Announcements

2020 Archives

LAU President Michel E. Mawad Makes his First Statement to the Community

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In a candid letter to the LAU community, Dr. Mawad contemplates the future of the university and the task ahead. Read his full message.

Passing of the Baton Ceremony

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On September 25, Dr. Joseph G. Jabbra welcomed Dr. Michel E. Mawad to the presidency of the Lebanese American University.

Fall 2020 updates

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Yesterday We Healed, Today We Mourned, Tomorrow We Build.

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In light of the unfortunate explosion that shook our capital, we hereby renew our promise to rise again, only stronger, and more focused, and with a bigger heart. Yesterday we healed, today we mourn, tomorrow we build. For donations, please visit: https://www.laumcrh.com/donation

Message from the President

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Dear Colleagues and Friends,

LAU, much like the rest of the country, is still pondering with sadness the enormity of the disaster that has befallen Lebanon yesterday. Our hearts and prayers go to the victims and the injured as well as their families. Our solidarity and sympathy with all who have suffered from this catastrophe are only matched by our resolve to do all we can to help our country and community rise from under the debris, and heal as quickly as possible.

The depth of the abyss we have experienced yesterday will scar all of us for a long time to come. Surrender, however, has never been part of what LAU stands for and never will be. The LAU Medical Center – Rizk Hospital has been helping hundreds of cases many, very serious. Our medical teams and health care providers worked tirelessly all night under strenuous conditions exacerbated by the damage our hospital buildings have sustained. Health care assistance continues round the clock led by our health providers. 

What matters most, however, is the safety of all of our LAU family. We have reached out to as many of our faculty and staff as possible to offer assistance. If you need any support at this time, please contact immediately your immediate supervisor and we will do all we can to help.

Many have reached out to us asking about our safety and campus conditions. Our Beirut campus sustained some damage and several of our facilities have been temporarily decommissioned pending repairs assessment. Repair works have already begun.

LAU is heartened by the wonderful cohesion of our community that came together and acted as one big family where the “one for all and all for one” maxim was movingly visible. With the full support and encouragement of our Board of Trustees, LAU will always be at the forefront of such a scene solidly committed to serving our society and relentlessly devoted to its welfare. This, after all, is our mission and the very core of our values.

LAU will be closed until August 10 while we work in earnest on restoring priority operations. Our Medical Center (LAUMC-RH) will continue to be a hub for the hundreds who need medical help and we will surely keep you apprised of all subsequent developments having a bearing on our operations.

As we have always been, we are one with our university family and broader community, feeling its pains and sharing its difficult moments. All LAU resources are mobilized to this end as we stand firm by our commitment to serving society and keeping the glimmer of hope aglow.

Please keep well and stay safe with your families and loved ones.

With gratitude,

Joseph G. Jabbra, Ph.D.
President

Michel E. Mawad, M.D.
President-Elect

 

Condolences

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In this day of mourning we extend our condolences to those among us who have lost relatives and friends and wish a full recovery to those who have been injured. LAU campuses are closed through August 10 as the administration revises academic deadlines (such as registration, deposits, etc.) and prioritizes the university’s next actions, with everybody’s safety in mind. We will continue to reach out via this space, the announcements webpage, and email, as new decisions are made.

LAU switching to “strictly essential-services” mode

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Emergency Financial Aid Fund

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Gradual Reopening of University Offices

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LAU Presidential Succession

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LAU’s Board of Trustees elects Dr. Michel E. Mawad as LAU President effective October 1, 2020.

COVID-19 Updates

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Academic Update

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Dear students,

It is becoming evident that the interruptions due to the COVID-19 crisis will continue beyond the end of the Spring 2020 semester. Therefore, as promised in my previous message, I would like to inform you about a number of important academic decisions that the Council of Deans took last Wednesday, March 25 with the approval of President Joseph Jabbra to offer you flexibility, alleviate your anxiety about exams and grades, and most importantly allow you to focus on your learning and well-being.

  1. Flexible Grading System for Undergraduate Courses: Undergraduate students will be able to choose the Pass/No Pass (P/NP) as a grading option, on a course-by-course basis, by the withdrawal date of April 30, 2020. Otherwise, the default letter grading system will be applied. As defined in the University’s undergraduate academic rules and procedures, an NP grade indicates a failing performance, i.e. equivalent to a grade of F, in courses taken on a P/NP basis. No credits will be added to the student’s record, nor will the average be affected. It has no quality points.

