OFF-CAMPUS LIVING
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY’S COMMUTER STUDENT NEWSLETTER
Housing & Dining Programs American University Fall 2014
Inside This Issue: Upcoming Events for Tenants
After you have moved off-campus, it is important Admission, lunch, and parking are all free. Upcoming 1 to us that you stay involved with our community. Events Here are some great events this fall semester for If you have not already registered, please do so off-campus students: at your earliest convenience. Advance Message from 2 registration helps with our planning and there will the Associate Eagle Living Off-Campus Orientation: Dean be no onsite registration.
Student-Alumni 2 The Community Relations Coordinating Committee will host the first Eagle Living Off- There are three ways to register for the Summit: Programs 1) Online at https://www.eventbrite.com/ Campus Orientation on Wednesday, September myevent?eid=12368653977 Embassy Park 2 3rd, at 7:00 PM in the Abramson Family Founders 2) Call 202-719-6567 Reminder Room in the School of International Service. At 3) In person at the OTA office located in Suite the Orientation you will learn your rights as 300-North of the Reeves Center, 2000 Year 2@AU 3 14th Street, NW renters in the District of Columbia, your Renting Licensed 3 responsibilities as residents of the neighborhood, If you need additional information about the Space and learn about resources available to you summit you can call the office at 202-719-6560 throughout the year. Guide to 4 Be a Good Neighbor Eaglebucks and To RSVP please email Andrew Huff at Dining Dollars [email protected] We hope you have a fun and safe Halloween! Eaglebucks and 4 Please remember to be aware of your behavior, Dining Dollars Tenant Summit noise and language when you’re traveling to and Merchants from the American University campus. Please do The D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate will Clawed’s Corner 5 not allow your good times to negatively impact present its 7th Annual Tenant & Tenant the Halloween experience for others in the local Association Summit on Saturday, September 13th DC community. from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The event will be held at the Kellogg Conference Center on the Stop by MGC on Thursday, October 30th, from Housing & Dining campus of Gallaudet University, located at 800 11am-2pm for a drop-in session on Being a Good Programs Main Florida Avenue, NE. The summit serves as a Neighbor—Halloween Edition. There will be hot Office Hours: forum to bring together tenants, tenant chocolate, cookies, and a raffle to win some pretty spectacular prizes! Representatives of the Monday-Thursday associations, housing attorneys and advocates, Community Relations Coordinating Committee 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. policy experts, community leaders, and District will be there to offer you tips on maintaining officials to discuss matters of concern to the Friday healthy relations with your neighbors this District’s tenant community. Halloween. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m The day will include a keynote address and other Saturday remarks by prominent speakers, topical panel 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m discussions, legal clinics and workshops, exhibits, Phone prizes and giveaways, and lunch. (202) 885-3370 Social Media Facebook.com/AUHDP Twitter.com/auhdp Page 2
A Message from the Associate Dean of Students
Contributed by Michelle Espinosa, Associate Dean of Students
p.m. and 7:00 Welcome back to the 2014 – 2015 We expect you to: a.m. that is likely academic year! We hope you will enjoy know, understand and abide by local to annoy or living in the nearby community. We are ordinances and laws; disturb one or also counting on your consideration for more other others that forms the foundation of know, understand and abide by the terms of your lease; persons in their responsible citizenship. There are residences. [Sec. monitor and maintain the condition of multiple tips and resources for off campus 211. Disorderly your property; students on the Off Campus Housing conduct. (d)] A Website http://www.american.edu/ocl/ manage the behavior of your guests; person who housing/off-campus-resources.cfm. and violates this or Please take time to review them and see any of the other Michelle Espinosa what can be helpful to you. We have when you choose to host friends at your provisions of this developed a short video capturing the residence, do so in a responsible, section will be guilty of a misdemeanor and, university’s expectations, campus considerate and lawful manner. upon conviction, will be fined up to $500, resources, and local agency information Please familiarize yourself, your imprisoned up to 90 days, or both." that can be of help to you in the coming roommates and friends with the year. You can view the video at: "Disorderly Conduct Amendment Act of The majority of our students living off campus www.american.edu/offcampushousing 2010," which became effective on do so without causing disturbances to February 1, 2011. I and my colleagues are available to neighbors, but those who do cause disturbances create a negative reputation for provide support