AU Housing/Living on Campus – Teen Observer Archive

July 13, 2016July 13, 2016

AU community will see more gender inclusive signs on restrooms

American University will increase the number of gender inclusive restrooms on campus and will up the number of signs indicating where they are located, according to a university official.

The university had previously referred to the facilities as family or unisex restrooms,in the wake of a 2006 Washington, D.C. law.

Sara Bendoraitis, 37, the Director of Programming, Outreach, and Advocacy at American University’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion said that 2006 law was the main factor prompting the change in how restrooms were labelled on campus.

“People have the right to use the bathroom that best fits their identity,” Bendoraitis said.

Under that act’s Gender Identity and Expression clause, all public facilities are lawfully required to provide adequate accommodations for individuals who would feel uncomfortable or unsafe using restrooms that are gender segregated. In addition, single-stall restrooms must have gender neutral signs.

Of gender neutral bathrooms on campus, Bendoraitis said they “are not new on campus, and they actually exist in all aspects of our daily lives.”

Although laws protecting gender neutral spaces have been on the books in the district for a decade, the issue gained widespread prominence after North Carolina legislators voted in March to strip transgender individuals of their right to use a public facility of the gender they identify as.

Laura Neumayer, a 19-year-old junior studying in the School of International Service, and Julia Baldwin, 24, studying nutrition, both agreed that American’s decision to classify several restrooms as gender neutral was not surprising.

“AU is notably liberal and progressive, and the student body is very inclusive,” said Neumayer, who worked on a laptop outside the Dav cafe. “They have always tried to be this way, so the gender neutral restrooms have been on campus for a while.”

Some voiced opposition, saying they did not see the necessity of changing the signage on campus.

Carl LeVan, 45, is an associate professor of political science. He believes the university made a courageous decision by updating its signage, but he was unclear as to why labeling restrooms as unisex was inadequate.

Bendoraitis said that although the function of the facilities themselves has not changed, new labels of gender neutral are essential in order for AU to meet the needs of those who may not be comfortable using the traditional single sex restrooms.

Dorm bathroom sign — A sign posted outside a gender-neutral bathroom at an American University dorm encourages inclusion. Photo credit Jennie Yu.

“It is not about the comfort of everybody else,” Bendoraitis said. “It’s about the comfort of that person, and making sure they have access to the facilities that they would like to use.”

July 7, 2015July 7, 2015

Sexual assault on campus

Students and professors at American University interviewed this month shared their opinions on how security measures affect college rape culture and the prevalence of sexual assault on their own campuses and nearby housing in Northwest Washington D.C.

Campus rape is a problem plaguing universities and colleges across the country, and it’s receiving attention from many here. Almost everyone interviewed at AU in July said that the university’s administrative response could use improvement, but noted offenses occur off campus, too.

“I don’t think it’s a campus safety issue because from my experience with it, it’s all been acquaintance rape, date rape, happening at parties,” said Jessica Kowal, a 20-year-old AU student. “It’s not someone walking back to their dorm late at night and someone jumping out the bushes.”

Both Kowal and Carolyn Hamilton, also 20, shared personal stories detailing their dissatisfaction with administrative response. Both say they knew women who had been assaulted.

“It’s very prevalent,” Hamilton said.

But Amy Eisman, 62, who teaches in the journalism division, feels that perhaps the deficiency of effective response is due to the sheer magnitude of the problem.

“My perception is that the university is doing what it can,” Eisman said. “But it’s a huge issue that I’m not sure anybody has a great handle on yet.”

Stalls in every campus bathroom display a poster providing information for victims of sexual assault and contact information for support networks. Many of these posters also include handwritten notes that students have left each other. One scratched out the word “survivor” and wrote “victim.”

A sign posted inside a bathroom stall at American University. Photo by Zoe Searles.

“You are stronger than you know,” one reads.

The University offers sexual assault information on its website. IDs are required for entrance into the dorms, emergency telephone poles can be found every several hundred yards and safety patrol officers are stationed on campus around the clock.

There are peer support groups, of which the students interviewed spoke highly.

These groups are not limited to female discussion; Jaques Foul, 25, said that he doesn’t think males are left out of the conversation.

“I think we’re all responsible if something happens,” Foul said.

