Jay Gruber will be American University’s Assistant Vice President of Police Services, Emergency Management, and Transportation, the University announced Thursday.
Gruber comes to AU from Georgetown University, where he held a similar role in its campus public safety department. He also previously worked for the University of Maryland. At AU, he will oversee three distinct University departments: the AU Police Department, the emergency management program and transportation and parking services.
According to the University’s job description for this position, Gruber’s responsibilities include developing and implementing policy for AUPD, recruiting and training personnel and serving as a liaison between the University and the AU community.
This email comes amid President Donald Trump’s demand for an increased presence of law enforcement in D.C., at both the city and federal levels. In Thursday’s announcement from Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Treasurer Bronté Burleigh-Jones the University made its first public statement on the matter.
The statement acknowledged uncertainty felt in AU’s community while emphasizing the safety of AU’s campus and surrounding area in Ward 3. AU has no indication of federal law enforcement activity on or near campus, according to the email.
“Since the federal activity began, we have continued discussions with our contacts at MPD. This engagement will continue as more information hopefully becomes available,” Burleigh-Jones said.
Gruber begins his role at AU on the first day of classes, Aug. 25.
This article was edited by Owen Auston-Babcock, Abigail Hatting and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting.
