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Office of Student Affairs
The mission of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) is to provide state-of-the-art resources and a congenial atmosphere to a multicultural AUS student body in order to bring about all-around personality development and fulfill students’ educational and personal goals.
Creating a healthy learning environment and enriching learning experiences for students has always been at the heart of Student Affairs’ work. OSA facilitates cultural, social, emotional, physical, ethical and intellectual development of all students so that they may become responsible and effective individuals. Student Affairs engages students in active learning in order to develop coherent values and ethical standards. By providing support, counseling and accessibility, OSA fosters learning and personal development.
Student Affairs makes a positive difference in the lives of students, providing many opportunities for them to exhibit talents leading to personal growth regardless of their backgrounds, stage of life or abilities. OSA advises students on issues related to diversity, adjusting to the AUS environment and developing their leadership skills. It also guides students at every step to enhance their personal growth, providing a variety of quality student services and encouraging them to participate in co-curricular activities that channel their energy in the right direction.
OSA services and programs support the academic mission of AUS by helping students adjust to university life and smoothing their way toward the successful completion of their educational programs. OSA is the main hub for welcoming students and enforces the rules and regulations concerning student life at the university. This office has the moral and legal responsibilities of upholding and promoting the highest academic and behavioral standards among AUS students.
The OSA has four departments: (1) Judicial Affairs; (2) the Advising and Counseling Center, which comprises the following divisions: Career Advising and Placement Services (CAPS), Learning and Counseling Services, and the International Student Exchange Program; (3) Residential Halls; and (4) Student Activities, which comprises the following divisions: Athletics, Student Activities, Community Services and Student Employment. In addition, various committees comprising staff and students offer advisory, advocacy and consulting services. Among others, these include the Student Handbook Advisory Committee, the Student Activities Advisory Committee and the Residential Halls Advisory Committee.
Judicial Affairs
Judicial Affairs is responsible for educating students about their rights and responsibilities and the university rules they must follow. Allegations of misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct are resolved by Judicial Affairs in a manner consistent with the core values of fairness, honesty and integrity. Judicial Affairs is located on the first floor of the Student Center in offices A233, 254–256.
Student Code of Conduct
The American University of Sharjah is a community of individuals living, working and studying together in order to create the ideal conditions for learning. Mutual respect and responsibility are imperative if each individual is to flourish and grow in this environment.
In order for the purpose of the university and its community to be realized, the rights, responsibilities and reasonable standards of conduct essential to a university community must be delineated. The legally established principles, rules and regulations of the university constitute the basic standards and guidelines for conduct on and off campus. The Officeof Student Affairs establishes and enforces those rules and regulations. The basic tenets of these rules and regulations are given below while the full text of the Student Code of Conduct is in the Student Handbook.
PART I
Rights and Responsibilities
a. No member of the university community shall be deprived of academic freedoms, personal rights and liberties without due and fair processes of applicable university regulations.
b. No disciplinary sanctions may be imposed upon any member of the university community under authority of the university without fair and due process provided.
c. Each student has a duty to understand the rules and regulations set forth by the university. Ignorance of a rule or regulation shall not be an acceptable defense by the Conduct Council Hearing Board.
PART II
Code of Conduct
AUS expects its students, wherever they are, to adhere to high standards of honor and to conduct themselves in a responsible manner that brings credit to themselves and the university. The following misconduct is subject to disciplinary action:
a. Physical abuse of any person, including, but not limited to, assaults and abuse on university premises or at university-sponsored events or functions.
b. Physical contact between males and females is strictly prohibited in keeping with the cultural norms of Sharjah and the UAE.
c. Inappropriate dress for both males and females is prohibited. This includes tank tops and clothing that is tight, suggestive, provocative, or exposes the waist.
d. Alcohol and drug violations as definedby university policy and the laws of Sharjah and the UAE. Possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited. This also includes possessing, selling, transmitting or using any dangerous drug, controlled substance or drug paraphernalia on university premises or at university-sponsored activities.
e. Sexual abuse: attempting or making sexual contact, including, but not
limited to, inappropriate touching or fondling, against a person’s will.
f. Conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person on university premises or at university-sponsored events or functions.
g. Theft or unauthorized taking of university property or property of an AUS student, faculty member, staff member or visitor on university premises. This includes knowingly possessing such stolen property.
h. Willful, wanton or reckless damage to university premises or property.
i. In nonacademic university matters, dishonesty or knowingly furnishing false information.
j. Fraud, forgery, alteration or unauthorized use of documents, university records or instruments of identification with the intent to defraudor deceive.
k. Possession or sale of fraudulent, forged or altered instruments of identification on university premisesor at university-sponsored events or functions.
l. Intentional obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary proceedings or other university activities, including public service functions and other authorized activities on university premises.
m. Tampering with or unauthorized or fraudulent use of campus telephones or access codes or falsely using telephone credit cards. This includes accessing the answering machines or voice mail of any other student, faculty member or staff member on campus.
n. Entering or attempting to enter without lawful authority any dwelling, building or facility on university premises against the will of the lawful occupant or of the person lawfully in charge thereof; or, being therein or thereon, without lawful authority to remain and refusing to quit the same on demand of the lawful occupant or of the person lawfully in charge thereof. Entering or utilizing university academic buildings after official university working hours are over without written permission from the dean of that college or school.
o. Failure to comply with published university policies or regulations including rules governing the residential halls, the residential hall contract or regulations relating to use of university facilities.
p. Using, possessing, selling or distributing any firearms,fireworks,explosives or weapons, or possessing any object produced as a weapon on university premises or at university-sponsored functions, or of any other materials or substances that are prohibited by law, with the sole exception of law enforcement officials duly authorized by law to possess fire arms for the performance of their duties.
q. Distributing or posting any printed materials (including in electronic form) in the name of the American University of Sharjah or from any registered organization on campus without the prior approval of the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of Public Affairs and the Office of the Chancellor.
r. Gambling or other illegal or unauthorized games or contests of chance on university premises and in university residential halls or at university-sponsored functions.
s. Unauthorized soliciting or canvassing by any individual, group or organization on university premises or in university residential halls.
t. Unauthorized use of the university’s corporate name, which is the property of the university, by any person, persons or organizations. This includes any off-campus functions, which may not be reserved in the name of the university.
u. Failure to be fully responsible for the behavior of guests during university functions or activities, and on university premises or in university residential halls. A guest is definedas any person who is not a university staff member, student or faculty member.
v. Harassment: conduct (physical, verbal, graphic, written or electronic) or intimidation that is sufficientlysevere, pervasive or persistent so as to threaten an individual or limit the ability of a student to work, study or participate in an activity.
w. Abuse of computer equipment (e.g., computer stalking and harassment, stealing, deleting information, Internet theft or knowingly introducing a computer virus) or gaining unauthorized access to computer resources on campus. Tampering with or unauthorized or fraudulent use of university computers, network systems or computer files as defined by university policy.
(See the university policy on the abuse of information technology at http://www.aus.edu/admin/it/policies/prohibited.php).
x. Failure to comply with the direction of university officials acting in performance of their duties.
y. Violations of traffic laws, including reckless driving and parking in unauthorized spaces.
z. Violations of Sharjah or UAE laws.
aa. Willfully failing to comply with the directions of the university security officials acting in performance of their duties.
ab. Violating the terms of any disciplinary sanction imposed in accordance with the code.
Residential Halls
The main objective of the Residential Halls Department is to support and compliment the mission of the university and its academic programs by creating a comfortable and safe environment that contributes to the success of resident students’ educational progress and personal growth. The AUS residential halls offer a unique multicultural environment in which students from different parts of the world can learn from one another.
Because residential hall living is seen as a positive educational experience, students are encouraged to live on campus. Living on campus complements the overall learning experience by fostering independence and tolerance of others in students.