    You will soon receive a form to select which course(s) you would like to be graded as P/NP.

Read on to see the rest of the nine new academic measures.

  1. Flexible Grading System for Graduate Courses: All students will be able to choose the P/NP grading option for any graduate course taken this semester as well, on a course-by-course basis, by the withdrawal date. Otherwise, the default letter grading system will be applied. The NP grade for graduate courses indicates a failing performance, i.e. equivalent to a grade of C- (C minus) or below.
  2. Scholastic Standing: The final grades of the Spring 2020 semester will not have any impact on students’ scholastic standing. This semester will be treated as a grace semester not impacting suspension, probation, or academic recognition. 
  3. Repeating Courses: The course repeat rules defined in LAU’s undergraduate academic rules and procedures will be suspended for the Spring 2020 semester.
  4. Class Attendance: The student attendance regulations defined in the University’s undergraduate academic rules and procedures will be waived for the Spring 2020 semester.
  5. Lab, Clinical, and Studio Courses: Most of these courses could not be entirely delivered using online methods. Therefore, these courses will resume in an intensive manner once the campuses are accessible. If the semester ends before students are able to complete these courses, an incomplete grade will be given to all students registered in these courses.
  6. Thesis Defense: Graduate students will be allowed to defend their theses virtually, e.g. through WebEx, considering the current lockdown. In addition, the required two-week prior thesis defense announcement will be waived.
  7. Online learning survey: A survey was sent to assess the online learning experience in each of your courses. We appreciate your complete and objective responses to the surveys to help us improve your learning experience. 
  8. Revised Spring 2020 Academic Calendar:  The academic calendar for Spring 2020 has been modified as follows:
    Thursday, April 16 Deadline for Incomplete grades (from fall 2019)
    Thursday, April 30 Last day for withdrawal from courses for spring 2020 (WP/WF)
    Last day for selection of the P/ NP grading option on a course-by-course basis
    Friday, May 15 Spring 2020 classes end
    Monday, May 18-Saturday, May 30 Spring 2020 final assessment period (Eid El Fitr expected to be May 25-26)

To allow for more flexibility, faculty instructors will consider using different modalities/tools for final course assessment other than the typical final examinations.  If online final exams are to be given, they must be administered during the final assessment period set in the academic calendar.

Finally, a new webpage under the Provost’s Office website, Student Tips for Academic Success during the COVID-19 Crisis, has been put together to help you improve your online learning experience and guide you to available resources to learn while at home. Again, we sincerely understand how disruptive and frustrating all of this has been for you. We never expected that the academic year would have unfolded as such, and the transition to remote learning delivery has forced us all to adapt to a new challenging and unpredictable situation. Nevertheless, we are very proud of your efforts and determination. Together, with your patience and continuous cooperation, we will be able to navigate successfully through this crisis.

Stay healthy and stay strong!  Your LAU community is here for you.

Sincerely,
George Nasr

Message from President Jabbra re LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital Covid-19 Emergency Fund

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No LAU asset is as important to us as the trust and support of Lebanese society. Over a century and a half we have been together working hand-in-hand for a better future.

The Covid-19 menace has placed the patient-care part of our mission under unprecedented stress as can be expected. With the engagement of the Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of medicine, our LAUMC–RH, has been at the forefront of our collective societal response to the virus. Our effort includes readying new hospital floors, acquiring new equipment, stocking on PCR testing kits, and mobilization of specialized personnel. Funding all these pressing needs goes well beyond what our limited resources allow.

To that effect, we are launching a Covid-19 Emergency Fund to garner the resources needed in our challenging fight against the evil Coronavirus. Gifts in any currency will be gratefully accepted and acknowledged online.

We are grateful in advance for your generosity and honored to have you join us in defeating this evil pandemic and providing all Lebanese with a healthier and better tomorrow.

Further details on how you can help can be found on our web page.

For Lebanon you can contact Mr. Saad El Zein - Special Assistant to the President: saad.elzein@lau.edu.lb; mobile: +961 3 121613

For North America you can contact Mrs. Nadya Mikdashi - Assistant Vice President for Development: nadya.mikdashi@lau.edu; mobile: +1 646 420 0706

With Gratitude,

Joseph G. Jabbra, Ph.D.
President

COVID-19 Updates

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LAU’s campuses are operating with essential personnel only, and core services — from classes to admissions — are being offered online. Please visit our COVID-19 website to find the latest measures taken by the university, as well as advice, resources, and contact information.

