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Welcome to the New Academic Year

  1. About AUC
  2. AUC Statements
  3. Welcome to the New Academic Year

September 5, 2021

Dear AUC Community,

The start of a new academic year is always an exciting time. This year is no exception, and is indeed one of the most unique beginnings of a new semester that I have ever experienced. In addition to welcoming over 1300 new students and 36 new full-time faculty to AUC, we are also welcoming back the entire community of students, faculty and staff, many of whom have not been on campus in a year and a half. This is indeed a new beginning for all of us, as we return to the classes, experiences and atmosphere that make AUC such a special place. To everyone – new and returning alike – a very warm and enthusiastic “welcome to AUC!” 

AUC remains a truly international institution. Our undergraduate students represent 33 different nationalities, and our graduate students come to us from 26 different countries. Our full-time faculty is over 50% international, representing 35 countries. At AUC we are committed to the sharing of ideas and viewpoints, and our international makeup helps to foster a true diversity of perspectives. 

As you are aware, many people and teams across the university have been extremely hard at work over the past months putting systems and processes in place to enable us to be safely on campus today. Each and every one of us must play a role in keeping the community safe and healthy. Our exceptionally high vaccination rate reflects this shared responsibility. In addition, we must all continue to take all of the needed precautions, including masking and social distancing. Please also take some time to read our Back to Campus Guidelines, which includes more details on all of the expectations and requirements. I thank each and every one of you for doing your part to allow us to be here on campus today. 

As our communications this summer were almost exclusively focused on our safe return to campus, I did not have the opportunity to share the annual Provost’s End of Year message. Despite all of the challenges, AY 2020-21 saw many achievements at AUC, and I invite you to read about them here. 

I am eager to walk through campus today and in the coming days, and to see the sights and hear the sounds of an active and energized campus. I look forward to seeing you all, and I promise that if I see you without a mask, I will definitely speak to you personally with a gentle (but firm) reminder. As a community let’s work together to usher in an exciting and successful new academic year. 

Sincerely,

Ehab Abdel-Rahman

Acting President and Provost