HOUSING & DINING PROGRAMS

Dear Campus Residents, In August, it seemed like Winter Break was so far away, but here we are with only a few short weeks in the semester. I hope you are prepared for your upcoming final exams and papers. I also hope you will participate in study breaks sponsored throughout campus and in your residence halls to stay energized and connected with your community. This is my final e-update 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 they will be very beneficial to you. 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 housing@american.edu. Sincerely, Chris Moody Assistant Vice President Housing & Dining Programs

E-NEWSLETTER FOR CAMPUS RESIDENTS

DECEMBER 2012

2012-2013 Important Dates

(Mark your calendars!)

Wednesday, December 19th Residence Halls Close at 12noon for Winter

Break

Friday, January 4th 2013 Summer Semester Housing

Applications Available

Sunday, January 6th Residence Halls Open at 3pm for the Spring

Semester

Sunday, January 13th Spring Semester Meal Plans begin at Dinner

Monday, January 14th

2013-2014 Housing Applications & Resident Community Cluster Applications Available

Monday, January 21st

2013-2014 RA Applications Available

Tuesday, January 29th

Spring meal plan change requests/cancellations due at 5pm

Wednesday, January 30th Off-Campus Housing Fair

Friday, February 1st

2013-2014 Housing Applications due at 5pm (no exceptions)

Monday, February 25th – Wednesday,

February 28th Room Selection Information Sessions in

McDowell Formal Lounge

Wednesday, May 8th Residence Halls close at 12noon for move-

out for undergraduates

A Message from the One Card Office Start enjoying huge savings now by adding Student Advantage to your American

University ID Card! Student Advantage gives you access to various national and local discount locations. Featured national locations include Amtrak, Target.com,

Greyhound, and the Apple Online Store. Get local discounts at Berkshire Hair Salon, 40% off at AMC Theaters, and Hour Eyes. It only costs $45 for four years of access to

student savings. Visit StudentAdvantage.com/AU to learn more!

Want to learn about the latest discounts and deals available to AU students? "Like" American University One Card on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Are you planning on moving off-campus? Join us for an information session on Thursday, December 6th from 5:30-7pm in the Anderson 3K Lounge. The Off-Campus and Guest Housing Coordinator will be available to help answer any questions you may have about your transition. More information can be found on our website or by emailing offcampushousing@american.edu.

Planning to Move Off-Campus?

HOUSING & DINING PROGRAMS What are you doing this upcoming

Summer Break? It may be freezing outside, but we are already hiring for our Summer Leadership Team for the 2013 Summer. Learn more by vising our website and attending one of our many information sessions. Applications are due January 24, 2013 at 5pm. Visit our website for more information. NRHH Welcomes New Inductees

The American Eagle Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) is pleased to announce the fall 2012 induction of Robert Williams, Eric Hian-Cheong, and Rosie McSweeney. NRHH has four pillars that each member strives to achieve: scholastics, recognition, service and leadership. We look forward to working with our new inductees in the pursuit of these values.

Last Day for Fall Mail & Package Delivery The last day for on-campus residents to receive mail and packages for the Fall 2012 semester is Tuesday, December 18, 2012. The last day to pick up mail and packages is December 19th at 12:00pm (noon). Items not picked up by December 19, 2012 will be held until the spring semester or returned to the sender. Please contact housing@american.edu with any questions.

Information for Students Wishing to Return to Campus Housing for the 2013-2014 Academic Year

It’s not too early to start thinking ahead about living on-campus for the next academic year. The 2013-2014 room selection guide and application will be available online and via email beginning on Monday, January 14, 2013 (we will send every student an email notification about the beginning of this process on that date). Housing applications for the next academic year will be due on Friday, February 1, 2013 by 5pm (no exceptions will be made for applications received after this date and time). Current first-year students are guaranteed a space on-campus for the 2013-2014 academic year provided that you meet the February 1, 2013 (5pm) application deadline and all subsequent process deadlines that will be outlined in the online guide beginning on Monday, January 14, 2013. As a reminder for students who will be juniors or seniors in Fall 2013 (current sophomores and juniors living on-campus), you will participate in a lottery selection process and housing is not guaranteed for you through this process. We project that we will be able to allow up to 500 rising juniors or seniors to return to campus housing for next year similar to the process from the previous year. If you are thinking about living off-campus next year, we hope that you will review our resources available online at www.american.edu/offcampushousing.

Study at The Perch with Extended Hours! The Perch will open with extended hours starting December 10th and continuing through December 16th. Stop by anytime between

12 noon and 2 AM for a great place to study or just take a break with a cup of coffee. We look forward to seeing you!

New HD Cable Channels! As of Monday, December 3rd, on campus cable will include 28 additional HD channels. The new channels are listed below:

100.1 HBO 100.2 HBO 2 101.1 HBO Family 101.2 ESPN 102.1 ESPN 2

102.2 ESPN News 103.1 ESPN Classic 103.2 NFL Network 104.1 NBA TV 104.2 TBS

105.1 TNT 105.2 USA 106.1 BET 106.2 Spike 107.1 A&E

107.2 Food Network 108.1 ABC Family 108.2 Syfy 109.1 MTV 109.2 VH1

110.1 Bravo 110.2 Comedy 111.1 AMC 111.2 Nat Geo 112.1 CNN

112.2 MSNBC 113.1 CNBC 113.2 Fox News

Follow us!

DECEMBER 2012

HOUSING & DINING PROGRAMS

E-NEWSLETTER FOR CAMPUS RESIDENTS

4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Anderson Hall Washington, DC 20016

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

housing@american.edu

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 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 clean, sweep and vacuum the floors. 4. Windows are closed and LOCKED. 5. Curtains or blinds are left OPEN (except terrace level: please close your curtains). 6. Heat is left ON and turned to LOW. 7. All lights (even vanity) 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 2013 semester should keep their room key and mail key for next semester. Do not return them 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 6th 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 and cinderblocks should be brought to your lounge. MicroFridge Rentals: If you have rented a MicroFridge unit for only one semester, the unit should be left inside the student room for pick up by the vendor, MyFridgeRental. If your MicroFridge 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 $115. Keys not returned upon check-out cannot be mailed back to the residence hall.