Messages from the President
May 12, 2013
I write to brief you on the progress of our search for the next vice president for student affairs and invite you to a forum this Wednesday, May 15 at 1 pm in Moataz Al Alfi Hall to hear from some of those nominated for the position. More
May 7, 2013
The Board of Trustees of the American University in Cairo authorizes the awarding of honorary degrees to recognize individuals who, over the course of their careers, have made significant contributions to the University, the region, or the international community. An honorary degree may be awarded to an individual who has demonstrated the values of excellence, respect for diversity, social responsibility, integrity, and lifelong learning that the University espouses for its community. More
April 14, 2013
I write to announce officially that, after more than a year of preparation, the instructional faculty whose principal responsibilities are in the foundational programs of the undergraduate curriculum are to be gathered together in a new administrative unit, which will be called the Academy of Liberal Arts. More
April 2, 2013
As you know, in February we invited two experienced student affairs professionals from the United States to conduct a review of our Student Life operations. They have now submitted their report and it is attached. As you will see, it includes very useful data, perspectives and suggestions that should guide the work of the next Vice President for Student Affairs as he or she extends AUC's tradition of student engagement and co-curricular learning. More
January 31, 2012
As we begin the spring semester, the weather is chilly and the national mood uneasy, but we welcome the return of the faculty and students — and the 300 new freshmen starting this term. This semester will see continuing administrative reform, as well as new academic and research initiatives. With the completion of the external review of security last semester, for example, we will be working to implement recommendations to enhance the safety and security of AUC’s people and property. In the meantime, let me extend again my admiration and thanks to the security, safety and maintenance staff who have been able to protect our Tahrir and Falaki facilities in the very difficult recent days. More
January 23, 2012
I am pleased to announce that we will be inaugurating a new pedestrian entrance to the New Cairo campus in honor of the late Omar Aly Mohsen, an economics graduating senior, who was among the 79 people killed last year in the Portsaid soccer match. Marking a year since his tragic loss, the inauguration of the gate will be held on Sunday, February 3 at 1 pm. All members of the AUC community are invited to join Omar’s family and friends in inaugurating what will be a lasting tribute to his memory and time at AUC. The pedestrian gate is located between Alwaleed Hall and the School of Sciences and Engineering. More
January 20, 2012
Attached is the final Report to the President submitted by the Special Commission on Conduct that was established to investigate allegations of violations of University policy in connection with the unauthorized closure of the New Cairo campus in September 2012. More
January 6, 2012
I hope the dawn of the new year brings new opportunity and satisfaction to all; this promises to be a busy year here at AUC. As part of our ongoing plans to improve administrative efficiency, I am pleased to announce a reorganization of the senior administrative team. More
December 24, 2012
It is with great sadness that I write about the AUC community's loss with the death of Samer Soliman, associate professor of political science, who passed away on December 23. Before he was on the faculty, Dr. Soliman earned a master's in sociology from AUC in 1997; he was an alumnus as well as a popular and devoted teacher. He earned his BA at Cairo University and his PhD from Sciences Po in Paris. Dr. Soliman was active in the public sphere beyond AUC as well; he was a founding member of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party and the Egyptians against Religious Discrimination Movement. He was an energetic and talented political scientist, a committed teacher, an engaged political activist and a dedicated University citizen. He had a skeptical eye and a ready smile and was deeply devoted to realizing Egypt's great promise — in each of his students and in the country at large.
We will announce after the midterm break a memorial service on campus to commemorate his life and work. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are with his family, especially his beloved wife Mary.
