| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.02 |
| Liaison | Megan Litke |
| Submission Date | Sept. 17, 2024 |
American University
PA-11: Health, Safety and Wellbeing
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.86 / 3.00 |
Anna
Parse Johnson Sustainability Manager Sustainability |
11.1 Student wellbeing and assistance programs
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s physical health services for students:
The Student Health Center on campus offers students in-person appointments for common health issues including physical exams, chronic illness, headaches and migraines, injuries, infections, prescription refills, and STI screenings. Students sick with coughs, colds, nausea or vomiting, or COVID-19 can access telemedicine support. The Student Health Center also offers preventative health care, including gynecological exams and immunizations. More information is available here: https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/healthcenter/
Does the institution make behavioral health services available to students?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s behavioral health services for students:
The Center for Wellbeing offers individual and group therapy, teletherapy, workshops, and consultations designed to support students navigating relationships, culture and identity, sexuality and gender, anxiety and depression, trauma, eating disorders, self-harm, and alcohol and drug use. More information is available on the website: https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/counseling/counseling-services.cfm
Does the institution make sexual and reproductive health services available to students?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s sexual/reproductive health services for students:
The Student Health Center offers gynecological health services, contraception methods, pregnancy tests, and STI screenings for students, as well as referrals for concerns they do not treat. The Center for Wellbeing offers therapy and other services to support students through issues with relationships, intimacy and sex, body image, and sexuality and gender.
https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/healthcenter/
https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/counseling/counseling-services.cfm
Does the institution make contemplative and/or spiritual activities available to students?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s contemplative and spiritual activities for students:
The Kay Spiritual Life Center is the home of contemplative and spiritual activity on campus. They have relationships with community partners that represent beliefs including Methodist, Jewish, Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Secular Humanist, Christian Science, and Pagan. A variety of student groups offer students a chance to connect based on their beliefs, including the Muslim Student Association, the Jewish Student Association, the Catholic Student Association, the Sikh Student Association, the Baha'i Club AU, the Interfaith Club, and the Coven at AU. Kay also offers support for students seeking religious accomodations and scholarships, as well as a place to host events centered around spirituality. More information is available on their website: https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/kay/
Does the institution have a campus safety committee that brings together students from vulnerable groups and management in the development and review of policies and procedures related to student safety and violence prevention?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s student safety and violence prevention committee:
Does the institution have an emergency assistance fund that provides grants or interest-free loans to students who are experiencing financial difficulties?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s emergency assistance fund for students:
Several schools at AU offer emergency assistance funds for students. Students must demonstrate financial need, be in good academic standing, and not have any violations of the AU code of conduct on their record. Students must show that they considered all other financial resources before applying to the emergency assistance fund. They may apply a maximum of two times while enrolled at AU.
The Kerwin Family Emergency Financial Aid Fund was established in 2017 to provide financial support to students with a preference for undergraduate students enrolled in their senior year whose unmet financial need represents a significant barrier to graduation. It is awarded in accordance with the University's financial aid policies.
More information available here:
College of Arts and Sciences: https://www.american.edu/cas/advising/student-emergency.cfm
School of Communications: https://www.american.edu/soc/resources/soc-student-emergency-fund.cfm
School of International Service: https://www.american.edu/sis/resources/funds.cfm
Washington College of Law: https://www.wcl.american.edu/school/admissions/finaid/emergency-funds/
Does the institution have a food bank/pantry, meal donation program, or similar initiative that provides food at no cost to students experiencing food insecurity?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s student food security initiatives:
The Market is AU's on campus food pantry. Access is need-blind and students recieve access by completing an application. The Market is stocked once per week with groceries and personal care items. It is solely donation-based, and AU community groups regularly host drives to supply The Market. It is also supplied with fresh food donated from Airlie Farm's CSA program and food recovery programs on campus. More information is available here: https://www.american.edu/student-affairs/the-market.cfm
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
11.2 Employee wellbeing and assistance programs
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s physical health services for employees:
The AHealthyU office periodically hosts a mobile health van that checks cholesterol, BMI, A1c, and blood pressure. AHealthyU also offers annual flu shot clinics on campus.
Does the institution make behavioral health services available to employees?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s behavioral health services for employees:
The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program offers assessment, short-term counseling, referral to community services, follow-up contact, and other services. These services provide assistance in coping with physical or emotional problems, family and workplace stress and related issues, alcohol and other substance abuse, child care and elder care other issues, or problems that may affect emotional or physical health and well-being.
Does the institution make free or reduced cost fitness activities available to employees?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s fitness activities for employees:
AU offers discounted membership to campus recreational fitness facilities. Group exercise classes, couch to 5k training programs, stretch breaks, and movement challenges are free-of-charge to employees. AU also incentivizes employees to participate in university health programs, as well as to seek preventative health care.
Does the institution make contemplative and/or spiritual activities available to employees?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s contemplative and spiritual activities for employees:
Employees are welcome at the Kay Spiritual Life Center, the home of contemplative and spiritual activity on campus. They have relationships with community partners that represent beliefs including Methodist, Jewish, Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Secular Humanist, Christian Science, and Pagan.
Does the institution have an institution-wide health and safety committee or network of committees that brings together workers and management in the development and review of workplace health and safety policies and procedures?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s workplace health and safety committees:
AU's Wellness Council brings together faculty and staff across many levels of management to discuss and promote workplace health and wellbeing among employees.
Does the institution have an emergency assistance fund that provides grants or interest-free loans to employees who are experiencing financial difficulties?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s emergency assistance fund for employees:
The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program offers emergency loans to employees with repayment through scheduled paycheck deductions.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
11.3 Smoke free environments
Does the institution restrict outdoor smoking?:
Does the institution prohibit smoking and tobacco use across the entire campus?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s smoke-free policies:
American University policy prohibits the use of tobacco products and medical marijuana on property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled or operated by the university including campus owned, leased, or rented vehicles. The policy was effective in 2013 and applies to faculty, staff, students, vendors, guests, and contractors. The policy is available here: https://www.american.edu/policies/au-community/tobacco-and-smoke-free-policy.cfm
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.