American University of Rome

The American University of Rome
Established	1969
Type	Private, independent, not for profit, liberal arts university
President	Andrew Thompson (acting)
Students	500
Location	Rome, Italy 41°53′09″N 12°27′44″E / 41.8857°N 12.4623°E / 41.8857; 12.4623Coordinates: 41°53′09″N 12°27′44″E / 41.8857°N 12.4623°E / 41.8857; 12.4623
Campus	Urban Via Pietro Roselli, 4
Colors	Green      Silver
Athletics	2 Varsity Teams
Nickname	AUR Wolves (men's) AUR She-Wolves (women's)
Mascot	Wolfie
Website	www.aur.edu/

The American University of Rome (commonly referred to as AUR) is the oldest degree-granting American university in Rome, Italy. The school was founded in 1969, and has an undergraduate enrollment of around 500. The language of instruction is English.

History

AUR has its origins soon after WWII. David Colin, an American journalist in Italy prior to and during the War, settled in Rome. While American students and professors visited Rome, Colin helped foster cultural exchange between Americans and their Italian counterparts. Over time, informal discussions at his home became more formalized turning into structured lectures and classes. His wife, Joan Carpenter assisted Colin with this undertaking. ^[1]

George Tesoro, an Italian who left Italy in 1940 in protest against Mussolini’s fascist regime, began to collaborate with Colin. As the program grew, the American University in Rome became reality when AUR was incorporated in 1969 in the District of Columbia with its academic headquarters located in Rome, Italy.^[2]

Later Development

Upon incorporation, Tesoro served as Chairman until 1983 when Joseph D. Ventura, then Vice Chair, succeeded him. During Ventura's time as Chairman the Board of Trustees became a degree granting institution from the District of Columbia in 1986. In 1987, a member of the Board, Dr. Margaret Giannini, a professional in the scientific and medical research field, became Board Chair and served until 2003. Under her 16 years of leadership, the University grew in its student and faculty numbers, curriculum offerings, and financial and management systems. Dr. Giannini initiated AUR’s first accreditation with the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools in 1992 and planted the seeds for Middle States accreditation.^[3]

After operating from different locations in central Rome for almost 25 years AUR moved to it's current campus in 1993.

Accreditation

The American University of Rome is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The American University of Rome is licensed by the Department of Education of the State of Delaware to award associate and bachelor degrees.

Academic programs

AUR offers eight bachelor's degree programs with 16 concentrations or tracks, two associate degree programs and 18 minors. Internships are available in all majors for course credit and provide a practical format to relate their studies to career interests.

The University's areas of study include:

Associate of Arts Degrees

• Liberal Arts
• International Business

Bachelor of Arts Degrees

• Art History
• Archeology and Classics
• Communication
• Film and Digital Media
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• International Relations and Global Politics
• Italian Studies

Bachelor of Science Degree

• Business Administration

Minors

• Archeology, Art History, The Business of Art, Classical Studies and Classical Heritage, Communication, Economics, English Writing, Film and Digital Media, Finance, Fine Arts, Global Politics, International Business, International Relations, The Italian Business Environment, Italian Studies, Marketing, Social Marketing, Social Science

Campus

The campus is located on top of the Janiculum, Rome's highest hill, offering a spectacular view of the city. Most of its buildings are located on Via Pietro Roselli with the Communications Building, commonly known as Carini building, being located on Via Carini, only a short walk. The campus includes two gardens centered around the main A and B buildings and the Evans Hall Library. Campus computer facilities are located in Building A, Carini building and Evans Hall Library with WiFi areas extending to both gardens and terraces on campus.

• 

  View of AUR main campus A and B buildings.

• 

  Photo of an Evans Hall Library Study Room.

• 

  AUR Evans Hall Library view from outside.

Student Life

The American University of Rome's Student-Faculty Ratio is roughly 17:1. The student body is multicultural and representative of over 30 nationalities .

Students live off campus mostly near the university, giving the opportunity to allow the students to immerse in the surrounding communities.

The AUR community of students and faculty publishes a literary journal of student works called Remus each year. A monthly student run newspaper called "the Howler" is now being published. Other student organisations include Student Government and a variety of clubs such as: Veterans Club, Business Club, Culture Club, Italian Studies Club, and International Relations Club which also organises AUR's Harvard National Model United Nations delegation.

Athletics

The Wolves and She-Wolves are the American University of Rome's soccer clubs which play competitively against Rome's other universities including La Sapienza and Roma Tre University. Both AUR's men's and women's teams were founding members of their respective intercollegiate tournaments; the men's "Campionato di Calcio delle Università Romane" (2005) ^[4]and the women's "Campionato Calcio Feminile delle Università Romane" in 2006. ^[5]

AUR Wolves regularly play against Rome's second American university in what has been dubbed the "American Derby".^[6]

American University of Rome Abroad (AURA)

The American University of Rome hosts a number of study abroad students but also promotes the opportunity for resident students to study abroad from AUR using the AURA program. Through a partnership with the CUNY-CSI Center for International Service, students can study in the United States (College of Staten Island), China (Nanjing University and Shanghai University), Denmark (Danish International Studies Program), Greece (American College of Thessaloniki) and Ecuador (Catholic University of Guayaquil and the University of San Francisco de Quito). Students may also take advantage of options in the United Kingdom (Middlesex University) and Spain (Menéndez Pelayo International University). Study abroad opportunities are available throughout the year, including winter and summer programs.

Notable Scholars and Honorary Degree Recipients

• James Walston
• Parker W. Borg
• Bjorn Thomassen
• David Thorne
• Ronald P. Spogli
• Hage Geingob

External links

• The American University of Rome