Frequently Asked Questions
The drop-down menus below include answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about student involvement at American University. Have a question that doesn't appear on this list? If so, email us at studentinvolvement@american.edu.
What is the Center for Student Involvement?
The Center for Student Involvement, formerly known as Student Activities, is the hub for the student experience at American University. The office, located in MGC 271, facilitates leadership development, organizational advising, and programs that help foster a sense of belonging for the next generation of changemakers. CSI is home to Student Government, Student Clubs, Student Media, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and Graduate Leadership Council. Visit CSI’s homepage to learn more.
What are the Center for Student Involvement’s office hours?
The CSI office is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Have a question after business hours? Email studentinvolvement@american.edu.
What events are the Center for Student Involvement responsible for during the academic year?
CSI organizes the signature late-night programs during All-American Welcome, including Late Night Breakfast, Culturefest and Quad After Dark. The office hosts additional late-night and weekend programming throughout the school year, including Founder’s Week. CSI also hosts the fall Student Involvement Fair, during which student organizations host an opportunity for new and returning students to meet-and-greet with student clubs, fraternities, sororities, and involvement opportunities with over 150+ recognized student organiztions. For more information, dates, and involvement opportunities, take a look at the CSI Student Organization Portal ENGAGE.
Which CSI adviser do I contact about ...
Student Clubs: DaVanta Parker and Maura Fox
Student Government Executive Board: Asa Mack
Programming Boards: Alexis Fuentes
Student Media: Maura Fox
Fraternity & Sorority Life: Nadir McCoy
Graduate Leadership Council: DaVanta Parker
What is Engage?
Engage is the Center for Student Involvement Student Organiztion portal. ENGAGE allows members of the AU community to find student organizations and discover events happening on campus, and interact with over 200+ student organizations. CSI recognized student leaders can use ENGAGE to manage organization rosters, create events, conduct elections, manage finances and much more. Simply sign into ENGAGE using your AU Portal username and password, and explore what American University's student organizations are up to!
How do I use Engage?
Engage is a very user-friendly platform. But to help you navigate the portal, we have created a handful of tutorial videos that explain how to complete a variety of tasks in Engage, including signing in, searching for organizations, searching for events, creating events and creating purchase requests. To see all of the tutorials, visit the Center for Student Involvement's Engage page.
What is the Corq app, and why should I download it?
Corq is a free app that syncs with the Engage platform. It allows you to browse student organizations and discover and share events using your smartphone. Corq is available for download via the App Store and Google Play.
Where can I find a list of all AU student clubs?
A full list of active AU student clubs can be found on the Engage platform. Use your AU ID credentials to sign into Engage, then search through the organization list.
How do I start a new student club?
First, search the full list of active AU student organizations via the Engage platform to see if the organization you had in mind already exists. There’s a good chance it does. If so, join! If not, visit the Student Clubs page to learn more about starting a new club.
How can I find out about student club events?
We realize it can be a pain to follow student clubs on various social media accounts to keep up with their events. But the Center for Student Involvement offers a one-stop shop to learn all about what student organizations are up to. The events page on the Engage platform allows you to track all of the student club events happening on campus. You can also download the free Corq app, which works in tandem with the Engage platform. Corq allows you to browse student organizations and discover and share events using your smartphone. The app is available for download via the App Store and Google Play.
What is the Student Activity Fee?
The Student Activity Fee is a mandatory, non-refundable fee paid each term by all full-time undergraduates, including Washington semester students, part-time matriculating undergraduates and matriculating graduate students, except students of the Washington College of Law. Student Activity Fee funds are authorized solely for the support of student engagement programs that benefit the campus community. The funds are disbursed by student governance groups, including Student Government, AU Club Council, Student Media and Graduate Leadership Council. For more information, contact your adviser.
How do I manage my organization's finances?
All student organizations manage their finances using the Engage platform. Visit the Center for Student Involvement’s Club Finances page for step-by-step instructions on how to access your club’s account.
How do I make a purchase for my organization?
Visit the Club Finances page and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to access your club’s account. Once you reach your club’s finance page, click on the blue “Create New Request” button at the top right and choose “Create Purchase Request.” Then complete the form and hit “Submit Request” at the bottom.
Can my organization purchase alcohol?
No. Student Activity Fee Funds cannot be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco, drugs or weapons.
My club is organizing an event on campus. How do we reserve space?
Space reservations are made using 25Live, AU’s event scheduling platform. For more information about space requests, visit the University Event Scheduling page.
What is HOME?
HOME is the Hub for Organizing, Multiculturalism & Equity. It serves as a collaborative space for multicultural communities and allies. Located on the third floor of Mary Graydon Center, HOME is open to all AU students who strive to create a sense of community and belonging. To gain access to the lounge, students must complete this form.
Is my club allowed to use American University’s logo?
The use of the AU logo, word mark, and signatures is restricted to AU colleges, departments and administrative units. Student organizations may use the logo, but cannot not in any way change the logo, word mark or signatures. Guidelines for logo usage can be found at this link.
How do I get involved with club sports?
Club sports are sponsored by the Department of Athletics & Recreation. For more information, click here.