Message for the AU community

January 23, 2018

I was deeply troubled to learn that anti-immigrant rights flyers were found yesterday on the American University campus. While we do not believe that the American University community was uniquely targeted, these flyers likely represented part of an international, hateful movement attempting to intimidate immigrant communities throughout the world.

Let me be very clear: we reject hate, bigotry, and intimidation in all its forms and firmly believe that they should have no place at American University or anywhere else.

American University is and has always been a place that welcomes students, faculty, and staff from around the world. As I stated last September, I believe that undocumented students should have access to education on the same terms as all students. American University is fully committed to our undocumented students and will use every legal means at our disposal to offer our support and protection, guided by policies that guard the privacy and safety of every member of the university community. We also strongly urge the nation's leaders to find a long-term solution for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students.

As an institution that takes strong stands on anti-racism, equal rights for all, and preservation of free expression, and one that believes that undocumented students should have access to education, this sadly continues to make American University a target for acts of cowardice and bigotry like these that are disturbingly global. We will stand together strongly against these acts that are intended to frighten and divide our community. They will not.

Sylvia M. Burwell
President