July 7, 2015July 9, 2015

AU students and faculty react to campus safety measures

By Emily Boyle — Discover the World of Communication student Naima Fonrose from Laurel, Maryland observes a blue phone emergency system on campus. Photo by Emily Boyle

American University students, staff and summer program attendees expressed both confidence and apprehension about campus safety in interviews this month.

Cassidy Luciano, a rising junior at AU, said she felt comfortable on campus with the various safety measures implemented. Though Luciano has never seen the blue “emergency” towers around campus in use, she has felt comfortable knowing they are present.

Luciano lives off campus but lived in Anderson Hall during her freshman year. While she liked having someone to check IDs at the front desk, Luciano said “sometimes I think they were a little relaxed,” attributing the laxness in the security to being in a “big city.”

Megan Piccirillo, a rising senior at AU, had no complaints about security on campus. Piccirillo noted she consistently finds public safety officers present, front desk monitors in dorms checking IDs and new technology frequently being introduced to the University.

Samantha Dumas, 19, a student at AU, has generally felt safe during her time on campus. Despite this, Dumas said that occasionally, “people are doing unsafe things behind closed doors.” Dumas did feel that resident advisers are “on top” of keeping dorms safe.

Michael Allen, an AU police officer for eight years, thinks public safety at AU has improved over the years, with many new technologies around the campus being implemented to maximize security measures. He pointed out a shelf of pamphlets that read “Personal Safety Apps.”

One of the key safety apps listed was the “Rave Guardian App.” According to Allen, the app connects students with AU police, allows tip texting and sets a safety timer for students traveling between locations on campus.

Assistant Director of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution Regina Curran believes that AU’s public safety is improving drastically.

Curran said 14 new security officers were hired on campus. Curran said there will be a “greater presence” of officers all around AU, hopefully ensuring all students and faculty feel safe around the clock.

Curran additionally explained the function of the blue phones on campus, which “automatically call the dispatcher” and find immediate help for students in emergencies.

July 3, 2015July 3, 2015

Comfort objects help connect to home, family

Students and visitors in the Northwest section of Washington D.C. this week shared some information about their comfort objects, which are objects that help people feel safe.

Dana Foley, 19, from Durham, Connecticut, attends American University and is an orientation leader for the summer.

Her favorite book–and also her comfort object–is The Thornbird by Colleen McCullough.

“I regret not having it now,” Foley said.

Since receiving the book from her parents as a Hanukah gift when she was in eighth grade, Foley has read it innumerable times. Every time she reads the book, she uses a new bookmark. However, she does not recommend McCullough’s book to others.

“It makes it less personal by sharing it,” Foley said.

Will Lee, also an American University student who is from Tenafly, New Jersey, is spending time with his friend who works in the library on campus. His comfort object? His black Lenovo G50 laptop that he’s owned for two months.

Lee described his laptop as a “really good way to unwind.”

He received the laptop as a gift from his father when his old laptop broke. Lee uses it at home for about one to two hours at night after work.

“Everybody loves their laptop, come on,” Lee said.

Tenleytown visitor Kelly Wyndham, from Fort Mill, South Carolina, graduated from American University in 2013 with a major in accounting.

When she was born, she received a white blanket and a Curious George stuffed animal from her grandmother, Lenora, who passed away in 2012.

“I’ll never get rid of them,” said Wyndham, who keeps the two items on a bookshelf in her bedroom.

High school junior John Belisario was born in Baguio City, Philippines, but now lives in Washington, D.C. with his parents and younger sister.

Belisario wears a necklace with a green charm that contains a crab and a silver chain. His best friend, Bilig, gave the necklace to him before he left the Philippines. The gift reminds Belisario of his native home.

When the original thread broke, Belisario kept the charm in a box for about a month. He started wearing it again when he found the new chain. He selected the chain because he could not find anything else, and it appeared sturdy.

Belisario wears the necklace daily. If people ask about the necklace, he will tell them the story behind it.

Tenleytown visitor Isabelle Davidowitz did not identify a particular item as a comfort object, but instead a particular setting: nature.

Davidowitz, who has resided in Frederick, Maryland for six years, enjoys an active lifestyle filled with bicycling, running, hiking, skiing and kayaking. The outdoors in general make her feel safe, but she specifically enjoys the woods.

C.J. Clemente, 16, from Manassas, Virginia, attends a one week ID Tech Camp at American University.