The university offers a variety of rooms at different rates. All residential hall rooms have Internet and direct telephone connections. In addition, the residential halls offer students many resources, including study rooms, computer labs, dining areas, recreational areas, TV rooms, laundry facilities and fitness centers. The Women’s Welcome Center, located in front of the women’s residential halls, features a hair salon, a TV room/ reception area and a mini-mart. Living on campus is encouraged because it allows students to make the most of what AUS has to offer, such as sports and dining facilities, the library and laboratories. Furthermore, it gives students convenient access to the many activities that take place during the day and in the evening. The university offers a convenient bus service between the residential halls and other areas on campus.
The residential halls for male and female students are completely separate. All hall residents are expected to spend every night in the halls, unless they have written authorization from their parents or guardian indicating otherwise. To ensure the security of all students, the residential halls are protected by security patrols. Residential halls staff members are available around the clock for the safety and comfort of all residents. Regulations for the residential halls are available in the Student Handbook and on the university website.
The residential halls also offer resident students part-time employment opportunities. Students are selected semester-wise for two positions: desk attendant and resident assistant. These jobs provide students with a chance to gain valuable work experience and also develop their communication and leadership skills.
Advising and Counseling Center
The following divisions of the Officeof Student Affairs are overseen by the Director of Student Advising and Counseling.
Career Advising and Placement Services
Located on the mezzanine floor of the Main Building, Career Advising and Placement Services (CAPS) offers students and graduates comprehensive career services to enable them to make good decisions about their future. CAPS works closely with industry in Sharjah and the other emirates in order to promote interaction between potential employers and AUS students and graduates.
CAPS organizes corporate briefings,employerreceptions and the annual Career Fair. It also provides information on full-time and part-time job opportunities, internships and summer employment. CAPS staff members help students prepare for the world of work through career development workshops, one-to-one interviews, drop-in sessions, career assessments and other activities. Advice on working abroad is also available. CAPS has a career resource library and is constantly updating its database of employers in the UAE and Middle East.
International Student Exchange Program
The International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) office is located on the mezzanine floor of the Main Building.The ISEP facilitates exchange programs between universities abroad and AUS. This includes international students coming to AUS to study, as well as AUS students going to study abroad for a semester or a year.
Learning and Counseling Services
For most students, their time at American University of Sharjah represents a significant period of transition. Although change can be exciting, it also requires adjustment, which can sometimes be difficult. Learning and Counseling Services (LCS) offers support services to enhance the success of students. The staff members of LCS are dedicated to assisting students in their pursuit of academic and personal growth, helping students gain a better understanding and appreciation of themselves and supporting students as they make important decisions about their lives.
The services help students achieve their educational goals, learn the processes of problem solving and decision making, enhance their capacity for satisfying interpersonal relationships, define their career goals and maximize the ability for continued emotional growth beyond their educational experience.
Learning and Counseling Services offers a variety of services to students, as described below. Students may choose to include any member of their family or other significant persons in the process.
Individual Counseling
Counselors allow students to explore any academic or personal problems or concerns they may be experiencing. Examples of common issues that bring students to the LCC include adjusting to university life, study skills or time management issues, confusion about life or career goals, identity concerns, relationship conflicts, depression, anxiety, grief and loss. The counselors are prepared to deal with a multitude of issues or concerns. Students who have been counseled at home or off-campus may also wish to continue with counseling at the university. Students are encouraged to identify personal goals, to develop coping skills and to generate solutions to current difficulties.
Self-Help Resources
The LCC has extensive self-help resources on many subjects in the form of handouts, books, videos and links on its section of the university website. Topics include coping with stress, depression, sleep disturbance, loneliness, anxiety, eating disorders, grief and loss, substance abuse, relationship building, assertiveness, career choices, study skills,
concentration and memory, motivation, time management, test-taking strategies and more. These resources can help students understand issues they are facing and are often used alongside individual counseling.
Student Workshops
Throughout the academic year, workshops on topics such as time management, study skills, communication skills, anxiety and stress management, anger management, alcohol and drugs, eating and body image concerns, and more are presented for AUS students. Workshop topics and dates are advertised around campus, or students can call to learn about future workshops. Students are encouraged to contact the LCC with ideas for future workshops.
