In This Section:

	Thanksgiving Break Information
	Semester Break Information
	Check Out Procedures
	Semester Break Housing

 

 

Thanksgiving Break Information

The residence halls will remain open, but access to the halls and the level of staffing provided will be reduced. If you are on-campus for any of the break, it is your responsibility to abide by all university policies and to make yourself fully aware of all break arrangements for your hall. In general, the arrangements are as follows:

	--	Access to Anderson, Centennial, and Letts will be through Anderson. Access to Hughes, McDowell and Leonard will be through McDowell. Your student ID will be re-programmed accordingly, so please do not attempt to enter through the other halls. This arrangement will be in effect from 12:00pm on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 to 12:00pm on Sunday, November 30, 2008. (Access at Tenley will be unchanged.)
	--	Staffing for residence halls will be provided on a Complex basis. Requests for assistance, questions, etc. will need to be directed to your Complex Desk (Anderson Hall - x7700 or McDowell Hall - x7706). Tenley and Nebraska Hall desks will be part of the McDowell Complex Desk on Thursday and Friday and will resume limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. (Public Safety can be reached for emergencies at all times at x3636).

 

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Semester Break Information

Residents must make arrangements to depart for break within 24 hours of their last final exam. All main campus residence halls will close at 12:00pm on Wednesday, December 17, 2008. Mail/Parcel delivery will end the day before (December 16, 2008) and will resume on Friday, January 2, 2009. More details on closing will be provided over the course of the rest of the semester by our Residential Education staff. The halls will re-open for the spring semester for returning students at noon on Friday, January 2, 2008.

If you are planning to move out of the halls at the end of the semester for a qualified reason (i.e. study abroad, approved leave of absence, graduation, etc.), it is important that you notify our office in writing by November 14, 2008 if you hope to avoid any delays with transcripts, graduation, etc. Current residents who move out for non-qualified reasons (i.e. off-campus) are subject to cancellation charges, as noted in the Housing Application/License Agreement. Please note that the cancellation charge goes up to 25% of the spring semester costs on November 14, 2008, as outlined in the Housing Application/License Agreement.

If your roommate is leaving for the spring term and you want to pull a friend into that space, please send us an e-mail from your AU e-mail account requesting this no later then November 14, 2008. Your friend wanting to move into the space will also need to send us an e-mail from their AU email account by November 14, 2008. Please send all e-mails to housinganddiningprograms@american.edu. Pull-in requests that are received after November 14, 2008 may not occur as other assignments will begin on November 17, 2008. As you make pull-in requests, please make sure that your roommate has notified our office that they are not returning.

Check Out Procedures

If you are Returning to the Same Room after Break:

Remember to secure or take home valuables, and take items such as medications, plane/train tickets, and passport if you need them over break.  You will no 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.	Refigerators 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 are left OPEN (Except terrace level: please close your curtains).
6.	Heat is left ON and turned to LOW.
7.	All ligths (even vanity) are turned off.
8.	Doors are locked and deadbolted.
Residents who will be living in the same room for the Spring 2009 semester should keep their room key and mail key for next semester.  Do not return them to the front desk.

 

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 out, air set to low and curtains 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.
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:
	In addition to being responsible for Common Area Damages (see below), you are also responsible for Room Damage Charges. These are damages to your room as determined by a staff member upon your check out. Damages not previously noted on your Room Inventory Form will be billed to your account in late December and a copy of the damages will be sent to your AU email address. 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.
NOTE: Unreturned keys (both mail and room) will result in charge ranging from $75-100.

If you have any questions, please contact your hall staff or stop by our office.

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Semester Break Housing Information

Limited Semester Break housing is available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Tenley Campus only, as all main campus halls will be closed. Applications will be available at the Housing and Dining Programs Office (located in Anderson Hall) starting Monday, October 13, 2008 and are due by Friday, November 21, 2008. There is a one week minimum stay and a daily charge of $36.00 per person per night for this service (double room). Residents interested in working at the hall desk during the break in exchange for part or all of their break housing costs need to contact Michelle Smith, Guest and Public Relations Coordinator, via e-mail at bsmith@american.edu.

Click here to download the Semester Break Housing License Agreement and Application

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