December 9, 2012
I am delighted to report that Ms. Lamia Eid, who is currently the director of the Center of Excellence for the Middle East and Arab Cultures in the AUC Library, will be succeeding Dr. Hanan Sabea as Ombuds on January 1, 2013. More
December 3, 2012
I am delighted to report that Ms. Wendy Scott Keeney has accepted our offer to serve as the next Vice President for Institutional Advancement at AUC. This role oversees our development, or fundraising, efforts as well as our alumni relations and outreach to parents. More
November 25, 2012
I toured the Tahrir Square campus this morning and would like to report on the heroic work being done on behalf of the University by our security, public safety, maintenance and other support services staff. More
November 1, 2012
I am very pleased to announce that Dean Amr Shaarawi has agreed to take up the responsibilities of the provost as of today, November 1, 2012. He will serve through this academic year and the next; we will conduct a search next year for a permanent successor for Provost Haroun. More
October 18, 2012
It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I write to confirm the news that Provost Medhat Haroun died this morning, after a heroic struggle with pancreatic cancer. As announced, the funeral prayers will take place after the zuhur prayer today at Mohammed Mahmoud Mosque and condolences maybe extended Saturday evening at Omar Makram Mosque. More
October 4, 2012
I would like to thank all of you for your commitment this week to getting the University back in full operation as quickly as possible, as we work together to ensure that we can fulfill our obligations to each other and to our larger communities. More
October 1, 2012
It is with mixed emotions that we all return to our offices, labs and classrooms today and tomorrow. Obviously, returning to our home on the New Cairo campus is an enormous relief and resuming the activity to which we are each dedicated is very satisfying. Yet, while we welcome a return to more normal life, it will not be business as usual. The events of recent weeks have damaged the fabric of the community, and as we work to enhance constructive student engagement in the life of the University, we must also work to restore the sense of common purpose without which we cannot achieve our aspirations to be of genuine service to Egypt and of genuine value in the world. More
September 30, 2012
I am pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement to allow for the gates to be opened and the University to resume operations. The campus will be open as of tomorrow morning and courses will resume as normal on the New Cairo campus on Wednesday. More
September 30, 2012
I write to update you on the current status of events and the actions we are taking to resolve the current campus closure as quickly as possible. More
September 25, 2012
Latest Updates on Suspension of University Operations
This message is intended to update the AUC community on the latest developments in the suspension of University operations. The Cabinet has had several meetings with student representatives in the last several days to try to resolve the situation. In many respects, these meetings have been very productive. Among the issues discussed with the students at a meeting organized by the board of the Parents Association were creating a more transparent process for allocating financial aid; improving the administration and use of student evaluations, including introducing mid-semester evaluations and regular dissemination of the results of evaluations; developing more effective academic orientation programs for new and adjunct faculty; strengthening departmental student associations and ensuring regular consultation with the associations by department chairs; further refining and institutionalizing the newly adopted registration reforms; and proposing several models of tuition caps for wider discussion by November 15. More
September 22, 2012
Protest Updates
I write to inform you that after several intensive rounds of negotiations with representatives of the protesting students over the past several days, unfortunately we have reached a standoff. More
September 20, 2012
Students Closure of AUC Gates
The attempt by students to block the gates of the New Cairo Campus has created a dangerous situation in the streets around the campus. Because we cannot ensure the safety and security of our community outside the campus perimeter, we are asking that faculty, students and staff not to come to campus today. Staff who provide essential services for the operation of the campus, including the student residences, will be contacted by their supervisors.
Classes missed today will be rescheduled.
September 17, 2012
One of the hallmarks of an AUC education is the capacity to think critically and to engage civilly in debates about issues of community concern and public importance. In the recent student protests against a tuition increase, we have seen behavior which fails to meet that standard. Inaccurate and illogical claims have been presented as facts; AUC students have been prevented from expressing their opinion by their fellow students; faculty and staff have been publicly insulted and several, including two on-duty security officers, have been physically assaulted.
