American UniversityAU Campus Democracy Coalition

Purpose

The CDC is dedicated to strengthening student democracy at American University and enhancing the advocacy power of the American University Student Government (AUSG). Despite AUSG’s previous recognition as a highly impactful student government, it experienced a significant breakdown in democracy and a loss of student faith, leading to a decrease in its national ranking.

Strategy

The CDC aims to redefine AUSG by addressing its institutional flaws. This involves promoting fair representation, efficient organization, constructive communication, unity in serving student interests, and political sustainability. The focus is on reforming the institutions that led to the collapse of campus democracy rather than solely assigning blame.

Impact

The CDC has played a crucial role in reviving student faith in AUSG and in the broader campus democracy. By supporting candidates who advocate for institutional reform and student empowerment, the CDC has influenced the trajectory of student governance at American University.

Looking Forward

The CDC is committed to building a robust Coalition of AU organizations focused on empowering students to be their own best advocates. This will be achieved by:

• Conducting research into the historical role of student governments, advocacy organizations, and student rights, emphasizing the importance of instilling democratic values from a young age.
• Standardizing student rights across U.S. colleges, beginning with AU.
• Advocating for democratically-elected students to be placed on AU’s Board of Trustees with voting powers. This effort aims to position American University as a model for student representation, inspiring students at other institutions to democratize their learning environments.