to you; however, we also The amendments to DC law increase the need your cooperation in this partnership. their peers and the university as a whole. We specificity of prohibited conduct related to want to prevent this from occurring. If you At a minimum, we want you to be aware of "preservation of the public peace and the the expectations American University has would like assistance in communicating with protection of property" and impose serious your neighbors, or if you want to discuss ways for you and the guests you may choose to penalties on convicted violators. While it host at your place of residence. to effectively manage your off-campus is important for you to become familiar residence, please call the Office of the Dean of Remember that violations of the law are with all the provisions of the new act, one also violations of the AU Student Conduct Students at (202)885-3300 and schedule an provision warrants your immediate appointment to meet with me. I would be glad Code and will be adjudicated according to attention: Code provisions. to help you develop strategies for living successfully in the local community. "It is unlawful for a person to make an unreasonably loud noise between 10:00
Connect with Alumni through Exciting Student-Alumni Programs
Contributed by Isaac W.K. Thweatt, Director of Alumni Outreach The American University Alumni and the traditional march into Bender stumble upon a pizza giveaway at one of Association offers several exciting programs Arena. our men's or women's basketball games. designed to bring students and alumni These, and other student alumni programs together, inspire learning, motivate school Maybe one-on-one interaction suits you are at your disposal ,and offered throughout spirit, and encourage lasting relationships. better? Learn how AU alumni crafted their the school year. pathways to success through programs like Students benefit from the advice and the Alumni in the Know series, SIS Industry For more information on how you can stay guidance from experienced professionals, Days, or the Dinner with Alumni program. connected, be sure to visit our student- and alumni remain connected to AU. Or, put yourself in the best position to find alumni programs page at http:// or land a job with help from the AU Career At the beginning of every year, freshman Center. Don't forget to show your school alumniassociation.american.edu/ are welcomed to campus with the spirit by supporting all of our athletic Freshmen Convocation Bagel Breakfast programs. You could even get lucky and
A Reminder about Embassy Park
Please respect the private property of your Embassy Park neighbors. If walking through the property, please stay on the main road and sidewalks. Please do not cut through buildings on the brick paths, which are private property. If walking through at night, please keep your voices low and quiet. Thank you for doing your part to be a good neighbor! Page 3
Year2@AU Contributed by Emily Jones-Green, Assistant Director, Retention and Recruitment
We know that your second year will be AU Job & Internship Fair Wednesday, January exciting, challenging, and full of September 17, 1pm-4pm opportunities to shape your path at AU, Bender Arena Year2@AU: Panel in the Perch - so we are here to help you prepare! Dur- Leadership and Self-Discovery. Join a ing the fall and spring semesters, you are AU Abroad Fair panel of upperclassmen as they share invited to take part in our Year2@AU: Thursday, September 18, 11am-3pm how they found their niche during their Sophomore Success events to help you MGC 2-5 second year and got the most out of their prepare for and make connections with experience. faculty, navigate academic, internship, Year2@AU: Sophomore Reception - Monday, January 26, 2015, 8:00 pm and career choices, and decision "Chart Your Academic Future" Tuesday, The Perch (Centennial Hall) making. These events are open to all September 23, 2014, 6:00 pm second-year students and will be February facilitated by upperclass students. October Year2@AU:“The Major Games” - Visit the "Sophomore September" Year2@AU: Helpers in the Hatch “Careers Major Games, an academic and resource AU Student Involvement Fair and Internships” - Upperclassmen discuss fair, to hear from departments from across Wednesday, September 3, 2014 how to take the first steps into utilizing the the university about how they are here to 11am-2pm AU Quad Career Center to help get an internship. help you succeed. Monday, October 6, 2014, 8:00 pm Wednesday, February 4, 2015, Federal Work Study Fair The Hatch (Leonard Hall ) 11:00am-2:00 pm MGC 2-5 Wednesday, September 3, 2014, 9am-4pm November March
Year2@AU: Panel in the Perch - Faculty Year2@AU: Spring Forward: Sophomore Year2@AU: Helpers in the Hatch – as Mentors Join upperclassmen for a Social Gear up for the end of the semester Decision Making, semester Wrap-Up . discussion on the importance of and learn about upcoming spring events. Explore the art and process of decision meaningful relationships with faculty and Monday, November 10, 8:00 pm making. tips on how to obtain them. Monday, March 16, 2015, 8:00 pm Monday, September 15, 2014, 8:00 pm The Hatch (Leonard Hall) The Perch (Centennial Hall) We hope to see you there!
