August 25, 2020

Dear AU Students,

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you as we start the 2020-2021 academic year, and would also like to express my appreciation for the dedication and resilience that AU students have shown in navigating the challenges of 2020. Wherever you are joining us from, please know that we are here for you, offices are open, and we will do all we can to ensure you have information and access, even if it must be from a distance for now.

Let me first acknowledge that in the best of times, navigating the start of the academic year can be challenging. I hope this email will be helpful in synthesizing information. A more comprehensive guide to campus services in Fall 2020 will be coming out shortly; the following is an abbreviated list with some key online resources.

For All Students

Offices are online and can be reached by phone or email, much as many of you would do if you were physically on campus. There are also intensified supports, such as the Tech Task Force for students who may not have access to appropriate technology.

• Academic Advising – first-year students. First-year students have been assigned a first-year advisor – who is also your AUX instructor – and who will be in touch with you and meeting you virtually. Please make appointments online.
• Academic Advising – all others. Undergraduates can schedule by going to: CAS, Kogod, SIS, SOC, SOE and SPA. Graduate advising is also by school.
• Academic Support. Support is available and virtual for all students. To use the writing center, quantitative support, tutoring, academic coaching and other services, connect with the Academic Support and Access Center.
• Accommodations. For disability support and academic accommodations, please contact the Academic Support and Access Center.
• Assistance with Technology Access. For technical support, reach out to the Help Desk, at 202-885-2550 or help@american.edu. If you can’t afford or otherwise can’t access the technology you need for remote classes, please email the Tech Task Force at techtaskforce@american.edu.
• Bills, Enrollment Verification, Financial Aid, Veteran’s Educational Benefits.  AU Central is operating online; it is the hub for services including Student Accounts (paying bills) and Registrar (registration and transcript questions). For Financial Aid, you can reach out to your financial advisor by email or phone.
• Career Planning, Internships. Virtual internships, career planning, jobs, webinars and more are being offered this semester. Details are on the Career Center website.
• Counseling. For crisis intervention, call 202-885-7979, 24 hours a day, from wherever you are located. Although counselors based at AU cannot work with students who are physically located outside of Washington, DC because of licensing restrictions, non-clinical staff can assist you in finding referrals in your location. For details as well as online resources for all students, please visit the Counseling Center’s webpage.
• Dean of Students. Many issues can emerge that impact student learning – such as illness, the need for a medical leave of absence, and far more. The central point of contact remains the Dean of Students’ office. Please make a virtual appointments.
• EagleBucks on Grubhub. AU students anywhere can now get a year of free delivery (Grubhub Plus subscription service) if you use EagleBucks to order delivery. Download the Grubhub app and add your university affiliation in Settings > Payment > Add New Payment.

• International Students. Virtual support is provided by the office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)

• Library Services. Course reserve readings will be available electronically and all research services will be online. Please see Fall 2020 Library Services.

• Student Engagement – clubs and organizations. You will be receiving more information on this soon, but here’s the short version: Student groups are active. This semester will look different, but you will be able to engage. As a start, use the Engage platform (the free app is CORQ) and check the Center for Student Involvement webpage.
• Support Related to Sex- or Gender-based Harassment or Bias Incidents. Reports on sex- or gender-based harassment, sexual violence and other forms of discriminatory harassment or bias incidents are made through the Office of Equity and Title IX. Confidential victim advocacy services can be accessed through online appointments with victim advocates in the OASIS program at the Health Promotion and Advocacy Center.

For Students in the Washington, DC area

 In addition to the key academic and support services above, students who are physically in the Washington, DC area are welcome to use the campus for study space and can also access several additional virtual services. Before coming to campus, you must first submit your daily self-health certification form via the AU Forward Portal. (This form is also at the top of your AU portal.) Face coverings are required, as is physical distancing.

• Ampitheater and Quad. Outdoor spaces are open, with restrictions. You must follow posted safety and health requirements, and space can only be used for studying and academic purposes – no club meetings or social gatherings. The running track is not open. The Fitness Centers also remain closed.
• Campus Buildings – with reservations. Bender Library will be open by appointment only, for one-to-three hour reserved times.
• Campus Buildings – without reservations, but with ID and for academic purposes only. Two buildings can be accessed: the Don Myers Technology and Innovation Building, and Mary Graydon (first floor). These facilities are open for students with ID from 8 am-11 pm, seven days a week.
• Campus Cafes. AU’s two student-run cafes will be open for grab-and-go beverages and snacks, starting on Tuesday, September 8. The Davenport Lounge will offer takeout from 8 am – 5 pm. The Bridge Café will operate for takeout from the Tavern from 10 am – 5 pm. All other retail facilities will remain closed.

• Counseling. If you’re located in the District of Columbia you can access all clinical services, including Urgent Care, Initial Consultation assessments, and ongoing counseling. The Counseling Center is working towards licensure in Maryland and Virginia, which would enable them to provide services for students in those locations. Please check the Counseling Center’s webpage for the latest updates.
• Library Services. In addition to being open for study space by reservation, the library offers several “curbside pickup” services. For borrowing material, including books, media and technology, please see Fall 2020 Library Services. For remote printing, send jobs to auprintcenter@gmail.com.
• The Market – AU’s Food Pantry. The Market remains open and accessible as a no-contact, self-service food pantry run on the honor system. You can request access by filling out an online form – simply provide your AU email address and AU ID number – and your OneCard will be activated for access within two business days.
• OneCard AU ID. If you need a new AU ID card, the OneCard office will be open by appointment only for in-person service on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 am – 3 pm. You must book your appointment online. You can also reach out through Just Ask (ServiceNow) and the OneCard office will respond within one business day.
• Shuttle. The AU Shuttle will operate on a limited schedule, with morning and afternoon service between Main Campus and the Tenleytown Metro and on-demand pickup service available at other times through the shuttle app, which you can download from the AU Shuttle website. Face coverings must be worn at all times.
• Student Health Center. For in-person visits, the Student Health Center (SHC) will be open from 8 am—5:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Video visits (telehealth) are available to students located physically in the District of Columbia. Students can also be tested for COVID-19 at the SHC, whether or not you have symptoms. Details on how to make appointments and access these tests, as well as other SHC services, are on the Student Health Center webpage.

Remember: All members of our community must also complete the health and safety training and take the pledge by September 11. This applies to all students, faculty and staff, whether you are in the Washington, DC area or elsewhere in the country or world. It is a university-wide requirement.

Finally, remember that all students are subject to the Student Code of Conduct, and that misconduct off-campus with a detrimental impact on the well-being of the community or neighbors is covered by this code.

I wish you all the best this semester. Wherever you are located, please know you are a valued part of the AU community, and we are here for you. I have great faith in our shared community and our ability to meet these challenges, together.

Sincerely,
Fanta Aw
Vice President of Campus Life & Inclusive Excellence
American University
campuslife@american.edu