Focus on LAU 2008

Focus on LAU 2008

Lebanese American University Facts and Figures

“LAU is committed to academic excellence, student-centeredness, the advancement of scholarship, the education of the whole person and the formation of students as future leaders in a diverse world.”

About us The Lebanese American University is a private higher-education institution operating in Lebanon under a charter from the State of New York. LAU’s roots go back to the American School for Girls, established in Beirut in 1835 by American Presbyterian missionaries. Officially founded as a women’s college in 1924, it expanded over the decades in tune with Lebanon’s growing educational needs.

Today the university boasts solid academic programs offered by six schools on two campuses in the cities of Beirut and Byblos.

As a nonsectarian institution guided by a deep-rooted sense of shared ethical values, LAU provides access to a superior education for men and women from Lebanon and the Middle East.

LAU is governed by a 25-member Board of Trustees, most of whom are American.

The Board’s makeup ensures that standards of excellence are upheld in every facet of university life. The university has embarked on a five-year strategic plan that underscores academic excellence, and has attained candidacy status for accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Campuses LAU’s campuses are set on hillside locations by the Mediterranean Sea, affording students convenient proximity to almost all areas of Lebanon, and mild weather year round.

Both campuses offer the same curricula in the arts, sciences and business. Junior and senior years in engineering, architecture, and pharmacy programs are completed on the Byblos campus. Free wireless internet access is available to students, faculty and staff throughout both campuses.

The Beirut campus benefits from an urban setting with direct access to the cultural, social, educational and recreational resources of Lebanon’s capital. It is the site of the university’s foundation and the seat of two schools: Arts & Sciences and Business.

The Byblos campus, inaugurated in 1991, has quickly grown to become the seat of four schools: Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering & Architecture, and Phamacy.

In addition, the Schools of Medicine and Nursing will be located on the Byblos campus. Other projected additions to this campus are a new library and a civic center.

Libraries At LAU’s libraries, traditional resources are enhanced by electronic ones.

Approximately 40,000 full-text serial titles, available electronically, put millions of articles at researchers’ fingertips. In addition, students, professors and other users have access to 38,500 e-books. Computer facilities include scanners, printers and 110 public computers. Through agreements with institutions abroad, the libraries secure on-demand materials that are otherwise unavailable in Lebanon.

The Beirut facility has special collections on women, education, Islamic art and architecture, as well as a children’s library that is the largest and oldest of its kind in Lebanon.

* Approximate figures

Academic Programs LAU offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in various fields of study through six schools: 1

School of Arts and Sciences

2

School of Business

3

School of Engineering and Architecture

4

School of Pharmacy

5

School of Medicine

6

School of Nursing

School of Arts and Sciences The School of Arts and Sciences is home to LAU’s oldest programs, which form the core of the university’s liberal arts tradition. It offers the following degrees: Associate Degrees • Associate in Arts (A.A.) in Liberal Arts • Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in: Communication Media, Computer Science, General Science, Graphic Design

Bachelor’s Degrees • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in: Communication Arts, Education, English, Fine Arts, Political Science/ International Affairs, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Graphic Design, Mathematics Education Master’s Degrees • Master of Arts (M.A.) in: Comparative Literature, Education, International Affairs • Master of Science (M.S.) in: Computer Science, Molecular Biology

School of Business The School of Business attracts the largest number of students, who seek the school’s highly professional training for leadership roles. It offers the following degrees:

Bachelor’s Degrees • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in:

Associate Degree • Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in

Master’s Degrees • Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) • Executive Master of Business Administration (E.M.B.A.)

Business Management

Business Studies, Economics, Hospitality and Tourism Management

School of Engineering and Architecture The School of Engineering and Architecture provides a rich academic and professional foundation leading to successful careers in today’s global markets. It offers the following degrees: Associate Degree • Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Interior Design Bachelor’s Degrees • Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.)

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Interior Architecture • Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in: Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering,

Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Interior Design Master’s Degrees • Master of Science (M.S.) in: Computer Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Management

School of Pharmacy The School of Pharmacy’s graduate program is the only one outside the United States that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. It offers the following degrees: Bachelor’s Degree • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pharmacy

Doctorate Degree • Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

School of Medicine The School of Medicine started its operation with the appointment of a Founding Dean in December 2006. In collaboration with Harvard Medical International, the curriculum is being written and faculty recruitment is underway. More than 76 premedical students are enrolled in the undergraduate program. The first class of 24 students will be admitted in September 2009. Construction of the medical school building began in early 2008.

Doctorate Degree • Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)

School of Nursing In September 2006, the Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the School of Nursing.

The first class of students will be admitted in 2010.

