Six Institutions Invited To Join Association Of American Universities

Six universities have been chosen to join the Association of American Universities (AAU), the highly prestigious organization of leading research universities that was founded in 1900.

The six institutions are:

• Arizona State University;
• the George Washington University;
• the University of California, Riverside;
• the University of Miami;
• the University of Notre Dame; and
• the University of South Florida.

With the addition of these six research universities, AAU’s membership now totals 71 institutions – 69 American and two Canadian universities.

Membership in the AAU is by invitation only and is based on an extensive set of quantitative indicators that describe the breadth and quality of a university’s research and education. AAU membership is a status coveted by major U.S. institutions because it is considered to be the pinnacle recognition of the stature of a research university. It’s a very exclusive club.

“We are very proud to have these six distinguished universities from across the United States join AAU,” said AAU President Barbara R. Snyder, in AAU’s announcement. “We are particularly proud that two of our new members – Arizona State and UC Riverside – are designated as Hispanic-serving institutions because significant shares of their student bodies are individuals from Hispanic backgrounds, and that UC Riverside is also an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution.”

Snyder added, “We look forward to working with all of these universities to continue advancing higher education and laying the scientific foundation that helps keep our economy strong and our nation healthy and safe.”

The leaders of the six universities expressed their gratitude and enthusiasm over the recognition.

“From deep space to deep in the oceans, Arizona State is a university designed for discovery, interdisciplinary research, and innovation,” said Arizona State University President Michael Crow. “As one of the fastest-growing research enterprises in the United States, we are focused on solving society’s greatest challenges, and we are excited to be part of the AAU.”

“The George Washington University has a long and distinguished history of academic leadership at the nexus of research, scholarship, policy and service, and the vital distinction of membership in the AAU reflects GW’s rapidly growing impact locally, nationally, and globally. We are proud to join the AAU in the shared mission of advancing research and scholarship that addresses the world’s most urgent and vexing challenges,” said George Washington University President Mark S. Wrighton.

“We are honored that the existing AAU members have invited UC Riverside to join their esteemed ranks,” University of California, Riverside Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox said. “This achievement is a credit to the faculty, staff, and students at UCR, both past and present, whose commitment to academic excellence is allowing us to deliver on the promise of what a great 21st century university can be.”

UC Riverside is the eighth University of California campus — joining Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, UCLA, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Santa Cruz — to be chosen as an AAU member.

“There are special moments in the life of a university that not only reward our hard work but, more importantly, reaffirm our strategic vision and time-honored mission,” said University of Miami President Julio Frenk in his institution’s news release. “Today is a great day for all of us who love and support the University of Miami and who have invested our efforts and hearts in its continuous quest for excellence.”

University of Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., said, “our mission at Notre Dame is to be a preeminent research university, provide an unsurpassed undergraduate education and to have all we do informed by our Catholic mission. We are honored to be invited to join the AAU, heartened by the AAU board’s recognition of our progress as a research university, and we look forward to participating in this august organization.”

"The University of South Florida is honored to accept an invitation to become an AAU member and join the most prestigious association in higher education. This is a historic and momentous achievement for USF. Especially when considering we were founded in 1956, to now officially be recognized by our peers as one of America’s leading research universities is a shining example of our university community’s determination, innovative spirit, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Reaching this milestone only strengthens our ambition to improve lives and positively shape the future of our society,” said University of South Florida President Rhea Law.