Housing & Dining ProgramsDecember 2014

2014-2015 Important DatesMonday, December 15

Fall Semester Final Exams End

Wednesday, December 17Residence Halls Close at 12pm for Winter

Break

Sunday, January 4Residence Halls Open at 3pm for the Spring

Semester

Monday, January 12First day of Spring 2015 Classes

Monday, January 12Information and Applications Available for

2015–2016 Housing

Tuesday, January 26Spring 2015 Meal Plan Change

Requests/Cancellations due

Friday, January 302015-2016 Housing Applications due at 5pm

(no exceptions)

Sunday March 8 - Sunday March 15Spring Break (Halls Remain Open)

Wednesday, May 6Residence Halls close at 12pm for

Undergraduates

Sunday, May 10Summer Student Housing Move-In begins at

3pm

Saturday, August 15Summer Student Housing ends at 12pm

Wednesday, August 26Residence Halls open at 9am for Returning

Students

Dear Campus Residents,

In August, it seemed like winter break was so far away, but here we are! As you leave campus to head home to spend time with family and friends, we are hopeful that you will return energized and ready to take on the spring!

This is our final newsletter to all campus residents for the fall semester and hope that these monthly messages have kept you connected to what's happening in Housing & Dining Programs. I invite you to read these updates with interest as there is important information about leaving campus for those students returning next semester, as well as those that will not be returning.

If you have any questions about what is written in this message please contact your Resident Assistant, your Resident Director or our Main Office staff at x3370 or housinganddiningprograms@american.edu.

Chris MoodyAssistant Vice PresidentHousing & Dining Programs

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RHA UpdateWith the semester wrapping up, RHA is excited to celebrate its achievements from this semester and has already begun to plan for next semester! This month:

- RHA has passed new legislation to increase the transparency of our finances. Check out our website, aurha.org, to see our budget published online for the first time ever!- Over the course of the semester, RHA has financially assisted every Residence Hall and Residential Education organization as well as several other organizations on campus and we plan on working with more organizations and student leaders in order to give back to our residents- Diversival happened very successfully. We saw over 300 people come through and every organization involved were more than happy with the turnout. We hope to continue this event.- Thanksgiving dinner for residents on campus went great! We had over 60 residents stop by!- We are looking forward to Hall Wars next semester as well as our co-sponsorship of Founder's Day with SG!

Email: info@aurha.org with any questions

Housing & Dining Programs

Happy Holidays from Student Advantage‘Tis the season of…travel. Save money and affordably arrive home for the holidays with an American University ID with Student Advantage —benefit from exclusive travel discounts at Amtrak, Greyhound, and Lyft. Order your AU ID with Student Advantage by visiting this site to order online www.studentadvantage.com/au. If you would like additional information on the program, please contact Student Advantage directly at 1-800-347-7554.

Student Advantage Discounts Available for AU Students:

Greyhound – 20% OFF Standard Fares Lenovo – Save up to 25%Dormify – Save 10% OFFChoice Hotels – Save 15% OFF room ratesRiteAid.com – $15 OFF orders of $75 or more Target.com – $7 OFF any purchase of $70 or moreTopshop – Get 10% OFFHotels.com – Up to a $100 rebate

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ADD STUDENT ADVANTAGE TO YOUR AU ID CARD HERE:Enroll Online: www.studentadvantage.com/au

Using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover.

Housing & Dining Programs

Winter Break Residence Hall Closing Instructions

If you are returning to the same room after Winter Break…Remember to secure or take home valuables, and take items such as medications, plane/train tickets, and passports if you need them over the break. You will not be able to access these items once the halls close. The last person out of your room before Winter Break should make sure:

1. All appliances and electronics are UNPLUGGED.

2. Refrigerators are unplugged and defrosted. Place towels beneath, and in, the refrigerator to catch any melting water.

3. All trash and debris are removed from the room, surfaces are cleaned, and floors are swept and vacuumed. Pests love winter break goodies.

4. Windows are tightly closed and LOCKED.

5. Curtains/blinds are left OPEN, except the terrace level where curtains/blinds should be closed.

6. Heat is left ON and turned to LOW.

7. All lights, including vanity lights, are turned OFF.

8. Doors are locked and dead-bolted.

Residence hall staff will be entering resident rooms during the closing period to verify that these actions have been completed.