Conflict Resolution Services Renting Licensed Spaces
Do your upstairs neighbors vacuum their floors in the middle IMPORTANT!! IMPORTANT!! IMPORTANT!! IMPORTANT!! IMPORTANT!! of the night and wake you up? Are you having trouble Residential Housing licenses are required for all rental deciding how you and your roommates are splitting utility properties in the District of Columbia including homes, costs? Do you and your landlord disagree about whether the apartments, condominiums, basement apartments and refrigerator should be replaced? We’re here for you. AU apartment buildings. Conflict Resolution Services can help with both on- and off-campus conflicts. It is important to make sure that the person you are renting from has the appropriate license to rent. A licensed space is AU Conflict Resolution Services provides both mediation and up-to-date with fire and safety codes. It also means that there conflict coaching to help manage conflicts. Mediation is a are no structural issues with the space. If you currently reside process in which two or more conflicting parties agree to sit in a space that does not have a rental license, it’s possible that down and talk about the issue and how to address it in a you may be forced to leave. mutually acceptable way with the help of an impartial mediator. Conflict coaching is an option for individuals who We are currently working with Off-Campus Partners, the host would like to explore ways to address their conflicts on their of our off-campus posting site, to verify that all off-campus own in one-on-one meetings. Best of all, AU Conflict housing opportunities posted on the site have the proper Resolution services are free, voluntary, and confidential. license to rent.
AU Conflict Resolution Services hopes you have a fantastic You can find more information through the Department of semester living off-campus, but when problems arise, we’re here for you. Contact us at [email protected]. Consumer and Regulatory Affairs at dc.gov/DC/DCRA. Page 4
A Guide to Eaglebucks and Dining Dollars on Campus
Contributed by Alannah Johnson, Dining Programs Coordinator What are EagleBucks? An EagleBucks What are the advantages of using Dining Can I use EagleBucks for ordering account is a prepaid stored value account Dollars? Dining Dollars are accepted at food for delivery over the telephone associated with your AU One Card. All dining locations on main campus. Many Yes! Any off-campus merchant that American University students, faculty and locations on campus offer a discount for accepts EagleBucks can manually type staff have an EagleBucks account. using Dining Dollars. your AU One Card number into their card reader when you order your food. You What are the advantages of using Can Dining Dollars be transferred to can also add a tip with EagleBucks. The EagleBucks?Whether you are a student, EagleBucks after they have been merchant’s delivery staff should verify staff, or faculty member, EagleBucks deposited? No, Dining Dollars cannot be your identity by asking to see your AU transferred into EagleBucks. remain on your account until you leave AU. One Card prior to completing the EagleBucks don't "expire.” delivery. If a merchant does not verify Can I get a cash refund for all or part of your identity, please send an email to the How can I add funds to my EagleBucks the balance on my EagleBucks EagleBucks team so that we can ensure account? You may add EagleBucks to account? Cash withdrawals from a the security of our students’ and staff your account at EagleBucks.com, at any student’s EagleBucks account are not members’ information. Prior to accepting Value Add station located around campus, permitted at any time. Refunds are only a delivery you should check your receipt or in person at the Housing and Dining processed upon separation (graduation, to confirm that the correct amount has Programs office. transfer, withdrawal) from American University. To request a refund of your been charged to your EagleBucks What are Dining Dollars? A Dining Dollars EagleBucks account balance please account. account is a prepaid stored value account contact AU Central. Refund checks are associated with your AU One Card used issued by the cashiers at Student exclusively for food purchases. All Accounts, located in the Asbury Building. American University students have a Dining No refunds are issued by Housing and Dollars account. As of January 2014, the Dining Programs. Dining Dollars program is only available to students. Faculty and staff are no longer eligible to participate in the Dining Dollars program.
