Dear AU Community,

A safe community is our top priority. In addition to our comprehensive, proactive safety approach, a core focus of our work is addressing specific concerns that arise within our community. In times of heightened tension, it is important to provide safe avenues for community members to express their views in ways that are consistent with our institutional policies and that do not create conditions that lead to violence. To support community safety and our commitment to freedom of expression, we want to provide a reminder about our policies and offer guidance for expression through posters and campus protests. Following this update, we will provide more information about our further actions that support the safety and well-being of the community, including communications before the Thanksgiving break.

Postering Policy─No unapproved posters are permitted on campus and all community members must follow the university postering policy. Posters that violate the policy, regardless of content, will be removed by the university beginning Friday, November 17. Moving forward, any posters that do not comply with the policy will be removed on a weekly basis. Future violations of the postering policy will be reported to the appropriate office for action─Student Accountability and Restorative Practices (for student conduct), Human Resources/Dean of Faculty (for staff and faculty), or AUPD (for individuals not affiliated with the university).

No community member should remove or deface any poster. We are investigating incidents of poster defacement, including in some cases with our FBI partners, and they will be addressed through our policies and conduct process.

Concurrent with the application of these policies, we are making policy updates to provide additional clarity and support to the community. More information will follow.

Campus Protests─Community members expressing their views through protest, even when there are disagreements about topics, is an element of freedom of expression and part of our commitment to inquiry and an exchange of ideas. When community members choose to protest, organizers and participants must adhere to university policies, as well as the values and responsibilities we share as members of the AU community. American University policy requires that protests do not disrupt or interfere with classes, operations, normal use of university facilities, or other university-sponsored programs. Expressive activities on campus may be subject to reasonable regulation regarding the time, place, and manner of the activities. Protests that enter academic buildings may be directed outside to prevent disruption of classes. Protest activity should not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic on campus; prevent the free movement of people on campus, including entry and exit from university buildings; or damage university property or the property of others. Violations of these policies are actionable under the student code of conduct or university employment policies.

A safe community that expresses views constructively is a common goal supported by our values, responsibilities, and policies. Thank you for your commitment to our shared safety and our sense of community.

Sincerely,

Vicky Wilkins
Acting Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Bronté Burleigh Jones
CFO, Vice President, and Treasurer

Raymond Ou
Vice President of Student Affairs