Sections - AWOL

AU Antiracist Center aims to rebrand, rebuild

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?

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?

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

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’

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?

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

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...

58 Resident assistants sign letter demanding AUPD reforms and an end to relationship with MPD

Braeden Waddell, Grace Vitaglione, and Chloe K. Li • June 9, 2020

Resident assistants are demanding that Housing and Residence Life end their relationship with the Metropolitan Police Department, provide 24/7 access to community health professionals for residents and...

Black Lives Matter: How to amplify Black voices and support Black people

AWOL • June 3, 2020

AWOL’s editorial board has agreed that as a predominantly white newsroom based at a predominantly white institution, our goal right now should be to amplify black voices. Below, we have compiled a list...