American University says they aim to “prevent … violence, harassment, and discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy or parenting, age, religion, [and] disability.” However, because adjunct professors have daytime schedules, some courses required for certain majors, minors, and concentrations are only offered in-person from 8:20pm-10:50pm. By requiring students who live off campus to take these classes, American University risks that these students experience violence and/or harassment by requiring them to commute at 11pm. Having to commute so late at night--- either via public transportation, walking, biking, rideshare, etc-- is dangerous in particular for women, those perceived as women, disabled individuals, people of color, and low-income individuals who rely on free transportation. Title IX states that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Courses only offered during this time block, especially those required for majors, minors, and concentrations, exclude women and deny them their education if they value their safety. Institutions with anti-discrimination policies should not force students to choose between education and safety. 

We ask that any courses that are only offered during the 8:20pm-10:50pm time block in any given semester be required to offer a live online and/or asynchronous option so that students living off campus do not have to risk their safety during their commute.