American University

American University AU or American is a private research university in Washington, D.C., United States, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, although the university's curriculum is secular. The university was chartered

 by an Act of Congress on February 24, 1893 as "The American University," when the bill was approved by President Benjamin Harrison

AU was named the most politically active school in the nation in The Princeton Review's annual survey of college students in 2008, 2010, and 2012. The university has six schools, including the School of International Service  currently ranked 8th in the world

 for its graduate programs and 9th in the world for its undergraduate program in International Affairs by Foreign Policy, and the Washington College of Law. As of 2016, roughly 7,710 undergraduate students and 5,230 graduate students are currently enrolled.

 The present structure of the university began to emerge in 1949. The Washington College of Law became part of the University in that year, having begun in 1896 as the first coeducational institution for the professional study of law in the District of Columbia. Shortly

 thereafter, three departments were reorganized as schools: the School of Business Administration in 1955 subsequently named the Robert P. and Arlene R. College

 of Business Administration and in 1999 renamed the School of Business the School of Government and Public Administration in 1957; and the School of International Service in 1958.

In the early 1960s, the Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency operated a think tank under the guise of Operation Camelot at American University. The government abandoned the think tank after the operation came to public 


attention. political was furthered by President John F. Kennedy's Spring 1963 commencement address. In the speech, Kennedy called on the Soviet Union to work with the United States to achieve a

 nuclear test ban treaty and to reduce the considerable international tensions and the specter of nuclear war during that juncture of the Cold War.

From 1965 to 1977, the College of Continuing Education existed as a degree granting college with responsibility for on  and off campus adult education programs. The Lucy Webb Hayes School of Nursing provided undergraduate study in Nursing from 1965 until 

1988. In 1972, the School of Government and Public Administration, the School of International Service, the Center for Technology and Administration, and the Center for the

 Administration of Justice subsequently named the School of Justice were incorporated into the College of Public and International Affairs.

The University bought the Campus in 1986 to alleviate space problems. This would later become Campus.

In 1986, construction on the Sports and Convocation Center began. Financed with $5 million from and named for Saudi Arabian Trustee , the building was intended to update athletics facilities and provide a new arena, as well as a parking garage and office space

 for administrative services. Costing an estimated $19 million, the building represented the largest construction project to date, but met protest by both faculty and students to the University's use of  name on the building due to his involvement in international arms trade.

In 1988, the College of Public and International Affairs was reorganized to create two free-standing schools: the School of International Service and the School of Public Affairs, incorporating the School of Government and Public Administration

 and the School of Justice. That same year, construction on the Sports Center completed while the Affair controversy was at its height although his name remained on the building until after defaulted on his donation obligation in the mid to late 1990s.

 Formerly the School, Campus is located half a mile east of the main campus, and was purchased by American University in 1987 specifically for the Washington Semester program. Campus is currently under construction to become the new law school. 

 Campus used to be home to the Washington Semester and Washington Program students, though students enrolled at AU can also elect to live there. During the summer, the residence halls are used to house students in the Washington Semester - Summer 

Internship Program. Administratively, Campus is home to the main offices of: the School of Professional & Extended Studies, including the Washington Semester Program; University Marketing and Publications; and the Lifelong Learning Institute.
Residence Halls.

 AU has over 240 recognized organizations on campus, ranging from political and social . The Student Union Board SUB a part of the Student Government, is  oldest student run organization. Since 1963, the SUB has arranged big name concerts and live

 entertainment for AU. Acts have ranged from the Grateful Dead to Ben Folds. Past acts include Bob Dylan, Andrew WK, Phantom Planet, , Ben , Jimmy Eat World, , Stephen Lynch, Jim , Snow Patrol, , Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, and . SUB also screens free second run movies for the AU community, known as SUB Cinema.

AU has eight student-run media organizations. These media organizations are governed by a Student Media Board and are funded through the university's undergraduate student activity fee.