Consultation Service
Private consultation is available for faculty, staff and students who would like advice about how to help a student through a difficult time. The LCC counselor will give advice on how to help the individual or will refer an appropriate service.
LCC staff members recognize and respect the diverse backgrounds, experiences, values, beliefs and abilities of each and every student with whom they interact. Counseling through the Learning and Counseling Center is strictly confidential. The information shared with a counselor will not be disclosed to another individual or organization without the written consent of the student. Services are free, voluntary and available to all undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at AUS. Appointments may be arranged by calling 515 2790 or 515 2792, or by visiting the LCC on the first floor of the Student Center (offices A202–204 and A206–208). More information on LCS can be found at www.aus.edu/osa/counseling/.
Division of Student Activities
This division is responsible for providing various opportunities for the all-around development of students through its state-of-the-art facilities and resources.
Sports and Athletics
The AUS athletic facilities are available for the benefitoftheentireAUS community. The Sports Complex fosters the continuing development of collegiate sports in the UAE through organizing and hosting athletic championships, symposia and training courses. Students, staff members and faculty members are entitled to free participation, regardless of their abilities, in a variety of sports and leisure activities including football, basketball, badminton, handball, volleyball, table tennis, tennis, squash, track and field games,self-defense sports and other athletic pursuits.
The Office of Student Affairs believes that students should have ongoing opportunities to develop their talents through a wide variety of sports. To achieve this goal, full-time and part-time coaches and trainers are available to help students develop team play, sportsmanship and healthy lifestyles. More than 20 activities are available, featuring both team and individual sports and leisure activities, which offer broad-based competitive and instructional programs for both genders.
AUS Sports Complex
The Sports Complex facilities include indoor sports courts (basketball, tennis, squash and volleyball) and multipurpose halls for use in both organized sports and free recreation; a 50-meter swimming pool; saunas; a fitness center with free weights and exercise machines; an exercise hall for aerobics and self-defense events; outdoor courts (tennis, volleyball and basketball); a soccer field;acricket practice net and ground; and a gymnastics hall. Details on the university’s athletic facilities are available in the Student Handbook and at www.aus.edu/osa/athletics/.
Student Activities
AUS students are active in governing and shaping campus life. The Student Activities Office, located in the Student Center, plays an important role in providing students with extracurricular opportunities that allow them to gain leadership experience and develop their intellectual curiosity. The Student Activities Office supports the student population through various programs and services, creating an environment that extends beyond the classroom and encourages students’ personal growth. Under the supervision of the Student Activities Office, students are encouraged to organize many events that offer cultural entertainment to the entire university community. These events include the Global Day festivities, Club Fair, music nights, poetry nights, competitions, the UAE National Day celebration and many more. Visit www.aus.edu/osa/activities/ for details
Orientation to Student Life
Prior to the registration period at the beginning of each semester, the Office of Student Affairs,through the Student Activities Office, conducts an orientation-to-university-life program for all new students. The program is aimed at helping new students adjust to AUS, meet other new students and speak with senior students who assist with the orientation program. Orientation includes campus tours, meetings, lectures, a reception and other relevant activities.
Student Center
The Student Center plays a broad role in the extracurricular life of the university. It houses the Student Activities Office and is alsoacom fortable and inviting place where students relax. The Student Center contains several meeting rooms, student lounges, a women’s lounge, the Student Council office,offices for student organizations, activity rooms, a TV room, multipurpose rooms, the Internet Café, a student courtyard, a full-size eight-lane bowling alley, the Leopard Mini-Mart, a barbershop, a pharmacy, a travel officeandnumerousfood outlets. Students can surrender found items or look for ones lost at the Lost and Found based at the Student Center reception desk.
Student Organizations
Student-sponsored organizations are an integral part of the learning process at most institutions of higher education. The academic experience is enriched by participation in activities that allow students to pursue their personal interests outside the classroom.
