In the past, when we told people we go to AU, they'd say, "Oh. Where's that?" But with the school's steady improvements, people are starting to respond instead with, "Oh, I hear that's a good school."
Some students complain that President Benjamin Ladner, who received the second highest salary of any D.C. private school president in 2003, is overpaid. His salary is still a bit outrageous, but there is no denying that diploma values have been increasing under his 15-point plan. Last fall, the school rose from No. 99 to 86 in U.S. News and World Report's annual ranking of the country's best universities.
One of the most visible improvements is the Katzen Arts Center, which will finally open in the fall. Katzen will offer the school a little diversity and bolster the now-small percentage of the student population who isn't training to be president of the United States or secretary general of the UN. We have faith in director and curator Jack Rasmussen, who has already begun reaching out to students through his blog.
The university's handling of music downloading has been commendable for its level of student involvement. It was a good idea for Housing and Dining to poll students for their opinions on the Ruckus trial last spring.
The program failed, but that only sent the administration on a search for something students would like better. Now student leaders are testing and making recommendations on a variety of music and movie downloading programs. This is a fair way to come up with another music service to try.
Not only is AU improving its campus programs, but its classes are raising the bar, too. The Communication and Social Change class that examined the impact of the baseball stadium in Southeast brought AU into the city.
Up here in Northwest D.C., AU has the benefit of being in one of the city's wealthiest areas with the lowest crime rate in the District, according to MPD reports. But it's good to expand into the rest of the city, a dynamic and diverse place that's perfect for learning.
Students sometimes complain that Bender Library doesn't offer a wide selection of books and that many of the volumes on the shelves are ancient. But who goes to the library for books anymore?
The most powerful part of a modern library is its databases, and AU's library has invested thousands of dollars in useful databases that offer more information than miles of bookshelves. Even though it might take a while for students to discover them, the extra databases mark a great decision on the part of the library and will prove extremely useful.
We encourage AU to keep doing what it does well, and to continue to improve student involvement in the administration's decisions.
Last spring many students were dissatisfied when the athletics department suddenly cut the golf and tennis teams. Many cried for earlier notice or more student input in the decision. We're hopeful AU administration can simply open up more communication with students.
But that means students have to be willing to communicate and cooperate with administrators.
The interaction between the two groups is already working on some levels. Students did a good job pressing for a Pura Vida coffee shop in Mary Graydon Center to replace Auntie Anne's pretzels and the administration listened to a group of vociferous students who fought for Pura Vida, proving that persistent communication can pay off.
AU is off to a great start with its summer planning and we're eager to see how proposed improvements pan out.
