American University
American University (AU) is a university based in Washington, D.C.
The President of American University is Sylvia Burwell.
AU's Plan for Inclusive Excellence
On January 30 2018, American University launched "AU's Plan for Inclusive Excellence."[1] American University "will allocate $121 million over next two years to fund diversity and inclusion-related initiatives..."[2]
- "The President's Council on Diversity and Inclusion co-chairs Caleen Jennings, professor of theater, and Jeff Rutenbeck, dean of the School of Communication, as well as members Kelly Alexander, director of public relations, University Communications and Marketing; Sara Bendoraitis, director of programming, outreach and advocacy, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Office of Campus Life; Tristan Cabello, director of American studies, College of Arts and Sciences; Bridget Cooney, finance project manager, Office of Finance and Treasurer; Deborah DeMille-Wagman, AUx instructor, Office of Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies; Larry Engel, associate professor, School of Communication; Lia Epperson, professor and associate dean for faculty and academic programs, Washington College of Law; Sara Nieves-Grafals, clinical psychologist, member of AU Alumni Board; Alan Kraut, professor of history, College of Arts and Sciences; Lauren Lumpkin, director of diversity and inclusion, AU Student Government; Beth Muha, assistant vice president of human resources; Yamillet Payano, inclusion director, AUSG executive branch and senate undergraduate; Portia Polk, graduate student and School of Public Affairs graduate research assistant; Ammarah Rehman, co-president, Muslim Students Association; Mark Schaefer, university chaplain, Kay Spiritual Life Center; and Thi Nguyen-Southern, associate general counsel, Office of the General Counsel.
The leadership team that worked with President Sylvia Burwell, including: Makeba Clay, consultant; the President's Cabinet, and especially Vice Presidents Fanta Aw and Terry Flannery; Chief of Staff Seth Grossman and Deputy Chief of Staff Brian Chiglinsky; Karen Froslid Jones, assistant provost, Institutional Research and Assessment; and Nana An, assistant vice president of Budget and Finance Resource Center.
All of the stakeholder groups who provided their wisdom and input on drafts of the plan. Those groups are the President's Council; President's Council on Diversity and Inclusion; directors of Office of Campus Life; Faculty Senate Executive Committee; AU deans; Provost Scott Bass; Black Faculty and Staff Association; Staff Council; Alumni Board; Community Conversation; Community Conversation II; student leaders; Faculty Senate; chairs, program directors, and department heads; participants in community conversations led by President Burwell; multicultural alumni (including Black Alumni Alliance, Asian Pacific Islander Affinity, and others); Board of Trustees; and Cabinet. "
Alleged Hate Crime against Student Body President
Taylor Dumpson is a senior at American University served as Student Government President from April 30 2017 to January 2018. During a prestigious TedX talk[3], Taylor Dumpson revealed that shortly after she was sworn in to office, she was the "victim of a racially motivated hate crime."
"An individual hung bananas from nooses in various places around campus," Dumpson explained, "emblazoned with phrases and referenced the sorority of which I am a member and the gorilla that was killed in a zoo." The "hate crime" of which Dumpson resulted in chaos on campus. The local NBC affiliate reported[4] that "the school would allow extensions on final exams for students affected by the racist displays." Additionally, students were informed that AU was "working on a longterm plan that includes an anti-racism center."
Support for Socialist Lee J. Carter
On October 25 2017, "former U.S. Marine and self-described socialist" and member of Democratic Socialists of America[5] Lee J. Carter gave The American University College Democrats a shout out on Twitter: "A big thank you to the @AUCollegeDems for making calls to spread the word about the campaign and information for Election Day."[6]
In 2017, the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America made Lee J. Carter's candidacy for Virginia's 50th House District a "priority."
References
- ↑ AU's Plan for Inclusive Excellence, accessed January 31, 2018
- ↑ American University Introduces a Plan for Inclusive Excellence, accessed January 31, 2018
- ↑ accessed January 31, 2018
- ↑ American University: White Supremacist Threatened Student President After Nooses Found, accessed January 31, 2018
- ↑ Politico, Could America’s Socialists Become the Tea Party of the Left? By ANDREW HANNA and TAYLOR GEE October 01, 2017
- ↑ Lee J. Carter tweet, accessed October 27, 2017