This Week in AU Orientation

Greetings Eagle Families!

As you ready the boxes and stuff the suitcases, we hope you and your Eagle are as excited about the start of the semester as we are! Whether you arrive as a family or your Eagle flies solo, we'll be here to greet them and get you where you need to be.

All-American Welcome includes so many opportunities for your student to explore our campus and our community! We build the schedule for students moving in on August 22 or later. If your student is moving in early (August 20 - 21) and is not part of Explore DC just keep in mind that our services and offerings will expand over the course of the week. Visit the information desk in the Mary Graydon Center or our All-American Welcome website for details about dining and campus retail hours and One Card/AUID and UPass pick-up.

While we don't schedule formal events or presentations for families during move-in, we do offer you a full series of webinars throughout the year. You can preview the 2023-24 Eagle Family Webinar Series now - and know that we're working to bring you the content you need, when you need it.

Orientation Leaders are still ready to help your student with any last-minute questions as you make your final preparations. We can't wait to welcome you!

Here's a question you asked, and how we answered it:

Q: How does my student look for potential work opportunities on campus?
A: When your student is ready, they should check out the offerings on the Student Jobs website. There, they can check out employment opportunities on or off campus. Here are a few tips you can share with your student:

Start looking before the semester starts.
Keep applying until you’ve accepted an offer. Jobs on campus can be competitive. Don’t limit yourself to pursuing only 1 or 2 options – be flexible!
Follow up. Departments may not reach out to update you. Do some research to identify the hiring manager in the department you’ve applied to and don’t be afraid to signal your interest.
Bring your I-9 documents to campus with you. Do not wait for an offer. This will help you start working quickly.
Practice safe skepticism of unmonitored job websites.

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 were due August 1, they get finalized in early July as your student registers for a full-time courseload. Reach out to AU Central if you have questions.
We can accept student packages in the mailroom starting August 17.
Pack your student with their I-9 acceptable documents. If your student hopes to get a paid job on (or off campus), they'll need them!
Start reading this year's Writer as Witness selection: Isaac J. Bailey's Why Didn't We Riot? A Black Man in Trumpland available at a discounted rate through the Campus Store.
Textbooks can be ordered through the Campus Store. Don't worry if an instructor hasn't posted them yet! Many students wait until they review the syllabus (in Canvas or in class) before purchasing materials.
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.

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

REVIEW THE CHECKLIST

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:

"Each year it gets easier to see your child ease into adulthood, so don’t stress too much." - Clare Thompson, P ‘24

It can be tough to see your student off after move-in. Worries may accompany your car ride or flight home and while that has nothing to do with your faith in your student and their judgement, your mind may naturally wander into what could go wrong. As each year progresses, it gets a bit easier. You’ll see your student exercising good judgement and showing great maturity. Your Eagle has got this, let them show you what they can do!

In Case You Missed It: Fall Move-In Details

Cars in front of a residence hall with staff unloading them

Check out the recording of Everything You Need to Know About Move-In for more details about what you can expect when you arrive on campus, and tips to make it a smooth process for everyone.

Don’t forget – you can find details about fridge rentals, packing lists, and even furniture dimensions on the housing website. Other urgent housing questions? Encourage your student to email [email protected] or live chat Monday – Friday, 1-4 p.m. ET.

Fall Move-In

AU Sponsored Health Insurance: Waive or Enroll

An eagle plush getting a shot from the nurse.

If your student chooses to participate in the AU sponsored health insurance plan, the charge will remain on your student's account. The next step is to create an account with Aetna at Academic HeatlhPlans (American.myahpcare.com). Once your student has created their account, they will have access to their insurance cards within 1-2 business days. The Aetna plan covers students from August 1, 2023 – July 31, 2024.

If you are requesting to waive the AU sponsored health insurance and have the charge removed from your student’s account, please help your student to follow the instructions online before the deadline of September 11, 2023.

If no action is taken to waive or enroll, students that are charged will be automatically enrolled after the September 11, 2023 waiver deadline.

HEALTH INSURANCE DETAILS

New Eagle Essentials Videos

Thumbnail for New Eagle Essentials Playlist. Features the words celebrate and breathe. Photo of Clawed Z Eagle mascot.

New Eagle Essentials videos are now available so you can visit content from key campus partners - any time! These offer very brief introductions to our campus offices and services. We highly recommend you visit our family website for a curated list of web links to help you find the information you need, when you need it.

View Orientation Videos

All-American Welcome

All-American Welcome is a time for your student to meet new friends, build community, explore involvement opportunities, and enjoy events and activities as we welcome our new and returning students to campus. With more than 70 events and activities each fall, there’s a great variety of fun in-person events to help our Eagles meet each other, learn their way around campus and explore DC.

We do not offer formal programming for families and friends during welcome, but we will encourage you to visit us in the Mary Graydon Center to explore our resource fair on August 22 and 23. Then join us near check-in for tea, coffee and tissues with administrators.

All-American Welcome

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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