LAU switches into a strictly-essential-services-only mode

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Dear members of our LAU family,

No priority for LAU matches our commitment to the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff. You are the heart and mind of LAU and your welfare is of paramount importance before any other consideration.

As the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic continues to escalate in Lebanon, the university will move into the appropriate response stage by switching as of the morning of Saturday March 14 into a strictly essential services-only mode and implementing ‘social distancing’ to safeguard further the safety of our LAU family and community.

Essential Services Only

LAU will operate absolutely essential services only, ensuring the continuity of necessary and indispensable services. All divisions and departments will achieve operational continuity by maintaining a minimal number of staff on campus. The rest will be teleworking from home. All department heads and supervisors have been briefed and have been establishing these continuity arrangements. We expect the majority of our staff to work from home and be always reachable online and/or by phone.

It is critical that our community continues to maximize preventive measures during this phase. Please avoid social interactions so that we perform our part in slowing down the spread of the disease for the greater good of our country and the well-being of our loved ones.

Academic Update on Online Courses

On the academic side, LAU continues to prioritize the transition of academic programs to online platforms. Our academic division has already made considerable strides in moving courses online, and have finalized most, if not all, transitions of courses which can be delivered online. Additional messages from our Provost or our academic Deans will be forthcoming as needed.

Business Travel Update

All business travel has been discontinued until further notice. Personal travel requires pre-clearance and approval with the relevant Dean or VP.

Access to Campuses

During the strictly-essential-services-only operations period, and for its duration, the campuses will be accessible to faculty, post-docs, individual students for cause, and staff on duty.

LAU Medical Center–Rizk Hospital Update

Given the severity of the epidemic, LAU Medical Center – Rizk Hospital continues to be fully functional and mobilized. Its COVID-19 testing will begin imminently. A separate ward has been completely sealed off with negative pressure from the rest of the hospital for that purpose.

The strictly-essential-services-only operation will begin on Saturday, March 14, and will continue until further notice with updates as they become necessary through email and through the COVID-19 microsite.

Please do all you can to stay safe and ensure the safety of your loved ones. LAU is there for each and every one of you and so much looks forward to seeing its family united again on both campuses at the nearest possible date.

Thank you,

Joseph G. Jabbra
LAU President

March 21 EEE postponed

As the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic continues to escalate in Lebanon and as the safety of our current and prospective students is of utmost importance to us, the English Entrance Exam scheduled for March 21, 2020 will be postponed. For updates on the revised schedule of EEE and SEE exams, kindly visit the university website on www.lau.edu.lb/apply.

A message to students and parents

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Dear LAU students and parents:

Our top priority is your safety and well-being. While access to LAU is restricted due to the coronavirus outbreak, we will continue to support you remotely during weekdays (Monday to Friday). You can email us your questions on general info about LAU, majors/programs, or about your admission/acceptance file, or about financial aid and scholarships.

For information on:

Currently enrolled students can communicate with the Registrar on:
https://www.lau.edu.lb/registrar/contact.php
registrar.beirut@lau.edu.lb
registrar.byblos@lau.edu.lb

Stay safe.

Suspension of classes through March 15

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LAU will continue to suspend classes and postpone formal in-class exams during the coming week ending March 15 in view of the mounting concern with the Coronavirus outbreak and the need to take all precautionary measures possible.

As such, LAU will be closed insofar as classroom teaching is concerned during said period with the Library and Gym continuing to be off limits to students as well. We will however do all we can to keep as many courses as possible active online and to provide access to course materials through our various online platforms. The office of the provost is the key point of contact in this regard together with school deans and deans of students, who will be communicating with students as needed.

The university will, of course, remain open to faculty, staff and individual students as was the case last week.

LAU is deeply committed to the safety of all members of its family and will always do its utmost to ensure this safety. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and get back to you again if and when needed. Please be safe and exercise extreme caution.

Suspension of classes

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In accordance with the decision made by the Minister of Education and Higher Education announcing closure of all educational institutions including universities until March 8, LAU will suspend all classes, exams, student activities etc., during this week.

The university will remain open to faculty and staff pending further notice. Faculty and staff are kindly advised to exercise extreme caution and take every measure possible for their own safety and their colleagues.