The Student Activities Office is the central support for the numerous student organizations on campus. Its role includes supervising and providing assistance with program planning and implementation. The organizations at AUS span a wide range of interests, including sports, music, literature, recreation, culture and social issues. There are also many cultural/ethnic/national organizations that reflect the varied backgrounds of AUS students. These organizations offer students opportunities for leadership development and for involvement in university life. Student organizations have easy access to all the facilities they may need to plan, organize and implement their activities. Each organization has access to an office thatisequippedwith all necessary tools to conduct their business. Conference rooms, meeting rooms and a multipurpose room are also available for student organizations’ use.
Interest-oriented and ethnic/national clubs represent the diversity of the AUS community’s professional and extracurricular interests and cultural backgrounds. They organize numerous professional and cultural activities throughout the academic year and play a vital role in fostering a rich multicultural environment on campus. For a complete listing of student clubs, visit www.aus.edu/osa/activities/clubs_orgs.php.
Participation in student organizations is strongly encouraged. Students are also encouraged to form organizations/clubs that promote their interests and hobbies.
Student Publications
Practical writing experience is available to AUS students through three student publications, the Leopard, Realms and Tatra. Students interested in contributing to or working on these publications should contact Student Activities for further information.
The Leopard Newspaper: “A Reason to Roar”: The Leopard is an officialuniversity newspaper and a voice of AUS students. The leopard is the official AUS mascot and was chosen because the UAE preserves and protects the Arabian leopard, which is currently on the brink of extinction.
Realms: This magazine was founded as a literary outlet for AUS students. Realms gives all students a chance to read the stories, poems and essays of their classmates, as well as to contribute their creative work. Realms aims to foster an interest in creative writing and literature and to help students view the English language as a means of expressing their thoughts and feelings and not merely as an academic tool.
Tatra: This literary magazine club motivates the Arabic-speaking students of AUS to write poetry and prose in Arabic for inclusion in Tatra, which is published in Arabic every spring semester. The club also organizes events and meetings concerning Arabic literature to discuss the latest books published in Arabic, as well as various workshops on Arabic calligraphy and writing
Student Council
His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi strongly encouraged AUS students to establish a student government in order to ensure student representation on campus. A Student Union Charter was drafted by students and approved by the Administrative Committee of the Board of Trustees during the 1997–1998 academic year.
The AUS Student Council is an elected body that articulates student views and interests in the university. The Student Council is a vehicle for ensuring that students can have a voice in formulating university priorities and policies. It also provides a structure for greater student involvement on campus. The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs advises the Student Council.
Student Employment
Opportunities for on-campus employment are available to all AUS students. Working on campus enhances students’ awareness of their surroundings and helps them learn new skills outside the classroom. Students gain hands-on experience while working in various departments on campus. This helps in honing their job-related skills and gets them accustomed to an office environment.
Students may work no more than 15 hours per week (60 hours/month). Students may work for 40 hours per week (160 hours/month) during academic breaks and summer sessions only. Hourly rates vary depending on what kind of job the student is doing (i.e., clerical or computer-related) and on seniority. In addition to working in the university departments and campus outlets and facilities, students can work voluntarily off-campus during exhibitions and important events in UAE. This kind of part-time job helps students put theory into practice and get to know the outside world. Further information on all campus employment opportunities is available through the Student Employment Office located in the Student Center (offices A249–251).
Community Services
AUS Community Services is a link between students and the various needs found in society. Community Services allows students to experience first-hand the value of serving others through charity, awareness and outreach programs. It involves them personally in community events that enrich their life experiences. Community Services coordinates a variety of volunteer programs and strongly encourages students to contribute to the development of new ones. Current volunteer programs are listed in the Student Affairs section of the university website and in the Student Handbook. Students who are interested in learning more about these programs should visit the Community Services Office located in the Student Center (offices A249–251), call 515 2794 or send e-mail to communityservices@aus.edu.
The Community Services Officeis the primary agent for providing access for AUS students who have physical disabilities. The officeworkswith those who have temporary or permanent disabilities in order to promote their full participation in academic programs and on-campus activities. AUS promotes a barrier-free environment. Students who need further information should contact the Community Services Office in the Student Center (offices A249–251),call 515 2794 or send e-mail to disabilityservices@aus.edu.
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