Campus Life

For American University’s student researchers, uncertainties cloud the horizon

Past funding cuts and incoming regulations have caused fear among student researchers and their mentors. While some have abandoned academia, others see hope in the future of their research.

Stevie Rosenfeld and Kristine Roque • July 6, 2026

Sophia Gagliardi, a graduate student at American University, heard that the National Institutes of Health would make cuts to research grants when the news first broke in early 2025. Gagliardi, a biology...

AU’s free speech policy changed three times in four years

Protests, a legal complaint and a new president sparked the changes.

Joseph Albushies and Elias Garcia • May 4, 2026

Content warning: This article contains violent messages against Palestinians and Jewish people. Discretion is advised. Over three months after Oct. 7, 2023, the administration of former American University...

AU’s arboretum had the same manager since its start. That changed in February.

The landscape architect who helped create the arboretum passed the torch to an arborist this semester.

Caleb Ogilvie and Marisa Alvarez • May 1, 2026

James Biddle was taking notes on American University’s arboretum before he even became its arboretum manager. Walking across campus to interview for the job last October, he admired how plants added...

Two eras of protest

Students protested the National Guard, sexual assault and war this year. Their protests looked different nearly 60 years ago.

Sela Quiniones, Staff Writer • April 27, 2026

Over 1,000 American University students took to Ward Circle during rush hour on May 6, 1970. They were protesting the fatal shooting of four student protesters at an anti-Vietnam War protest at Kent State...

Into the archives

A trove of records provides a peek into the history of AU and beyond.

Clair Sapilewski, Staff Editor • April 22, 2026

Off of the main campus and north on Massachusetts Avenue, American University has a vault. Nestled in the shelves of the university’s Department of Archives and Special Collections are early-drawn...

What should you do if an active shooter’s on campus? Some professors say AU never taught them.

Faculty said there are weaknesses in emergency trainings and procedures.

Yuri Perelman and Rachel Novick • April 17, 2026

Editor’s note: For the safety of students and professors, AWOL decided to not name the specific classrooms and workspaces that professors raised safety concerns about because people could use the information...

AU removes online records of pre-Alger presidents’ announcements

The university removed old announcements of protest policy changes, updates on its strategic plans and condemnations of hate incidents as part of routine, ongoing website updates, the university said.

Will Sytsma, Elias Garcia, and Joseph Albushies • March 11, 2026

American University removed 286 online records of reports and announcements from university presidents before AU President Jon Alger in recent weeks, AWOL found in a records search. The “President’s...

Professor Profile: Kara Reynolds

Making student-designed courses a reality.

Marisa Alvarez, Podcast Director • December 29, 2025

In her Taylor Swift economics class, Professor Kara Reynolds saw a trend. Though men fill the seats of many of her classes, she said around 90% of her students in the Fall 2024 class were women. “To...

Is Fashion Political?

Students and professors discuss protest, politics and fast fashion.

Marisa Alvarez, Derek Springer, Stevie Rosenfeld, Nika Sabzevari, and Grace Manson • December 29, 2025

This semester, The Hum spoke to students and professors at American University to gain insight on whether they think fashion is political. Junior Marley Joseph is editor-in-chief of Ego Magazine,...

Stemming Beyond R1

What does this classification mean for AU's STEM programs?

Ben Ackman, Lilly Barnett, Sophia Berumen, Conny Galvez, Chase Gorman, Miles Hazo, Henry Humes, Ali Mahlowitz, Natalie Monga, and Clair Sapilewski • December 29, 2025

This semester, AWOL’s multimedia team investigated what American University’s recent R1 designation status means to faculty and students, and how funding and administrative support helped research...

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...

Off the tenure track

AU offers early retirement program amid budget troubles.

Grace Manson, Staff Writer • December 8, 2025

This year, American University reduced its budget for staff and faculty salaries by nearly $28 million, according to budget reports from fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The cut brought the total amount...

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