| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.02 |
| Liaison | Megan Litke |
| Submission Date | Sept. 17, 2024 |
American University
PA-6: Institutional Climate
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 3.00 |
Lucy
Yearling Sustainability Intern Sustainability |
6.1 Support for students from underrepresented groups
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for students with disabilities:
The Academic Support and Access Center (ASAC) supports the academic development and educational goals of all American University students and is committed to promoting access for individuals with disabilities within the university's diverse community.
https://www.american.edu/provost/academic-access/
ASAC supports students in registering for accommodations related to academics, housing, accessibility, study abroad, and more. ASAC also provides a Learning Services Program for first-year students with learning disabilities, which includes weekly individual meetings with a support specialist, enrollment in a reserved writing class, individualized course advising, and upper-class mentorship.
Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of students that identify as members of marginalized racial, ethnic, and/or Indigenous groups?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for students that identify as members of marginalized racial, ethnic, and/or Indigenous groups:
The Race and Communication Exploration (RACE) Matters Initiative confronts racism through scholarship, teaching, and public engagement in the field of communication. It seeks to sustain and build upon racially equitable and inclusive organizational practices to foster a more inclusive work and learning environment.
https://www.american.edu/soc/info/race-matters.cfm
The BIPOC Affinity Group is a way to bring BIPOC Honors, CBRS, and FDDS students together to create an empowering and supportive environment. The group provides peer-to-peer support and mentoring, connects students with opportunities to explore their identities and cultures around D.C., engage with community service projects, participates in workshops focused on navigating a PWI as students of color, and collaborate with cultural- and identity-based organizations on campus.
https://www.american.edu/learning-communities/honors/bipoc-affinity-group.cfm
Black Affinity Housing is a live-in theme program where students help foster a warm and vibrant community supporting social, personal, and academic success. Residents in Black Affinity Housing are strongly encouraged to participate in periodic community programming and dialogues intended to build community, promote learning, and support wellness. Dorm staff will organize opportunities for residents to attend cultural events and general university programs as a group.
https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/housing/roper-hall.cfm
Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of LGBTQ+ students?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for LGBTQ+ students:
The Center for Diversity and Inclusion conducts LGBTQIA specific programs throughout the course of the academic year. Programs include workshops on understanding LGBTQ Identities, affinity group lunches and mixers, community building through art and self-expression, and creating a timeline of LGBTQ history for LGBTQ history month.
https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/cdi/student-resources.cfm
Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of low-income and/or first-generation students?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for low-income and/or first-generation students:
American University's Alpha Alpha Alpha chapter is a national honor society for first-generation scholars. This honor society is a way to celebrate the academic achievements of our first-generation students and is open to undergraduate, graduate, professional, medical, and pharmacy students.
https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/cdi/alpha-alpha-alpha-tri-alpha.cfm
First Generation Support
https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/cdi/firstgen-faq.cfm
Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced, and/or undocumented students?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced, and/or undocumented students:
Defending the AU Dream Initiative (AU Dream) is a part of the Immigrant Justice Clinic at the Washington College of Law. AU Dream’s mission is to provide free immigration legal services to undocumented and other immigrant undergraduate and graduate students who are currently enrolled in colleges or universities in the DC metropolitan area.
Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of students from additional underrepresented groups?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for students from additional underrepresented groups:
The Division of Student Affairs initiated the Veterans Services Support Network (VSSN) to provide AU's military connected student population (Veterans, current Service-members, and dependents) with the necessary resources and support to achieve their educational goals.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
6.2 Support for employees from underrepresented groups
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for employees with disabilities:
Disability+ Faculty and Staff Affinity Group: https://www.american.edu/hr/community/disability-faculty-staff-affinity-group.cfm
Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of employees that identify as members of marginalized racial, ethnic, and/or Indigenous groups?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for employees that identify as members of marginalized racial, ethnic, and/or Indigenous groups:
Black Faculty and Staff Affinity Group: https://www.american.edu/hr/community/bfsag.cfm
International Faculty and Staff Affinity Group: https://www.american.edu/hr/community/international-affinity-group.cfm
Latino and Hispanic Faculty and Staff Affinity Group: https://www.american.edu/hr/community/au-lhfsa.cfm
People of Color Faculty and Staff Affinity Group: https://www.american.edu/hr/community/people-of-color-affinity-group.cfm
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Affinity Group: https://www.american.edu/hr/community/aanhpi-affinity-group.cfm
Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of LGBTQ+ employees?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s support for LGBTQ+ employees:
LGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Affinity Group: https://www.american.edu/hr/community/lgbtq.cfm
Does the institution support one or more programs, initiatives, or networks designed to address the specific needs of employees from additional underrepresented groups?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s programs, initiatives, and networks for employees from additional underrepresented groups:
Military Connected Faculty and Staff Affinity Group: https://www.american.edu/hr/community/military-connected-faculty-staff-affinity-group.cfm
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
6.3 Institutional climate assessment
Description of the methodology used to assess institutional climate:
The Campus Climate Survey, conducted by the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment since 1992, collects data about student satisfaction with various aspects of campus life. The survey was substantially revised in 2017, and was most recently administered in February 2023. This survey is comprised of two versions: one for degree-seeking undergraduates and another for degree-seeking graduate students.
Results of the student survey: https://www.american.edu/provost/oira/surveys.cfm
The Faculty Survey was conducted in spring 2024 and results are still being analyzed. The survey was also conducted in 2022.
The staff survey was conducted in April 2024.
All surveys include demographic questions to allow comparisons between underrepresented groups and the dominant group.
Data from surveys was used to create our Inclusive Excellence Office and is used in evaluation of programs.
https://www.american.edu/president/diversity/inclusive-excellence/
Does the institution publish the results of its institutional climate assessments?:
Published results of the institution’s most recently finalized institutional climate assessment:
Online resource where the results of the institution’s institutional climate assessments are publicly available:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
Optional documentation
Additional documentation for this credit:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.