks, and reflect on how far we’ve come already this year and all the people who have helped us get here. I would also like to express gratitude to the AU community - the many people whose sense of shared responsibility and commitment to a safe return has made this Fall possible. We know this is a challenging time, full of stress, academic demands, and continuous change, and are grateful that our faculty, staff, and students are so deeply committed to making this year a success. As families, you have played a key and constant role in supporting your students and the university, and I would like to express my thanks for all you do. As you prepare for Thanksgiving, which for many of you will include welcoming your students home, I wish you a wonderful time of joy, gratitude, and togetherness.

Dates, deadlines, and reminders

We create common ground

The new FAFSA is open and students must fill out the FAFSA annually to be considered for need-based aid.

11/23 Tuesday classes cancelled; Friday classes meet instead

11/24 - 11/28 Thanksgiving holiday; no classes, university offices closed on Thursday and Friday

12/1 Spring bills are available

12/10 Fall classes end

12/11 - 12/12 Fall study days

12/13 - 12/18 Fall final exams. The final exam schedule is now posted. Please consult with your student before finalizing end of semester travel.

12/19 Residence halls close (graduating seniors may remain until 12/20)

12/19 Fall Commencement 

1/6 Spring bills are due

1/6 Residence halls re-open

1/10 First day of spring classes

Event Calendar Make a Gift AU News

Family Webinar series

Whether your Eagle is new to AU or is approaching graduation, we are here for you. Our family webinar series seeks to introduce you to our staff and resources while we focus on ways in which parents and champions can work in partnership with us to best support students on their journey.

Join us on November 18 at 7 p.m. EST for "Home for the Holidays." We'll discuss what you might expect during this transition for you and your students.

You can find recordings of our recent webinars at the link below. 

 

Did you know we have a website with curated content just for our AU parents and families? Find quick links to campus services and offices, find key dates and deadlines, explore area hotels, browse our webinar recordings and more!

 

Does Online Learning Work? Answers From a Large University Study

Student studying

SPA professor Erdal Teken and his coauthors turned to longitudinal data to explore the effect of face-to-face instruction on student achievement. Read more about the factors that impact learning outcomes.

Britta Joy Peterson’s already there at Kennedy Center

Already There performance still

Britta Joy Peterson's recent immersive installation of music, light and music filled a series of rooms and hallways at the Kennedy Center. Peterson designed the installation to sharpen audiences’ senses towards things that we often filter out in our everyday lives, from background sounds, to textures, to changes in light. Rather than rush back to what was, pre-pandemic, how do we rush into what’s possible?” she asks.

Three Undergraduate Students Win Black Alumni Alliance Book Awards

Scholarship recipients

This fall, American University’s Black Alumni Alliance (BAA) selected three undergraduate students to receive the 2021 BAA Book Award, a scholarship that recognizes recipients for their accomplishments by helping them purchase books for their classes throughout the academic year. Meet the recipients.

 

  
 

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