This Week in AU Orientation

Greetings Eagle Families!

It’s hard to believe we’re already approaching the end of July! If you weren’t able to catch any of our New Eagle Essentials sessions, will be sending a link to view the recordings of those sessions in the coming days. If you’re wondering about how to help your student prepare for the transition into college, it’s not too late to register for Dr. Brenner’s webinar: Beginning to Build Critical “Adulting” Skills Before They Leave: It’s More Than Just Doing Laundry. Details are featured further down in the newsletter, and the session will be recorded! The session is focused on learning tools to best support your student's transition into adulthood. If you have questions about orientation, reach out to us at [email protected].

Bills were posted to student accounts last week. Here are a few things to remember:

Your student needs to have registered for classes in order to generate a bill.
Your student needs to accept their aid package for it to appear on the bill.
Your student may grant you proxy access to make a payment and/or view account activity.
The bill is due August 1. You can view all payment deadlines, payment plans and billing information on the student accounts website.

Here are some questions you asked, and how we answered them:

Q: What's next for my student?
A: Your Eagle has registered for classes, gone through New Eagle Essentials, and has received their move-in date and timeslot - along with instructions about how they can find a different slot if the one we picked doesn’t meet your family’s needs. If they haven’t yet done so, they should login to their Canvas account to complete their self-paced orientation online. They should also check out our virtual student socials hosted by our very own Orientation Leaders (OLs)! There are so many ways for your student to connect with other Eagles this summer! Our OLs have a full schedule of zoom events to help students get to know each other as they get the scoop on what to expect this fall. Your student can register through their Engage account.

Q: Are there residential hall activities or common spaces within the different halls?
A:The Residence Hall Association offers programming for residents. Throughout the course of the semester, you can find an RHA event happening almost every week! Across all six hall councils and the executive board, RHA events are designed to build community for our residential students. Our goal is to ensure that each programming event is as inclusive and enjoyable as possible. To stay up to date with RHA events, your student can follow them on social media. They should also make it a point to check their Community Director’s emails, as RHA-related information will be posted. Once your student is settled in their hall, we recommend they check out the lounge areas in their new nest!

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/student-affairs/families.

New Student Checklist: Dates and Deadlines

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

Important: If your student has not yet submitted their One Card photo make sure they do so as soon as possible to avoid long lines at check-in.
Student bills are due August 1, they get finalized in early July as your student registers for a full-time courseload.
We can accept student packages in the mailroom starting August 17.
Consider whether tuition insurance is right for your family, the deadline is September 11.
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 close to campus.
Save the date: Family Weekend is October 13-15.

REVIEW THE CHECKLIST

Family Webinar: Building Critical "Adulting" Skills 7/25

6 icons of faces on a computer screen mimicking a Zoom call or webinar.

We welcome AU Alumna and former AU professor, Dr. Andrea Malkin Brenner, to help us consider the critical life skills that first-year students should master before leaving home- and tips to teach these skills! In this session, we’ll cover: taking care of 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.

Andrea Malkin Brenner, PhD is a college transition educator and author who speaks frequently with high school students and parents on the challenges related to college transitions. She draws on her 25 years of experience as a sociology professor at American University, as the creator and former director of the AUx program, and as the former faculty director of our University College program. Andrea is the creator of the Talking College™ Card Deck discussion prompts for college-bound students and their parents and the 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 Just Doing Laundry
Tuesday, July 25, 7 - 8 p.m. EST

Flock Talk: Advice from Current Eagle Familes to New Eagle Families

Flock Talk is a new section where our current Eagle Families share advice just for you! Check out this week's advice:

"Adjustment takes time, social media does not tell the full story." - Melanie Ribich, P ‘26

As students settle in for their first few weeks of classes, it will be important to remind them that everyone’s social media is curated to only show the best parts of themselves. As students post about the great time they’re having, we’re missing the stories about the rough patches. Progress isn’t linear. While a student could be successful socially, their academics could need attention. It’s easy in the beginning for your Eagle to compare their own experiences to their peers, but this is something they should avoid – their journey is their own and they will adjust in due time.

Student Bill due 8/1

Payment for the fall semester is due August 1. Your student must register for classes to generate a bill, which will be posted to the student’s Eagle Service Account. In order for families and other sponsors to view or pay the bill, your student must grant you proxy access. You’ll find a simple list of tuition and fees, instructions on how to view an itemized version of the student bill and payment options on the Student Accounts website.

STUDENT ACCOUNTS

Family Zoom Room 8/4

Family Zoom Room Thurs 7-20 and Fri 8-4 12 - 1 p.m. ET

Calling all incoming Eagle families! Got questions about your student's journey at AU? Stop by to talk with our Orientation Leaders (OLs) about everything from academics, clubs, and more! This is a great opportunity to learn more about life through the student lens. Check out our next Family Zoom Room on August 4 from noon – 1 p.m. EST. To join the session, click “Join Event Online” on the day and time of the Zoom.

JOIN EVENT ONLINE

Fall Move-In webinar 8/10 - save the date!

Cars in front of a residence hall with staff unloading them

Wondering what to expect at move-in? Save the date for our Move-In Webinar, August 10, 8 – 9 p.m. EST (we'll send the registration link next week) for more details. Most families will help their students to do just a little unpacking and explore the hall and campus before some last-minute shopping and a snack or meal before saying goodbye. Students arriving on 8/22 or 8/23 will have activities in the evening. While we will not be offering formal programming for families during move-in, we will welcome you to meet with office representatives at the resource fair and join us for coffee and conversation.

Thinking of mailing items to campus? We can accept packages after August 17. Learn about how to address mail, size restrictions and more on the mail services website.

Fall Move-In

Online Self-Paced Orientation for Families

We are excited to feature our self-paced orientation, just for families! Here are the instructions: Select the option for Professional and Lifelong Learners: For learners without an @american.edu account. Login with the email address that we've sent you our newsletters. To set up your password, follow the "Forgot Password?" link and check your email for instructions from Canvas to reset your password. The orientation will give you an overview of AU’s academics, campus life, safety considerations, student responsibilities and resources specifically for families, all at your own pace. You’ll also be able to begin the course and return to finish or revisit content at any time!

Is Tuition Insurance Right for Your Family?

American University has partnered with GradGuard(TM) by Allianz Global Assistance to provide Tuition Insurance for students. Allianz Global Assistance is a private insurance program offering tuition insurance that acts as an extension to American University's published refund policy. Tuition Insurance helps minimize financial losses should a student suffer serious illness or an accident that results in withdrawal from the university before the end of the semester. Enroll by September 11 for fall semester coverage.

LEARN MORE

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