The Role of the Dean of Students at American University
American University strives to improve its educational and social mission, with the Dean's Office playing a crucial role. This article explores the multifaceted responsibilities of the Dean of Students at American University, drawing upon insights from various resources and perspectives.
Introduction
The Dean of Students at American University holds a pivotal position in shaping the undergraduate experience. This role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, from addressing academic and ethical concerns to fostering a supportive and inclusive campus community. The Dean of Students acts as a bridge between students and the university administration, ensuring that student voices are heard and that their needs are met.
Fostering a Supportive Campus Environment
The Dean of Students is instrumental in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students. This involves:
- Promoting Inclusivity: Supporting inclusive excellence at AU is a core part of the work of every unit and division. The Dean works to ensure inclusivity for minority students.
- Addressing Student Concerns: The Dean's Office provides a mechanism to address issues relevant to undergraduate students, whether of an academic, social, community, or ethical nature.
- Promoting Mental Health and Well-being: The Center for Well-Being Programs & Psychological Services offers individual and group counseling, workshops, referrals, self-help materials, and classes and workshops on topics related to psychological well-being
Academic Regulations and Student Support
The Dean of Students plays a vital role in ensuring students understand and adhere to American University's Academic Regulations. Key aspects of this include:
- Academic Standing: Undergraduate students are considered in Good Academic Standing if they are not on Academic Warning and are enrolled in semester classes, or are eligible to enroll in subsequent semester classes.
- Course Grade Replacement: Degree-seeking students may request a Course Grade Replacement for two eligible courses, taken at American University or through an AU approved program abroad where students receive institutional credit, at any time during their undergraduate study in which they have earned a grade of “C-“ or lower.
- Attendance: Individual instructors may have different attendance requirements; it is the student's responsibility to review each course syllabus and communicate with instructors in advance regarding any reasonably anticipated absence. Students seeking an excused absence for significant or lengthy medical events must provide the Office of the Dean of Students with documentation from a medical or mental health provider.
Student Conduct and Accountability
The Dean of Students is responsible for upholding the standards of conduct within the AU community. This involves:
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- Student Accountability: The Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices (OSARP) oversees the student judicial system, which adjudicates violations of the Student Conduct Code through disciplinary conferences and hearings before the Conduct Council, a community review board of students, faculty, and staff members.
- CARE Network: The CARE Network is comprised of every AU community member and empowers anyone at AU to share concerns about student behaviors. Every member of the AU Community can access the CARE Network by submitting an online form called a CARE Referral.
Collaboration and Leadership
The Dean of Students works collaboratively with various departments and organizations within the university to enhance the student experience. This includes:
- Student Affairs: The departments and units that comprise Student Affairs at AU focus on many aspects of the campus life experience. The Office of the Vice President is responsible for the oversight of the division's departments and the development and implementation of policies and procedures that shape and guide student life.
- Center for Student Involvement (CSI): The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) is the hub for the student experience at American University.
- Kay Spiritual Life Center: Kay Spiritual Life Center is home to a rich array of faith communities and fosters a climate of interfaith understanding and cooperation.
The Dean of Students Advisory Council
The CAS Dean's Student Advisory Council provides valuable input and feedback to the Dean of Students on matters affecting undergraduate students. The council comprises students from diverse backgrounds and academic disciplines, representing a wide range of perspectives.
Members of the CAS Dean's Student Advisory Council
The following students are members of the CAS Dean's Student Advisory Council:
- Maneli Paknejad: Senior neuroscience major, Chair of the CAS Dean's Student Advisory Council.
- Brandon Hensinger: Junior biology major, Vice Chair of the CAS Dean's Student Advisory Council.
- Logan Ashby: Freshman, double-majoring in Economics and Data Science.
- Grace: Works as a gallery attendant at the Katzen museum.
- Moustafa Ashour: Freshman from Egypt, computer science major.
- Fabiana Barcena (Fabi): Dance major.
- Clara Brinkman: Freshman, neuroscience major.
- Sarah Cardona Garcia: Freshman, psychology major on the Pre-Med track.
- Samantha: Junior majoring in Public Health with a minor in International Affairs.
- Ella Guttadauro: Second-year student majoring in public health.
- Evelyn Gutierrez: Freshman, planning to major in Biology.
- Quinn Helfand: Sophomore majoring in computer science and minoring in space studies.
- Eleanor Hoffmann: Freshman, pursuing a major in Art History.
- Allison Hunger: Sophomore majoring in Biochemistry on a Pre-med track with a minor in Justice.
- Gabi Johnson: Junior majoring in Public Health.
- Jeongwon Kim (Ember): Junior majoring psychology.
- Kayla Kosko: First-year student majoring in Health Promotion.
- Amanda Lindsay: Senior majoring in psychology.
- Lucas G. del Rosario: Sophomore majoring in Musical Theatre/Film Studies minor.
- Mariam Malik: Senior studying Psychology and Criminal Justice.
- Allison Marckel: Sophomore double majoring in Pure Mathematics and Statistics.
- Alexis Mercado: Sophomore neuroscience major.
- Zoe Martin: Third-year student pursuing a BS in physics with a concentration in computational physics.
- Will Palmer: Sophomore studying Economics and CLEG.
- Theodora “Teddi” Papish: Sophomore transfer student majoring in Environmental Studies.
- Griselda Perez-Valdovinos: Freshman majoring in Biology with a Pre-Medical focus.
- Anaha Prabhakaran: First-year student double majoring in Data Science & Finance.
- Andi Rubenstein: Freshman studying Public Health.
- Elisha Senga: Freshman, majoring in Neuroscience.
- Ryan Sieve: Second-year student studying African American studies and journalism.
- Caroline Smith: Junior biochemistry major on the pre-med track.
- Emma Spath: Junior pursuing degrees in Philosophy and Sociology.
- Aissatou (Ice-uh-2) Toure: First-year student currently majoring in Public health.
- Ada Truett-Schriber: Sophomore studying Art History and Political Science with a focus on Race and Gender Studies.
- Cooper Unkle: Senior literature major.
- Elsa Waichulis: Sophomore from Chicago.
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