Office of Student Affairs Student Handbook 2018–2019 Office of Student Affairs Student Handbook 2018–2019 Welcome to American University of Sharjah (AUS). We are the best institution where learning in and out of class will promote your holistic development. Student Affairs nurtures your aesthetic, ethical, intellectual, personal, social and talent growth through extracurricular engagement. We offer student support services, facilities and programs that will enable you reach your extracurricular goals. We ease your transition from school to university. We offer a host of opportunities that will support your passion for sports, leadership, volunteerism, cultural or interest- oriented activities, event coordination and management, social awareness, media, humanitarian causes, music, photography and more. Student life at AUS is transformational. You can build your decision- making skills by forming and running clubs and organizations through the Student Development and Organizations department. Participating in student clubs and organizations gets you involved in meaningful activities and programs. Your passion for volunteerism and social and humanitarian causes will be supported by Community Services. Learn about different cultures and traditions through the Multicultural Student engagement is the product of motivation Learning Program. AUS offers a vibrant athletic program. Whether you are beginner or an and active learning. It is a product rather than a sum advanced athlete, we offer training and coaching in multiple sports, and excellent fitness and sports facilities to support these pursuits. Our because it will not occur if either element is missing. sports teams have the opportunity to compete locally, regionally and internationally. Bring out the leader in you by participating in leadership enrichment programs. Our training programs, seminars, conferences, inspirational —Elizabeth F. Barkley lectures and other programs are truly beneficial. Student Residential Life will help you adjust to life in the dorms, with assistance available 24/7. Living in a comfortable and safe residential hall will support your academic pursuits. At AUS, we expect you to maintain the highest standards of behavior consistent with the values of the university. I encourage you to read, understand and abide by the Student Code of Conduct, which is included in this handbook. Participating in out-of-class activities will open a world of opportunities for you. Take the lead and engage in student life! You’ll make many good memories as you advance through your university career. I wish you the best at AUS. Sincerely, Moza Al Shehhi, PhD Dean of Students Introduction AUS is a leading comprehensive coeducational understanding and acceptance of all peoples, university in the Gulf, serving students from the AUS admits students solely on the basis of their American University of Sharjah (AUS) was region and around the world. AUS students are academic qualifications regardless of race, color, founded in 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. introduced to a culture of high aspiration and gender, religion, disabilities, age or national bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the achievement to aid them in leading productive origin. The university’s mission is to create a Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and meaningful lives. AUS is also dedicated to multicultural, international academic community and Ruler of Sharjah, who envisioned AUS as the preservation of the physical environment, in order to prepare its students to become a leading educational institution in the Gulf free from pollution and neglect. This sense of lifelong learners equipped to adapt to the needs region. American University of Sharjah is an environmental responsibility is passed on to AUS of our changing world. independent, not-for-profit, coeducational graduates in order to create ecologically aware institution. Consciously based upon American AUS was established as an “American” citizens. institutions of higher education, AUS is university not only in its formal academic and thoroughly grounded in Arab culture and In keeping with its mission, AUS offers organizational characteristics but also in the part of a larger process of the revitalization of students an education that will enable them to recognition that the total culture and philosophy intellectual life in the Middle East. comprehend the dynamism and complexity of of the educational community is as significant contemporary global processes. Through the as the formal program of studies. Students learn American University of Sharjah has succeeded integration of liberal studies and professional the lessons of the classroom and the lessons in building a multicultural education education, students are given both breadth of of life in a coeducational, multicultural and environment that brings together people knowledge and specialization in their chosen multinational environment. From its inception, from diverse nations and backgrounds. AUS fields. Education at AUS runs the gamut from AUS was envisioned as a place that would “feel” strives to instill in its students