Fall Issue 33

The Hum: Experiences at a PWI

Students of color at AU speak about their time at a predominantly white institution

Helena Milburn, Ela Hernandez, Zoe Kallenekos, Marisa Álvarez, Alexandrea Valerio, Sia Patel, Sofia Borin, Stella Camerlengo, and Blake Guterman • January 7, 2024

This semester, The Hum team interviewed students of color and students for whom English is a second language, or ESL students, about their experience at American University, a predominantly white institution,...

FALL ISSUE 33

The 33rd edition of AWOL magazine is out now.

Grace Hagerman, Editor in Chief • November 30, 2023

https://issuu.com/awol/docs/f23_mag_proof

Absent advisors

Students express frustration over AU advising experience

Casey Bacot and Kevin Becker • November 29, 2023

With less than two semesters left at American University, Senior Lily Tierney said she doesn’t have a permanent advisor in either of her areas of study. “Right now, I have no advisor in SIS; they...

A deal for a meal

From food to energy, the worth of a meal exchange varies

Caleb Ogilvie, Managing Editor • November 29, 2023

Editor’s Note: This story includes discussions of measuring calories. Our purpose is not to assign value or judgment on how many calories someone eats in a meal but rather to examine a meal exchange’s...

Skating to a stop

D.C. skaters worry as Freedom Plaza scheduled for remodel

Augustus Bachmann and Jacob Botelho • November 29, 2023

A planned redesign of Freedom Plaza has worried skateboarders in Washington, D.C. about the future of the area and their ability to skate there. Situated between the Capitol building and the White House,...

Keeping Go-Go alive

Firefighter band shows importance of Go-Go music genre

Kate Kessler and Quinn Volpe • November 29, 2023

When a group of Washington firefighters and emergency medical service workers put a band together, they thought it would be a one-time thing to entertain their coworkers. The band, Heat Stroke, has...

Costs of housing

Rising rent and demand complicate search for housing

Ava Ramsdale, Staff Editor • November 29, 2023

Unable to secure campus housing at American University as an upperclassman, Madison DeFrancesco said she eventually found her college apartment in Silver Spring, Maryland. DeFrancesco, who graduated...

Admissions on trial

Banning of race-conscious admissions affects diversity on campus

Kalie Walker, Staff Editor • November 29, 2023

When the Supreme Court banned affirmative action, colleges across the U.S. had to ask themselves one question: What comes next? The Supreme Court overturned affirmative action on June 29 in a 6-3 decision...

On our doorstep

A photo essay

Maegan Seaman, Multimedia Director • November 29, 2023

While walking the neighborhoods in the district, it’s interesting to stop and take notice of the little things. In the fast paced environment of American University, it can be so easy to become caught...

Accessibility Uncovered

American University students and faculty advocate for other forms of accessibility than what campus provides

Maegan Seaman, Benjamin Austin, Michelle Miramontes, Ben Ackman, Beverly Freidenrich, Kathryn Gilroy, Claire Gover, Alyssa Guevaram, Vanessa Levins, Natalie Monga, Benjamin Noenickx, Emma Pierce, Zori Rouleau, Nico Roldan, and Callie Whicker • November 29, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOQjovOzDn0 This semester, AWOL’s multimedia team investigated how students and staff feel about accommodations and accessibility on American University’s...

Behind the budget

A $30.8 million deficit causes a push for budget tightening

Benjamin Austin, Olivia Bohart, and Arati Periyannan • November 28, 2023

American University confirmed a $30.8 million deficit for the 2024 fiscal year, according to an Oct. 17 budget update. Two questions loom over this year’s deficit: How did it happen? And what are the...

Little Amal in D.C.

How a 12-foot puppet has symbolized refugees across America

Emma Pierce and Michelle Miramontes • November 28, 2023

Washington, D.C., welcomed Little Amal, a puppet representing a young Syrian refugee, in September. Little Amal made her way across the National Mall and to the Washington Monument on Sept. 17, where...