To:

American University Community

From:

Bronté Burleigh-Jones, CFO, Vice President and Treasurer

Subject:

Winter Break Closure – Friday, Dec. 24, 2021 – Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022

As the winter holidays approach, I would like to provide details about the university’s upcoming closings (Dec. 24 – Jan. 2).  

Throughout the winter break, faculty and staff will have access to their offices using their AU swipe cards, but reduced heating and lighting will be in effect. Please remember that the buildings will be chilly, and offices may not be conducive for work. For safety reasons, space heaters are not allowed to be used to warm facilities. Access problems may be reported to Public Safety at extension 2527. Since few people are expected to be on campus during the break, please be mindful of your safety and be sure to secure your possessions.  

Responsibilities and Staffing During Winter Break Closing  

Staff should check with their supervisors regarding details about their unit’s staffing during the break. Unit heads of offices and departments who are assigned essential responsibilities during the break should submit the names of essential employees to Human Resources (HR). HR will send guidance to managers in the coming days. 

Students 

Residents approved for fall 2021 winter housing in Nebraska Hall and the university-leased units at the Frequency Apartments are permitted to remain on campus during winter break. All other residence halls will remain closed. Students who need winter housing will be placed at the Canopy. The residence halls close officially at noon on Dec. 20. 

Move-in for the spring semester 2022 will begin as early as Sunday, Jan. 2 with the official move-in date of Jan. 6. Residents have already received communication regarding their move-in day/time. 

Mail Services 

The Mail Services Office will operate at reduced hours during the break: 

• Closing at 3 p.m., Dec. 23 
• Closed Dec. 24 – 27   
• Open 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Dec. 28 - 30 
• Closed Dec. 31 – Jan. 2 

Lockers will remain accessible from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. with a card swipe to allow students to pick up packages. Larger packages that do not fit in the lockers will be held in the main office.  

AU Kitchen (Dining) 

All Dining locations will be closed during winter break. Select locations will open on Jan. 6. All dining locations will re-open Jan. 9.

Please visit the following websites for additional information regarding holiday hours of operations, closures, and resumption of service:  

• Bender Library – http://www.american.edu/library/about/hours.cfm 
• Housing – http://www.american.edu/ocl/housing/dates-faq.cfm 

• Dining – https://www.american.edu/ocl/onecarddining/ 

• Jacobs Fitness Center – https://www.american.edu/recfit/calendar/ 

• Shuttle – https://www.american.edu/finance/transportation/shuttle.cfm 

Payroll Deadlines and Holiday Pay 

Full-time employees will receive holiday pay for their regularly scheduled workdays that fall on and between Dec. 24 – Jan. 2. The last paycheck in 2021 will be dated Dec. 23 for biweekly employees and Dec. 30 for monthly employees. Biweekly timesheets for hours worked Nov. 27 – Dec. 10 must be signed and approved by 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 13. Monthly leave reports for leave taken in November were due Dec. 1 (sign and approve immediately if you have not already done so). Biweekly timesheets for pay period ending Dec. 24 are due Dec. 20, and monthly leave reports for leave taken in December are due Jan. 3, 2022. 

I wish you and your family a happy and joyous holiday season.