the importance art, poetry and religions from past civilizations like an American campus. of appreciating and understanding diversity, to the latest skills and technologies of today’s global issues and their own roles in society. information age. These are all presented to Accreditation and Licensure students in order to produce future leaders with AUS is licensed and its programs are accredited a firm understanding of how society has reached by the Commission for Academic Accreditation its present state. The combination of traditional of the Ministry of Education’s Higher Education and innovative teaching methods provides an Affairs Division in the United Arab Emirates. educational environment in which students can AUS has been accredited in the United States realize their individual potential and pursue their of America by the Middle States Commission goals. on Higher Education (3624 Market Street, AUS is well qualified to meet the challenges Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA, Tel +1 215 662 inherent in preparing its students for life in 5606) since June 2004. The bachelor of science the age of electronic communication, global degree programs in chemical engineering, civil economies, social pluralism and political engineering, computer engineering, electrical interdependence. engineering and mechanical engineering offered by the College of Engineering are accredited by The university offers undergraduate and the Engineering Accreditation Commission of graduate degrees through the College of ABET (www.abet.org). The bachelor of science Architecture, Art and Design; the College of Arts degree program in computer science offered by and Sciences; the College of Engineering; and the College of Engineering is accredited by the the School of Business Administration. Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET While Arabic is the official language of (www.abet.org). The School of Business the United Arab Emirates, the language of Administration is accredited by the Association instruction at AUS is English. All classes and to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business administrative functions are conducted in (AACSB International), www.aacsb.edu. The English. Bachelor of Architecture program of the College Islam is the official religion of the state, and of Architecture, Art and Design is accredited by Arab Islamic culture predominates in the UAE. the National Architectural Accrediting Board The nation is also distinguished by its tolerance (NAAB) of the United States, www.naab.org. toward its large expatriate communities, which comprise diverse nationalities, cultures and religious beliefs. Following in this spirit of 9 1.1 On-Campus Services 11 1.1.1 Banking 11 1.1.2 Bookstore 11 1.1.3 Copy Center 11 1.1.4 Dining 11 1.1.5 ID Cards 11 1.1.6 Immigration-Related Services 11 1.1.7 Lost and Found 11 1.1.8 Mini-Marts 11 1.1.9 Parking 11 1. Services and Resources 1.1.10 Personal Services 12 1.1.11 Pharmacy 12 1.1.12 Post Office and Mail 12 1.1.13 Safety 12 1.1.14 Security 12 1.1.15 Transportation 12 1.1.16 Travel Office 12 1.1.17 University Health Center 13 1.2 Academic Facilities and Resources 14 10 1. Services and Resources 1. Services and Resources 11 1.1 On-Campus Services 1.1.6 Immigration-Related Services Immigration-related services are offered 1.1.1 Banking for students, faculty and staff, including Located on the ground floor of the Main passport custody, medical test assistance, Building, Sharjah Islamic Bank offers and the processing of visas and residence banking services such as checking and permits. For specific details, contact Public saving accounts, ATM transactions and Relations at [email protected]. transfer of funds. ATMs are located at the bank, the Student Center and the Women’s 1.1.7 Lost and Found Welcome Center. The lost and found is located at the Student Center reception desk. Lost and 1. Services and Resources 1.1.2 Bookstore found items are held for a specific period Located in the Student Center basement, of time. After the holding period expires, the bookstore sells all required textbooks, the procedure for disposing unclaimed other books, art supplies, stationery, items goes into effect. notebooks and other general gift items. 1.1.8 Mini-Marts 1.1.3 Copy Center The Sharjah Co-Op Supermarkets provide a The AUS Copy Center is located on the large variety of grocery items, fresh fruits ground floor of the Main Building. It serves and vegetables, and other household faculty, staff and students by providing a items. One outlet is located in the Student variety of quality and reasonably priced Center; a second outlet is located in the document reproduction services. The Women’s Welcome Center. center also offers professional binding, lamination, stapling and other related 1.1.9 Parking services. Parking lots, free and paid, are provided 1.1.4 Dining for faculty, staff, students and visitors. Vehicles must be registered with the Office Many restaurants, coffee shops and snack of Protocol and Security, which is located services are located in the Student Center. Most of these outlets offer a delivery on the mezzanine floor of the Main service.