More
September 6, 2012
New Drop-Add Deadlines
Last spring, to ensure more coherent management of the curriculum and a sounder approach to student assessment, the Faculty Senate adopted a new drop-add deadline, which became effective this semester. The period of late Registration and Drop/Add began August 26th through September 6th. After that date, students were not to add a course (the drop period continues until October 24). More
September 2, 2012
Beginning of Academic Year
Welcome back to the 2012-2013 academic year. I hope you had a rejuvenating summer and a wonderful Eid holiday. As you settle into the first week of classes and the new semester, I would like to share with you some of our plans for the year ahead.More
May 31, 2012
End of Academic Year
As the academic year draws to a close, I would like to share my pride in our collective accomplishments and outline some of our summer plans as we prepare for the next academic year. More
May 8, 2012
President's Catalyst for Change Award: May 13 Nomination Deadline
As a reminder, May 13 is the nomination deadline for the newly established President’s Catalyst for Change Award, which is given to a member of the AUC community (either individuals or teams) whose achievements have helped to advance the University’s institutional priorities. More
April 1
New Director for the AUC Press
Dear Colleagues,
I am delighted to report that, after conducting an exhaustive international search, we will be welcoming Dr. Nigel Fletcher-Jones as director of the AUC Press at the end of this month. Dr. Fletcher-Jones has had a distinguished career in publishing, particularly in science and medicine. He created and implemented long-term strategic and development plans for Pri-Med, Cell Press and Nature, and spearheaded the global reorganization of the Elsevier Science life-science publishing program, contributing to the creation of ScienceDirect, the Elsevier Science online content platform. He also worked at McGraw Hill and Blackwell Publishers after earning his PhD in anthropology at Durham University in 1986. More
February 4
Reminder: Day of Memorial; Tahrir Campus Closed
Dear AUC Community,
As you know, tomorrow, February 5, AUC will observe a day of mourning for the loss of our student, Omar Aly Saad Mohsen, and the many others who lost their lives in the turmoil of the last year. More
February 2
Sunday, February 5 Day of Memorial
Dear AUC Community,
I am deeply saddened to report that one of our students, Omar Aly Saad Mohsen, a senior scheduled to graduate this February in economics, was among the 79 people killed in the tragic soccer match that took place yesterday in Port Said. More
December 27
End of Year Message from the President
Dear AUC Community,
As the end of the calendar year approaches, we reflect on the remarkable year 2011 has been in Egypt, the world and, of course, at AUC. More
December 1
Appointment of First University Ombuds Officer
Dear AUC community,
I am delighted to announce that Hanan Sabea, assistant professor of anthropology, has agreed to serve as the University’s first ombuds officer. More
November 26
AUC New Cairo Campus to Operate Today
Dear AUC Community,
AUC's New Cairo campus will be operating as normal tomorrow, Sunday, November 27; all downtown operations remain closed and there is no bus service to the Mohammed Mahmoud Gate. More
November 22
Three Study-Abroad Students Detained
Dear AUC Community,
I write with updates about current events. Three of our American study-abroad students, Gregory Porter, Luke Gates and Derrik Sweeney, were arrested last night. We are in touch with their families and are working with the U.S. Embassy and the Egyptian authorities to ensure that they are safe. We have been able to determine that they are being held at Abdeen’s public prosecutor's office. More
November 21
Updates on AUC Tahrir Square Campus
Dear AUC Community,
I am happy to report that our detained student Ahmed Abdel Rahim was released a few hours ago.
I'd also like to update you on the current situation on the Tahrir Square campus, which remains closed tomorrow. More
November 20
Recent Events in Tahrir Square
Dear AUC Community,
As you are probably aware, there were disturbances and violent confrontations in Tahrir Square over the weekend and they are continuing today. In light of these recent events, I’d like to update you on several situations, as they unfold. More
November 14
University to Close for November 28 Elections
Dear AUC Community,
Yesterday, we announced the accommodations we will be making to permit our faculty and students to participate in the upcoming national elections and we promised to provide updated information about arrangements for staff. This is that update. More
November 13
Rescheduling Classes For Election Days
Dear AUC Community,
As you are aware, Egyptian parliamentary elections will take place in three rounds over the next several months. Many students and faculty members have expressed the desire to participate—to vote, to observe and to otherwise reflect AUC’s commitment to civic engagement. More
November 3
Update on Recent Events on Campus
Dear AUC Community,
I write to update you about recent events on campus.