Eaglebucks and Dining Dollars Merchants
On-Campus EagleBucks Merchants Off-Campus Eaglebucks Merchants On-Campus Dining Dollars Merchants
American Café, Argo Tea, Asian Flavors, Angelico’s Pizzeria, Booeymonger, Cava (with discount)
Bene Pizza and Pasta, Campus Grill, Chipotle, Crisp and Juicy, CVS American Café, Asian Flavors, Bene Pizza
Bookstore, Davenport Lounge, Einstein (Tenleytown), Domino’s Pizza, Manny & and Pasta (10%), Davenport Coffee
Brothers Bagels, Freshii, Global Fresh, Olga’s, Murasaki, Papa John’s Pizza, Lounge, Einstein Brothers Bagels (10%,
Megabytes Café, The Mud Box, P.O.D. Pizza Boli’s, Pizza Movers, Robeks Elevation Burger (10%), Global Fresh
(Provisions on Demand), featuring Subway Smoothies, Satay Club, Spring Garden, (10%), Freshii (10%), Megabytes Café, and Red Mango, P.O.D. Express, Subway, Supercuts (Tenleytown), Take- P.O.D. (15%), P.O.D. Mini (15%), Subway
Starbucks, TDR (Terrace Dining Room), Out Taxi, Tenley Nails, Wagshal’s Deli, (10%), The Mud Box, Terrace Dining
TIGI Boutique, The University Club, The Wagshal’s Market, Whole Foods Market Room (15%), The University Club
UPS Store, WCL Dining Room Vamoose Bus, Inc., Wingos, Z-Burger Page 5
Vendor Services
Planning to travel during the school year? Enroll in a Student Advantage membership and save big on travel services such as Amtrack and Greyhound! One membership lasts for four years and gives you access to thousands of discounts to stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and more. You can even use your Student Advantage membership to shop online for additional savings! For more information about the membership, please visit the Student Advantage website at
http://www.studentadvantage.com/
Clawed, What should I do if I have a suspected housing violation?
If you feel that your apartment or building does not Clawed’s Corner comply with the standards outlined by the D.C. Housing By Clawed Eagle Code, please contact The Department of Consumer and AU Mascot & Housing Expert Regulatory Affairs at (202) 442-9557. You can also request an inspection via email at [email protected]. Please include your Clawed, do you have any pointers for visiting name, phone number, and summary of your issue. properties? You always want to visit properties with another person. Not only is another set of eyes helpful but Clawed, What does it mean that my apartment is you never want to be in a stranger’s home by yourself. exempt from “Rent Stabilization?”
Clawed, How much can my landlord require me to pay Rent Stabilization, commonly referred to as “Rent as a security deposit? Control” is the regulatory policy that limits and/or restricts the rental amount and frequency of rent increases in Security Deposits cannot be more than one month’s rent. property deemed non-exempt to the provisions of the No landlord should charge you two or three times one Housing Act of 1985. If your property is exempt, it means month’s rent as a Security Deposit fee. Additionally, your that it is not subject to rent stabilization. landlord cannot ask for your Security Deposit after you have moved into the space. Got questions for Clawed??? Email him at [email protected]
Disorderly Conduct Amendment Act of 2010 Love using your AU ID for It is unlawful for a person to make an Student Discounts??? unreasonable loud noise between 10:00pm Want to know more uses for and 7:00am that is likely to annoy or disturb your AU ID??? one or more other persons in their residenc- Hear about student discounts & es. [Sec. 211. Disorderly conduct, (d)] events first at: A copy of the act is available through this link: www.facebook.com/auonecard www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/