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Critical. Subversive. Irrepressible.

AWOL

Critical. Subversive. Irrepressible.

AWOL

Critical. Subversive. Irrepressible.

AWOL

Photo by Shane Matheu Ryden.

Community profile: Berlin Thomas

Savanna Strott, Magazine Director February 24, 2020

It’s a happy Friday at American University. Before our interview, Berlin Thomas smiles proudly behind the cash register as Shane Ryden, AWOL’s multimedia director, snaps her photo. A student walks...

The Future of Black Affinity Housing at AU

The Future of Black Affinity Housing at AU

Jasmine Dean February 24, 2020

For the first time in the school’s history, American University will begin offering a black affinity housing option for students living on campus in the Fall of 2020. Representatives who initiated...

Two AU freshmen shown in social media video using racial slur

Two AU freshmen shown in social media video using racial slur

Talia Marshall February 20, 2020

A video of two women at American University where one, a freshman, used a racial slur circulated widely on social media Tuesday night.  The video shows two women who are newly associated with the university's...

 Dr. Ana Lucio Araujo presents  on the history of reparations before taking questions from the audience.

American University library hosts “Reparations for slavery: History and ongoing debates” event, featuring Dr. Ana Lucio Araujo

Jasmine Dean February 17, 2020

Dr. Ana Lucio Araujo: author, historian and professor at Howard University, spoke to attendees from the American University community Feb. 6 about the ongoing debates and historical significance of reparations...

Washington November DACA Protest

Natalie Harder February 13, 2020

Photojournalist and student Natalie Harder covered Washington's DACA protest on the steps of the Supreme Court in November 2019. Luz Chavez is a student at Trinity Washington University and also a protected...

With the fate of DACA unclear, undocumented students seek legal help

With the fate of DACA unclear, undocumented students seek legal help

Zach Vallese, Fall 2019 Podcast Director February 13, 2020

Luz Chavez didn’t know she was an undocumented immigrant until the week before applying to colleges. As a student in Montgomery County, her dream schools were American University and the University of...

The mobile website for Seeking Arrangements, showing "sugar daddies" on the front page.

Advocate: Being a college “sugar baby” not so sweet

Chloe K. Li, Editor February 11, 2020

Laura Ramirez walked into a room full of other young women at a New York City conference in April 2015. College-aged women were all sharing tips about how to make more money and better connections. Unlike...

Iowa residents caucus for the first time in Washington

Iowa residents caucus for the first time in Washington

Maddi Cole and Dónal Gannon February 10, 2020

Washington political junkies watched as Iowans caucused for the first time outside of their home state on February 3.  For the first time in Iowa caucus history, satellite caucuses were held around...

Women's March on Washington 2020

Women’s March on Washington 2020

Kaela Roeder February 10, 2020

Thousands of protestors gathered for the Women’s March on Washington on Jan. 18, demanding justice on reproductive health, climate change, and immigration.  After facing criticism on the lack of...

Students: University email about mental health services “incredibly dismissive”

Students: University email about mental health services “incredibly dismissive”

Benjamin S. Weiss, Fall 2019 Editor-in-Chief February 3, 2020

American University’s Office of Campus Life added last Sunday to a longstanding controversy between the administration and students over the university’s mental health services. Vice President of...

Profile: Mildred Smart

Profile: Mildred Smart

Grace Vitaglione, Podcast Director January 28, 2020

Mildred Smart has no complaints. “If I tell you I have a problem, I would be lying,” Smart says with a smile. Smart, known as “Patricia” in the workplace, has been working at American University...

Sustainability: The New Fashion Trend

Sustainability: The New Fashion Trend

Ziyi Yuan January 15, 2020

This story first appeared in the Fall 2019 print edition of AWOL.   Joelle Firzli, a trilingual fashion researcher and writer, is the CEO and curator of the sustainable fashion retailing brand...

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