Each semester, American University attracts many public, private, and nonprofit organizations eager to recruit AU students and alumni. AU is committed to partnering and working with organizations to understand their unique recruiting needs and outreach efforts.

The fall recruiting process will again welcome many prospective employers, including the US military to our campus to recruit students and alumni. At AU, we’re extremely proud of our veteran and military-affiliated students and appreciate the experience and intellectual diversity they bring to our campus. 

Earlier this year, the secretary of defense issued Directive-type Memorandum (DTM)-19-004, which prohibits transgender individuals from serving or enlisting in the military. This policy and the upcoming recruitment season are an opportunity to educate our community about AU’s nondiscrimination recruitment policies and our commitment to inclusive excellence.

American University policy and the District of Columbia Human Rights Act expressly prohibit discrimination based on protected traits, including gender identity and expression, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy or parenting, age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information, or any other bases under applicable federal and local laws and regulations. 

Employers who come on campus to recruit American University students must follow institutional policies, including those prohibiting discrimination, and AU’s policies on nondiscrimination in recruiting. While the US military’s current policy conflicts with AU’s values and our policies prohibiting discrimination, the university is compelled by a federal law known as the Solomon Amendment to allow military recruiters on campus. To ban military recruiters would otherwise risk losing access to federal funding, including federal student financial aid and institutional research grants. 

American University, therefore, expects the US military to continue recruiting students on campus. As such, AU will continue to support activities to educate the community about AU’s values and policies, our commitment to nondiscrimination, the protection of freedom of expression and dissent for all members of the community, as well as related issues which arise under federal law or US military policy, including the Solomon Amendment and Directive-type Memorandum (DTM)-19-004.