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Homeless activists call for D.C. Department of Human Services Director’s resignation

Protesters say the director neglected her duties by allowing for inhumane conditions in the District’s public housing and homeless shelters.

McKenzie Beard • September 16, 2020

Activists and community members gathered in front of the home of D.C. Department of Human Services Director Laura Zeilinger on Saturday, calling for her resignation over the quality of services provided...

Mental Health Crises Spark a Call to Improve AU’s Counseling Services

At AU’s Counseling Center, long-term care for a few is sacrificed for short-term care for many

Maya Savoie, Staff Writer • September 10, 2020

A student wrote in the post about how she had witnessed two suicide attempts in dorms on campus and how they were handled, including stories about crisis response from the AU Police Department. Dalaker ended the post by requesting students share their own experiences.

AU Antiracist Center aims to rebrand, rebuild

Antiracist scholars Christine Platt and Malini Ranganathan appointed interim co-directors of the center following Ibram X. Kendi’s departure.

Jasmine Dean, Talia Marshall, and Margaux Renee • August 31, 2020

Kendi, founder of AU’s Antiracist Center, announced his move to Boston University in early June followed by an announcement via email that two members of the center’s original team, Malini Ranganathan and Christine Platt, would assume the role of interim co-directors of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center in July and would shape the new direction for the center, particularly in choosing the new director in the coming year.

Is AUx2 Enough?

Students unsure if university program is adequately addressing campus prejudice

Jasmine Dean, Staff Editor • August 27, 2020

One major critique among students is that AUx2 has forced marginalized students to speak about their own experiences to teach more privileged students about issues such as racism and other forms of prejudice or discrimination.

Is American University really woke?

What it really means to be the most politically active school in the nation

Talia Marshall, Staff Editor • August 20, 2020

“There’s a lot of lip service paid to activism,” said sophomore Elliot Williams. “But very few students are willing to put in the time and the persistence that’s necessary to hold actions, events and to follow through with their goals.”

Inclusivity Requires Accessibility: Issues with ASAC Accommodations

Sierra Cougot, Creative Director • August 13, 2020

When requesting his accommodations, Sackstein said, “I tried to get them to commit to offer rides to the quad, even for just the first week while I transitioned. But they wouldn’t budge.” “I mentioned that my friend who had an ACL tear was accommodated by her university, but they told me that this was AU,” Sackstein said.

Racism, sexism, and abolition: a modern Greek tragedy

Reports of racist incidents and sexual misconduct connected to fraternities and sororities on anonymous Instagram pages have led many students to disaffiliate from their organizations and some to call for abolishing Greek Life.

Katherine Long and Grace Vitaglione • August 4, 2020

Reports of racist incidents and sexual misconduct connected to fraternities and sororities on anonymous Instagram pages have led many students to disaffiliate from their organizations and some to call for abolishing Greek Life.

‘This is not a heartwarming story’

Ryann Ersoff didn’t ask to become an app developer. But in the era of coronavirus, she saw an opportunity to help people.

Benjamin S. Weiss, Fall 2019 Editor-in-Chief • July 28, 2020

Ryann Ersoff wants you to know that she is not a STEM major. “Developing an app is not something that I knew how to do,” she said. “I’m very ‘communications’ and ‘literature,’ and just...

Boundary Breakers: Asian American Women in the film industry

Ziyi Yuan • July 23, 2020

The commercial film market doesn’t provide many chances for female directors. The documentary market is more diverse than commercial films, said Jayaswal, but there is still room for improvement.

College students work to prioritize mental health in light of COVID-19

Katherine Long, Editor in Chief • July 17, 2020

Two out of three college students don’t seek treatment for anxiety and depression, according to mental health awareness non-profit Active Minds. This doesn’t factor in the added layer of being self-quarantined and completing college courses remotely

Is American University Cybersecure?

The transition to online classes reveals new vulnerabilities

Caitlin Colucci • July 9, 2020

This story originally appeared in AWOL’s Spring 2020 magazine. See the full magazine here. An American University professor was hosting his “American 1990s” class on the video conferencing tool...

New housing landscape, hybrid classes as AU preps for semester during pandemic

AWOL and The Blackprint search for answers as AU reveals fall semester plan

Chloe K. Li and Braeden Waddell • June 18, 2020

American University unveiled its new plan Tuesday with the goal of transforming the fall semester into a socially-distanced, pandemic-proof experience while salvaging education with a mixture of in-person...