He identified his cell phone that he received from his parents as a Christmas gift as his comfort object.

American University graduate Terrence O’Connor, 21, is looking for jobs in the metropolitan area.

O’Connor began watching the television series Game of Thrones after being introduced to it by his roommate and seeing an interview on The Daily Show with Peter Dinklage, who plays Tyrion Lannister, a character on the show.

In addition to watching the show, O’Connor listens to the Game of Thrones soundtrack because it makes him feel “empowered.”

For O’Connor, watching the series brings back memories of enjoyable experiences and of the moments where he played it originally.

He watches it “more for nostalgia.”

However, O’Connor also enjoys being outside, reading the newspaper, and running in the morning. These activities are included in his daily routine.

It “gives me benefits,” said O’Connor.

July 3, 2015July 3, 2015

Campus summer programs offer future college insights

High school students taking summer programs at American University listed their expectations of their future college experiences as taking challenging classes, meeting people and being busy and tired.

In Fall 2014, about 21 million students were expected to attend American colleges and universities, an increase since 2000, according to the National Center of Education Statistics.

For summer leadership and conference participants on American University’s campus this summer, they are receiving valuable insight into taking classes with college professors and living in dorms without their parents around.

Amy-Beth Hoarty, 17, a participant in the National Leadership Conference, said she has experienced being a part of a community with other students she relates to and connects with. Being in class with people who share her interests made it go faster, unlike her school where she doesn’t really connect with others, she said.

Kelsey Lageraaen, 17, a Long Island native enjoys having an experience different than she would at home.

“There is definitely a more diverse group of people because there is people from different states and countries, so you get to see people’s opinions and ideas based on where they are from.”

This encounter, she said, makes her realize this is definitely something she wants to have at her future college.

Amaris Norwood, 19, said she knew what she was expecting before she got to American University because she did a lot of research. When she got here she was not disappointed; the campus was full of diversity and passionate students, she said.

Norwood said she was surprised by how easy sickness spread in close quarters of the dorms.

“Sicknesses get spread easily,” Norwood said. “Sometimes you forget to eat and then you end up getting sick and passing out.”

Lageraaen feels college is a key part of her future.

“You get a lot of new experiences. It’s the first time for a lot of people being on their own and getting to live with themselves and their friends, so they learn to be independent,” she said.

June 26, 2014June 27, 2014

Bathrooms, AU dorm rooms not “gross”

WASHINGTON — When the students at The American University pack their belongings and head home for the summer, one might think most of the residence halls would sit empty for the summer months, only to see occupants again when August rolls around.

But from the moment finals end, a new kind of student prepares to move in for the summer. This new student is as young as 13. This student is eager to learn and ready for the college experience. From future news anchors to the computer programmers of tomorrow, AU houses them all.

Scenic View — A scenic view of one of one of the older dorms on the AU campus. Photo By William Peters

With its location just minutes from the heart of D.C. and its grounds popping with flowering plants and trees— AU is certified as an arboretum— AU creates an ideal campus environment for its teenaged summer residents.

Students come from all over the world to participate in the many programs AU offers, including Discover The World of Communication (DWC) and National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC).

“The campus is so pretty,” said DWC student Lara Sherris 16. “It’s so nice to just look at. It’s such a friendly and welcoming place.”

Fellow DWC student Lina Gomez,17, said one of her favorite times on campus was sitting on the quad watching the sun set.

“It was seriously so pretty,” Gomez said. “When I first moved in, I was so surprised at how nice the campus was.”

The girls admitted they were a little worried about the dorm’s condition, hearing stories about college wild parties and gross bathrooms. Even Gomez, who attends boarding school in New York, says the bathrooms can get dirty there.

Gomez and Sherris agreed they were pleasantly surprised when they moved in and found clean bathrooms and tidy dorm rooms.

“You hear some pretty gross stuff about dorms at colleges, but I would say, at least in Anderson, everything was clean and nice,” Sherris said.

side view of dormitory — A side shot of Letts/Anderson/Centennial hall at AU. Photo by William Peters

Sherris and Gomez are among the thousands of students staying in AU residence halls this summer as 85 different programs use AU facilities.

“It’s a really good opportunity for people to come and see D.C. for the first time,” said Holly McAloney, a receptionist at the AU housing and dining services. “Summer is a really fun time, it really is.”