Fall is a beautiful time in Washington DC, and students will soon be enjoying the changing colors. At the same time, the chillier, grayer weather of autumn coincides, particularly for new students, with what we call “the red zone.” Stress increases, students start questioning choices, roommate conflicts can escalate, and people may lose patience with each other. It’s part of a developmental trajectory that we see every year, and it makes it all the more important to be conscious of exercise, healthy eating, sleep, and taking breaks. That’s part of why we have a Fall Break Day on Friday, October 13. We know it’s just one day, but it’s an opportunity to step back and relax.

We hope you are looking forward to connecting with your student, whether in person during Family Weekend or in your own special ways. For families that cannot travel, encourage your student to check out our on-campus events while you make plans to join us for our live online events and recordings.

10/13: Fall break (one day); no classes, university offices remain open, halls remain open

10/13 - 10/15: Family Weekend

10/17: Flu shot/Covid vaccine clinic on campus, registration required

10/31: Last day to apply for fall graduation

11/21: Tuesday classes cancelled, Friday classes meet instead

11/22 - 11/26: Thanksgiving holiday; no classes, halls remain open, dining services modified, university offices closed Thursday and Friday

12/11 - 12/16: Fall final examinations, consult with your student before arranging travel

12/17: Fall Commencement Ceremony for August and December graduates

1/16: Spring classes begin

We have been adding new Family Weekend events and activities daily - check out our website to preview the schedule! Your registration helps inform our planning and ensures that you get important details.

Family Weekend happens rain or shine! Rain site locations are on our schedules (online and in print). You won't want to miss the live entertainment for this year's Fall Festival. Live music will be provided by Slick Aguilar — former lead guitarist and music director of Jefferson Starship — and his band. His band members have played on stage or in the studio with Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Hall & Oates, George Harrison, and John Fogerty, among others. 

Can't join us in person? Join us online as we celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Sine Institute of Policy & Politics in conversation with a dynamic slate of thought leaders and influencers, moderated by Jen Psaki. "Reimagining the American Dream" will be live-streamed on Saturday, October 14 at 7:00 p.m. (ET). You'll find the link on our Family Weekend website. We'll share a link to view the recording later this month. 

How is your student guided through the process of choosing courses, declaring a major, finding support to meet academic challenges, and ultimately mapping and realizing a unique plan that carries them into the future? Find out what happens to help your student make the most of an AU education.

This session will cover:

1. Early Milestones: Where are your students now?
2. The Path Ahead: What is next for your students?
3. Staying on Track: What's available at AU to help students thrive?
4. Partnering with Families: What can you do to help your student succeed?

​In advance of this session, you may find it helpful to review the range of resources available through the Office of Undergraduate Education and Academic Support Services.

​We invite you to submit questions with your registration or email to [email protected].

American University’s changemaking president Sylvia Burwell is among the Washingtonian’s most powerful women in DC. Featured in the October issue of the magazine—on newsstands now—the list celebrates 169 of the most influential women shaping government, business, education, law, median, nonprofits, and the arts.

The Business and Entertainment (BAE) Program at Kogod was launched in 2013 by entertainment industry veteran John Simson. The program has been named to Billboard's 2023 Top Music Business Schools List, which recognizes the best entertainment programs across the globe.

What DC university has unfettered access to pastoral landscapes? None, beyond American. According to alumni Neil Kerwin, SPA/BA ’71; Bronté Burleigh-Jones, Kogod/BS ’91, Kogod/MBA ’93; and Michael Scher, SOC/BA ’08, WCL/JD ’13, Kogod/MS ’19—architects of the 18-month Airlie Vision and Action Plan—the historic Virginia estate is a key asset “differentiat[ing] American University from its competitors.”

From October 9-15, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group are slated to hold their Annual Meetings in Marrakech, Morocco. But what actually happens at the Annual Meetings? What topics get discussed? To get a clearer picture of the importance of the Annual Meetings between the World Bank and IMF, we asked SIS professor Randall Henning to answer a few of our questions.