Critical. Subversive. Irrepressible.

AWOL
Critical. Subversive. Irrepressible.

AWOL
Critical. Subversive. Irrepressible.

AWOL

Investigations

A Metropolitan Police Department car sits on Massachusetts Avenue on Feb. 6.

Trump’s Takeover of Local Police Was New. D.C. Police Departments’ Rocky Relationship with Black Residents Wasn’t.

Despite an increase in fear, underlying problems in MPD’s policing of Washington’s Black residents already existed, data and advocate interviews show.
Will Sytsma and Stevie Rosenfeld • April 27, 2026

Five days after President Donald Trump took control of Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department, the abolitionist organization Harriet’s Wildest Dreams posted an Instagram video of a Metro Transit...

Lawyers can prosecute crimes as hate crimes at the D.C. Superior Court, but experts say they may not because of evidence complications and legal strategies.

Washington’s hate crimes law infrequently delivers justice

For over a decade, charges under D.C.’s Bias-Related Crimes Act remained few. In lieu of legal solutions, some groups are fighting hate at its roots.
Sydnee Patak and Emma Pierce • April 21, 2026

On Aug. 17, 2024, Christian Dingus and his partner entered the Shake Shack by Dupont Circle alongside a group of friends. But after Dingus and his partner shared a kiss while waiting for their food, a...

The door closes to the lobby of 3201 New Mexico Avenue, which houses American University's Office of Equity and Title IX.

Professor’s exit fits national pattern of Title IX falling short

Title IX offices routinely fall short of student concerns, prioritize universities, experts said.
Ava Ramsdale, Staff Editor • December 11, 2025

After two American University professors and one student filed six sexual-misconduct reports about Wesley Lowery, they said they are disappointed with the speed and lack of communication from the Office...

Waitlisted for well-being

Waitlisted for well-being

Students weigh in on current state of mental health services on campus.
Mia Kimm and Ali Filali • December 8, 2025

Editor's note: AWOL grants anonymity sparingly for sources with information we cannot get on the record for reasons including concerns on privacy and retribution. A sophomore at American University...

New CSI policy for clubs causes delays and confusion

New CSI policy for clubs causes delays and confusion

AU’s Center for Student Involvement added 55 pages of new policies this semester, including a non-discrimination policy. While some clubs tackled continuing delays, others were forced to reexamine their clubs' identity.
Stevie Rosenfeld, Staff Editor • November 10, 2025

Editors’ note: Over the summer, the Center for Student Involvement rejected AWOL’s application for re-registration. No one who was in correspondence with CSI over AWOL’s re-application was involved...

AU’s transmission electron microscope fills half a room in the Hall of Science.

A university layoff has left an advanced microscope unused

Months after AU achieved R1 status, research and student opportunities are hindered without her expertise.
Clair Sapilewski, Staff Editor • October 22, 2025

In the basement of American University’s Hall of Science sits an instrument powerful enough to image the inner workings of a single cell. Right now, logbooks show it’s going unused.  The device...

A handwritten sign outside the bathrooms in the Battelle-Tompkins building.

Eyes on Battelle’s bathrooms: Sign changes, surveillance cause controversy

After two restrooms’ sign changes went without notice, American University began to surveil those who restored its all-gender status.
Will Sytsma, Managing Editor • April 29, 2025

An American University history student had always considered the restrooms outside his office all-gender. The history student, who asked not to be named out of concern that speaking out could affect his...

Movers remove furniture from First-Year Advising office building Clark Hall on March 31.

First-Year Advising’s final days

As their office closes down, first-year advisors are reassessing their places at AU.
Ben Ackman, Photography Producer • April 23, 2025

In college, Roshan Abraham decided he could spend the rest of his life studying literature. “Back when I was an undergrad, people didn’t worry as much about the question of ‘What are you going...

Inside AU's 2024 Orientation Program

Inside AU’s 2024 Orientation Program

First-years and orientation leaders reflect on issues with new four-day orientation format.
Sydnee Patak and Layla Younis • December 4, 2024

On the first day of orientation, first-year Maya Hope Giermek went to get breakfast at the Terrace Dining Room. She stopped when she saw the line. It spanned from Bender Library, up the stairs through...

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