Residents who will be living in the same room for the Spring 2015 semester should keep their room key and/or mail key for next semester. Do not return these keys to the front desk.

For additional information regarding closing procedures, visit our website here.

The halls will re-open for the spring semester on Sunday, January 4th at 3pm.

If you are moving out of campus housing or switching rooms on campus…

Preparing Your Room for Check Out: Make sure that the floor is "broom clean," that all surfaces are wiped down, that all original furniture is in the room, and that you have removed all of your belongings. The light should be turned off, air set to low and curtains or blinds open (except for the terrace level). Trash should be brought to the trash location designated on you floor.

MicroFridge and LockBox Rentals:If you have rented a MicroFridge or LockBox unit for only one semester, the unit should be left inside the student room for pick up by the vendor. If your MicroFridge or LockBox is left outside of the room and taken as a result, the student is responsible to the vendor for all charges related to the appliance.

Check Out Procedures: You have two options available to you for check out:

1. Express Check Out – The easiest way to check out. Simply return your keys to the desk and sign your Room Inventory Form. By electing this option, you waive your right to appeal any damage charges that may be assessed to your room. 2. Standard Check Out – By electing standard check out, you will have an RA physically go to your room with you and walk you through the check-out process. Consult with your RA to set up an appointment prior to your departure or find out procedures for your hall.

Damage Charges: You are responsible for any damages noted during the inspection of your room upon checking out. Damages not previously noted on your Room Inventory Form (RIF) will be billed to your student account in late December and a copy of the damages will be sent to your AU email address. Please note: If you choose Express Check Out, you cannot appeal these charges. If you Check Out by Appointment, you may appeal the charges at the time of your check out and upon receiving you University bill up until mid-February.

You must return your keys if you are checking out of the residence halls. Failure to return keys will result in charges up to $120. Keys not returned upon check-out cannot be mailed back to the residence hall.

Housing & Dining ProgramsDecember 2014

4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Anderson HallWashington, DC 20016

(202) 885-3370www.american.edu/housing

housing@american.eduFollow Us!

Winter Break Housing ApplicationsWinter Break Housing is available for current residents on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will only be considered from 12 noon, Wednesday, December 17, 2014, through 12pm (noon), Sunday, January 4, 2015. Applications are being accepted on a roll in basis (american.edu/ocl/housing), priority deadline is December 1st. There is a one week minimum stay and a daily charge of $45.00 per person per night for this service.

The last day for on-campus residents to receive mail and packages for the Fall 2014 semester is Tuesday, December 16, 2014. The last day to pick up mail and packages is December 17 at 12:00pm (noon). Items not picked up by December 17, 2014 will be held until the spring semester or returned to the sender. Please contact housing@american.edu with any questions.

Last Day for Fall Mail & Package Delivery

Treat yourself with the perfect service for a new semester at AU. Soapy Joe’s offers weekly wash-and-fold laundry services with pickup and delivery at your residence hall. All wash and fold laundry has a 24-hour turnaround time, while dry cleaning has a 48-hour turnaround time. For more information visit www.SoapyJoes.com/au or call 1-888-6979 x2.

A Holiday Gift That Keeps on Giving!

Resident Assistant Information Sessions1/14/15 from 3-4PM in Anderson Conference Room1/19/15 from 10-11PM in Anderson Conference Room1/20/15 from 7-8PM in McDowell Formal Lounge1/21/15 from 9-10PM in Letts Formal Lounge1/22/15 from 8-9PM in Nebraska Formal Lounge

Program Associate Information Sessions1/14/15 from 2-3PM in Hughes Formal1/15/15 from 6-7PM in Anderson 3K/3rd Floor Lounge1/19/15 from 7-8PM in Anderson 3K/3rd Floor Lounge1/21/15 from 10-11PM in Anderson Conference Room1/22/15 from 8-9PM in Letts Formal Lounge

YOU CAN BE TOO.I AM RES ED.

THINK ABOUT IT.

PA & RA INFO SESSIONS START IN JANUARY

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RESOURCEFULPhoto courtesy of AU Photo Collective via Maria Lewis

Want to be an RA or PA?Attend in information session in January to learn more!