This Week in AU Orientation

This week for new families

Greetings Eagle Families,

Your student has a schedule, a roommate, a fall address and even a move-in date! We suspect you've been shopping for sheets (our mattresses are standard twin, BTW), and shower caddies. Be sure to check our what to bring/what not to bring lists. But there are some other "must dos" for families this summer. This is the time to help your student to practice the skills they need to be independent this fall - it's more than learning to do laundry!

If you haven't yet participated in New Eagle Essentials - our online orientation - there is still time to register for our final session on Saturday, July 23 from 9 a.m. – noon ET. Your student can register through Engage. Families can use this form to register. Note: If possible, we encourage students and families to attend using separate devices so that you can attend breakout sessions separately.

More upcoming online sessions just for families:

Meet with our Orientation Leaders for a Family Zoom Room. Thursday, July 21 from 7 - 9 p.m. ET (join here)
Got questions about your student's journey? Stop by to talk with Orientation Leaders about academics, clubs and life as an Eagle.
NEW! Beginning to Build Critical "Adulting" Skills Before They Leave: It's More than Learning to do Laundry, Thursday, July 28 from 7 - 8 p.m. ET (register here)
We welcome AU alumna and former AU professor Andrea Malkin Brenner, PhD to AU to help us consider the critical life skills that first-year students sholud master before leaving home - and tips to teach these skills!
Parent and Family Transitions is being offered for a second time. Wednesday, August 3 from 7 – 9 p.m. ET (register here)
Hosted by Fanta Aw, Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment, Campus Life and Inclusive Excellence. We'll have a heart-to-heart as we talk through what you can expect as your Eagle adjusts to campus life this fall.

Our orientation sessions are recorded and will be available shortly on our Orientation 2022 playlist on YouTube. As always, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] with any question, any time.

Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle!
The New Student and Family Programs Team

Did you know we have a website with curated content just for our AU parents and families? You'll find quick links to campus services and offices, a planning calendar with key dates and deadlines, travel tips and a listing of our favorite hotels, a collection of our recorded webinars and so much more! Visit us at www.american.edu/ocl/families.

New Student Checklist: Dates and Deadlines

You can help your student keep track of deadlines and tasks like these:

Your student should have already uploaded a photo for the AUID (One Card) and their immunization records (proof of Covid-19 vaccine and booster by August 1).
Pack your student with their "1-9" acceptable documents. If your student hopes to get a paid job on (or off) campus, they'll need them!
Students are automatically charged for health insurance unless your student requests a waiver.
Start reading this year's Writer as Witness selection: Laila Lalami's Conditional Citizens: Who Belongs in America? available at a discounted rate through the Campus Store.
Consider whether tuition insurance is right for your family.
Start thinking about finding local ATMs, banks, pharmacies and specialized medical providers as needed. Use the "20016" zip code to search the internet for services closest to campus.
Save the date: Family Week end is October 7-9. Book your hotel at the discounted AU rate.

Last minute financial aid questions? Every AU student has an assigned financial aid counselor available to assist.

REVIEW THE CHECKLIST

more than learning to do laundry
Family webinar 7/28

Parents will finish this session with a complete list of the critical life skills first-year students should master before leaving home (and tips for teaching these skills). We'll cover: taking care of their physical and mental health; sharing a living space and communicating with peers across differences; understanding new responsibilities for personal safety, eating, and sleeping routines; budgeting and money management; taking advantage of campus resources; mastering professional communication; and handling stress without the “scaffolding” of home.

An AU alumna, Dr. Andrea Malkin Brenner draws on her 25 years of experience on AU's campus as a sociology professor and creator of the American University Experience (AUx) program. Andrea is the creator of the Talking College™ Card Deck discussion prompts for college-bound students and their parents and co-author of How to College: What to Know Before You Go (and When You’re There),

Beginning to Build Critical "Adulting" Skills Before They Leave: It's More Than Learning to do Laundry - Thursday, July 28 from 7 - 8 p.m. ET

Proof of covid-19 vaccination and booster due 8/1

All AU students who will participate in classes or other activities on campus must be vaccinated against Covid-19 unless they have received a university-authorized exemption. We recently sent a reminder to all new students, you'll find a copy here to review with your Eagle.

Students need to upload their own documents themselves into their health portal. General immunization records were due 7/15, Covid-19 records are due by 8/1. You can find the details and instructions to help your student at our link below.

covid-19 vaccination details

Online Self-paced orientation

This self-paced pre-orientation introduces you to AU: academics, life on campus, financing your education, safety and support services. It take about 45 minutes to complete the entire pre-orientation and you can return to finish or revisit content at any time! Students login with their AU credentials. Families and friends can create a "guest" account.

fall Move-in

Your student should have recieved their move-in timeslot on Thursday, June 30 through their housing portal. Visit our move-in website to prepare for your big day!

Explore our website for:

tips on what to bring (and what NOT to bring)
ordering a microfridge or other optional room amenities
floor plans and furniture measurements

Save the date: Move-in Webinar, August 2, 7 - 8 p.m. ET. (register here)

fall MOve-in

Student Billing: Fall bill due 8/1

Your student's bill is posted in their Eagle Services account. In order for families and other sponsors to view or pay the bill, your student must set up proxy access (instructions are here). You'l find a simple list of tuition and fees, instructions to view an itemized version of the student bill and payment options on the student accounts website.

Not sure about your AU financial aid? When your student sends an email to [email protected] from their own AU email account, it automatically routes to your student's assigned financial aid counselor for timely assistance.

Student accounts

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If any information is incorrect, please update it online by clicking the button.