Our writing on Campus Culture explores the people, places, and things that shape student life at American University. Whether it’s highlighting events, unpacking trends, or the local campus furry celebrity, this section keeps a pulse on AU’s quirky, nerdy, wonk culture.
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Songwriters Hub Spotlight #1: Alizeh
Avid readers of The Rival American might recognize the name on the byline of this article as a regular satire writer for the paper. But my real passion is music, which, frankly, has kept me sane these past few years, but has also been isolating, as AU doesn’t have a real music community – or
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10 Things to Watch During Sex: AU Edition
If you’re reading this article, odds are your attention span is completely fried. Don’t take it as an individual failing; the modern world, full of screens and devices competing to grab your attention, has left our generation with the concentration capabilities of an excitable toddler. We’re suffering for our dependence on technology in all aspects
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AU Majors: Smash or Pass
On a campus obsessed with, but rarely having, sex during the infamous month of love, I thought I would share an inclusive guide to which majors at American University are safe to smash, and which you need to pass. If I passed on your major, keep in mind that it’s not you, it’s me. But in
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Student Organization Speaks Out As AU’s Epstein Scandal Receives Silence From Admin
On February 4, 2026, dozens of AU students gathered outside the School of International Service (SIS) to protest the continued employment of Professor Earl Wayne.
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What’s The Full Story on Professor Earl Wayne?
Editor’s Note: The following article may be triggering due to the graphic nature of the allegations it discusses. RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline can be found here. Additional resources can be found at the bottom of the article. Research is primarily based on the Epstein files released January 31, 2026 by the Department of Justice