Centers and Institutes • Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World • Institute for Banking and Finance • Media Training and Research Institute • Institute of Family and Entrepreneurial Business • Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies • Human Resource Institute • Institute for Peace and Justice Education • Software Institute • Summer Institute for Intensive Arabic Language and Culture • Teacher Training Institute • Urban Planning Institute

• Institute for Water Resources and Environmental Technologies • Cisco Academy Training Center • Institute for Islamic Arts, Architecture and Design • Institute for Diplomacy and Conflict Transformation • Institute for Migration Studies ______________________________________ • University Enterprise Office • Continuing Education Program ______________________________________ For more information, visit www.lau.edu.lb/centers-institutes.

Students LAU’s student body, characterized by diversity and community spirit, constitutes one of the university’s chief assets. More than 70 nationalities—and all of Lebanon’s confessional groups— are represented on both campuses. Student achievements continuously enhance the university’s reputation locally and internationally. Approximately 6,800 students enrolled at LAU in 2007–2008.

Faculty As part of its strategic plan, LAU is raising the standards of faculty qualifications.

Of 196 full-time faculty members, 122 (62%) have Ph.D.s and 10 (5%) have Pharm.D. degrees. The majority of Ph.D.s hold degrees from North American and Western European universities. The faculty body is characterized by diversity: 52% are Lebanese, 22% Lebanese-American, 6% American, and 20% non-American dual nationals and nationals of other countries.

Thirty-seven percent of full-time faculty members are women. The approximate student/faculty ratio on the Beirut campus is 21:1 and on the Byblos campus 17:1 (full-time equivalents for Fall 2007).

Alumni LAU has more than 27,000 alumni around the world. Twenty-three chapters maintain ties with the university and foster networking among alumni in Abu Dhabi, Amman, Athens, Bahrain, Beirut, Boston, Byblos, Damascus, Detroit, Dubai and Northern Emirates, Eastern Province-KSA, Florida, Jeddah, Kuwait, London, Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Oman, Qatar, Riyadh, San Francisco, Toronto and Washington, D.C. Chapters also exist for alumni of the School of Pharmacy and the School of Engineering and Architecture.

Financial Aid LAU has allocated $14 million for financial aid for the academic year 2007–2008.

Assistance is offered in the form of workstudy grants that can be complemented by loans, scholarships and other grants based on each student’s extent of need and academic qualifications. Approximately 1,600 students received financial aid in 2007–2008.

Budget The university’s operating budget for 2007–2008 is $86,063,000. Funding comes from tuition and student fees, private gifts, government grants and endowment income.

Tuition The average undergraduate tuition is around $12,300 per year. It varies depending on the degree program. On average, the annual graduate tuition is $9,600.

Board of Trustees Dr. George Faris, Chairman Mr. Jamil Iskandar, Vice Chairman Mr. Joseph Maroun, Secretary Mrs. Taline Avakian H.E. Amb. Gilbert Chagoury Rev. Ms. Christine Chakoian Mr. Ronald Cruikshank Dr. Charles Elachi Mr. Arthur Gabriel Mr. William Haddad Mr. Wadih (Bill) Jordan Mr. Walid Katibah H.E. Amb. John Kelly Mr. Samer Khoury Dr. Mary Mikhael Ms. Maureen Mitchell Mr. Richard (Dick) Orfalea Mr. Todd Petzel Mr. Fred Rogers Mr. Ghassan Saab

H.E. Minister Mohamad Safadi Mr. Peter Tanous Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Turki Dr. John T. Wholihan Emeritus Trustees Mr. Jose Abizaid Dr. Amal Kurban Mr. Wilbert F. Newton Ex-Officio Trustees Dr. Paul F. Boulos, Chairman of the Board of International Advisors Rev. Joseph Kassab Rev. Dr. Victor Makari Dr. Joseph Jabbra, LAU President Chair of the Faculty Senate

Board of International Advisors Dr. Paul F. Boulos, Chairman Dr. Nadim Daouk, Vice Chairman Mrs. Youmna Salame, Secretary Dr. Raymond Audi Dr. Francois Bassil Mr. Zuhair Boulos Mr. Nicolas Chammas Mrs. Leila Saleeby Dagher Mr. Raphael Debbane Mrs. Eva Kotite Farha Mr. Enan Galaly Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali Mr. Kanan Hamzeh Mrs. Maha Kaddoura Sheikh Fouad El Khazen Rev. George Mourad Mr. Charles Muller Mr. Omar Sawaf Dr. Hanna Shammas Mr. Philip Stoltzfus

Ex-Officio Advisors Rev. Joseph Kassab Dr. Joseph Jabbra, LAU President Chair of the Faculty Senate

Beirut Development Office

New York Development Office

P.O.Box 13-5053 Chouran Beirut 1102 2801 Lebanon Tel (961) 1-786456 Ext: 1323 Fax (961) 1-803658 development@lau.edu.lb

475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1846 New York, NY 10115-0065 USA Tel (212) 870 2592 Fax (212) 870 2762 gifts@lau.edu

Website: www.lau.edu.lb