American University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

Number five of American University's ten strategic goals is to "reflect and value diversity." Accordingly, the university supports several programs within the student body: - The Center for Diversity and Inclusion has a full time staff member dedicated to LGBTQA Programming and coordination. LGTBQ peer educators work to strengthen and sustain an inclusive campus community that welcomes people of all sexual orientations and gender identities by providing support, educational resources, and advocacy. This includes a guide of LGBTQ resources on campus and in the community. -The Safe Space Sticker Program seeks to create a safer and more inclusive campus environment for all members of the campus community by reducing heterosexism, homophobia, and transphobia. Through the training program and the display of Safe Space stickers the program creates a visible and supportive network of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and ally members of the campus community. - Multiethnic Studies is an interdisciplinary program that offers a broad course of study of ethnicity in the United States and the larger world. To meet the challenges and opportunities of diversity in an increasingly multicultural and multiethnic society, the program provides students with an understanding of the rich history of ethnic and racial diversity from multiple perspectives. The minor helps students prepare for an increasingly diversified workplace and a globalized economy by encouraging them to develop an awareness of and appreciation for their ethnic experiences as part of the greater human experience. - The mission of Disability Support Services (DSS) is to ensure that students with physical, medical, or psychological disabilities have equal access to university programs and services. DSS provides or coordinates a range of services and accommodations that meet the individual needs of a student based on the impact of the specific disability. - The Washington Internships for Native Students (WINS) offers students of sovereign American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH) nations the opportunity to build leadership skills while living, studying, and interning in Washington, DC. Developed in response to the White House Initiative on American Indians and Alaska Natives, this enriching program offers qualified students full scholarships funded by American University and sponsoring organizations. Participating students will gain professional work experience through interning at a federal agency or private firm, take courses focusing on Native American public policy concerns, and enjoy engaging social and cultural extra-curricular activities. -The Multicultural community, through the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, helps to direct students to admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and on campus student organizations to support students of underrepresented cultures and first generation students. - The Women's Initiative, through student government, offers support for women on campus and a space for an ongoing dialog about gender equity.

Descrimintation based on Disability: Discrimination based on disability is prohibited by university policy and local and federal laws, including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 and the DC Human Rights Act (collectively “Disability Laws”). The university is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for qualified individuals with disabilities. This statement identifies university resources for students with disabilities, provides general information about the university’s procedures for requesting accommodations, and describes informal and formal means of resolving complaints related to requested accommodations. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy or parenting age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, and individual's genetic information or an other bases under applicable federal and local laws and regulations in its programs and activities. The University expressly prohibits any form of discriminatory harassment including sexual harassment, dating and domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation and stalking. AU community members who witness discrimination are encouraged to report the behavior to the relevant office, listed in the official policy, without fear of retaliation. The complaint will then move through an official process of evaluation and resolution. Support, medical, and counseling resources are available to students and staff.

Non-discrimination Policy: http://www.american.edu/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=684026 ISSS Awards: http://www.american.edu/ocl/isss/staff-awards.cfm LGBTQA Resources: http://www.american.edu/ocl/cdi/lgbtq.cfm Housing Options: http://www.american.edu/ocl/cdi/Housing-Options.cfm Trans Resource Guide: http://www.american.edu/ocl/cdi/TRG.cfm Gender Inclusive Restrooms: http://www.american.edu/ocl/cdi/Gender-Neutral-Restrooms.cfm Discrimiation Response Disabilities: Services for Students: http://www.american.edu/ocl/studentguide/upload/Disability-Support-Services-for-Students.pdf Discrimination and Sexual Harrassment Policy: http://www.american.edu/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=4200770