Campus is once again buzzing with the energy of our new and returning students. We've started the new year with several new university leaders, transformed spaces, and a series of well-attended welcome events and traditions. It's been a spirited start!

The Family Update will release every other week throughout the academic year to share just some of the ways we are transforming educational opportunities for students, advancing research with impact, and building stronger communities locally, nationally, and globally.

8/22 - 8/31: All-American Welcome

9/4: Labor Day; no classes, university offices closed

9/11: Last day to add a fall course, last day to drop a course with a 100% refund

9/11: Last day to request a health insurance waiver

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

10/13 - 10/15: Family Weekend

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

We enthusiastically welcome you to visit your student and our campus community in-person October 13-15, 2023. We will email you with the registration link next week. You can expect that our signature on-campus programs will be scheduled after noon on Friday, October 13 and before noon on Sunday, October 15. For your convenience, we also list area hotels, directions and other resources to help you plan your visit. You can also check out our special rates for families at the Airlie Hotel.

Flock Talk is a new series where we feature advice from our Eagle Families! What are some things you’ve learned along the way as you supported your student(s) through college? What has your Eagle taught you? What are some things you never thought to ask as a parent, family member or supporter? Do you have general advice to share? Share your wisdom below to be featured in a future Family Update Newsletter!

During this past summer, AU underwent some exciting changes in the Tunnel, the Mary Graydon Center, and Leonard Hall, as part of the Student Thriving Project . These changes are the beginning of long-term efforts to support the AU community with improved spaces on campus that enable students to be successful during their time at AU.

The Department of Performing Arts (DPA) presents its lineup of fall productions from the Theatre, Music, and Dance Programs. Featuring a Chamber Singers concert inspired by an AU Museum exhibition, music by The Go-Go's in Head Over Heels, original choreography from the Dance Program, and so much more.

Tropical storms in southern California. Once-in-a-century hurricanes in Florida. Heat waves baking large parts of North America. Canadian wildfires that blanket American cities with smoke and air pollution. Tornadoes ripping throughout the Midwest. Flooding in the desert. The list goes on. This year’s weather seems anything but normal. But given the realities of global climate change, are these events actually our new normal? AU Professor of Environmental Science Stephen MacAvoy answers our question.

Heather Roselle (BA American studies and studio art ’25) is filled with excitement for the new school year. She serves as the vice chair of the CAS Dean's Student Advisory Council and works as a student manager at AU’s Davenport Coffee Lounge. She also holds positions within the AU Honors program and the Community-Based Research Scholars program, and she was recently granted a research fellowship within the AU Summer Scholars Program. She shares her advice for students just starting out at AU.