Since I became president, less than a year ago, three AUC students have died, most recently Mostafa Mortagy and Maged El Gawish in separate automobile accidents. We have extended our condolences to their families, of course, but I think we should do more. The young people of AUC are our investment in the future — of their family, their university, their country —and we all want them to survive to redeem that investment. I will be working with the Office of Student Development to revitalize the Road Safety campaign that we began when we first moved to the New Cairo campus. Safe, responsible and respectful driving is one of many ways AUC students, staff and faculty can contribute to a better Egypt. More
October 11
Recent Updates on Protest's Agreements
Dear AUC Community,
We continue to work to realize the gains made in the agreements reached last month between the administration, the Student Union and the Independent Syndicate.
More
October 3
Update on Protest's Agreements
Dear AUC Community,
This is the first of our periodic updates on the progress we are making in fulfilling the agreements between the University Administration, the Independent Syndicate and the Student Union. I am pleased to report that we have met all but one of the October 1 deadlines. More
September 25
Update on Antiquities Theft
Dear AUC Community,
Earlier this month, Ken Manotti, vice president for institutional advancement, informed me that he will be leaving the University for a position at the University of Chicago in mid-October. Ken has been a key member of the senior management team and was a major force in the fundraising efforts for the New Cairo campus. Please join me in wishing him well. More
September 25
Seasonal Workers' Agreement
Dear AUC Community,
Earlier this week, 74 security guards who were hired on a temporary basis reached the end of the mandated six months of employment for seasonal work. Unfortunately, we discovered that the guards had never received proper documentation of their work at AUC, a practice that had been going on at the University for some time. As a result, the University agreed to provide two months severance pay, in addition to two months of back overtime pay. Moreover, the University will assist them in creating a dossier that includes a resume, report of background check and proof of employment at AUC, as well as help in their job search process. The Student Union also volunteered to assist them in this effort. You can read the full text of the agreement with them at www.aucegypt.edu/about/agreements.
More
September 19
Post-Protests' Agreements
Dear AUC community,
I am pleased to confirm what you may have already heard, that we have reached agreement on a variety of specific proposals that were put forward by the Independent Syndicate on behalf of several categories of workers, and by the Student Union on behalf of students. The texts of the agreements are available at www.aucegypt.edu/about/agreements. More
September 17
Senior Administration Met with Protesters' Representatives
The University’s senior administration met Monday with representatives of protesters and agreed to a schedule of meetings with each group —landscape workers, custodians and security guards, as well as students— on Tuesday to identify demands that would be discussed in a University Forum on Wednesday with the larger community. More
September 4
A Welcome Note from the President
A warm (very warm!) welcome to all our newcomers and veterans alike as we begin another academic year at AUC.
As we start the 2011-2012 academic year, I am delighted to report that we have greeted a very talented crop of new faculty in fields ranging from solar energy and nanotechnology to theatre arts, entrepreneurship, community psychology, biology, sustainable development, education, anthropology, not-for-profit management and philosophy, and much more. It is a testament to the hard work of the academic leadership —the Provost, deans and department chairs— and to the strength and diversity of our intellectual community that we have been able to recruit such fine colleagues. More
June 30
Ombuds Office to be Established
The spring semester of 2011 was one of the most momentous in AUC’s long and distinguished history, and we have much to be satisfied by as we look back on the University during the 18 days of the 25th of January Revolution, and the ensuing months of political contestation. Our deep and abiding commitment to education that fosters civic engagement and responsible citizenship was redeemed in the embrace of active participation in the debates of the day by our students, faculty, alumni, departments and schools throughout the spring. More
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