To:

American University Community

From:

Bronté Burleigh-Jones, CFO, Vice President of Finance and Treasurer; 
Vin Harkins, Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management 

Subject:

Campus-Wide Seasonal Switchover from Cooling to Heating

We want to share an important update regarding the seasonal transition of the heating and cooling systems in our buildings. As we switch from cooling to heating for the fall and winter months, we want to address how this process will affect our community. 

Each year, we must determine the appropriate time to transition from cooling to heating. Due to weather fluctuations in the Mid-Atlantic region at this time of year, the timing of the changeover can vary. Based on the current long-term weather forecast, we are changing the campus to full heating mode earlier than in previous years. This transition will include all buildings on the main campus as well as 4401 Connecticut Ave. NW (WAMU), 4200 Wisconsin Ave. NW, 4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW (Spring Valley Building).   

The switchover process will begin today, and the air conditioning will be off until the spring. While upcoming individual days may feature warmer weather, we have to transition the system at one time for the season. We understand that this may result in short time periods where buildings may be warmer than desired, but this approach is based on the overall weather conditions and the function of the building heating and cooling systems. 

We appreciate your patience as the weather forecast will continue to fluctuate this fall, including expected warm days. Please be advised that air conditioning will be off until the spring.  

Mark Freedman, Manager, Energy Utilities Operations, is coordinating this process and can be reached at x2378 or via email at markf@american.edu. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact our 2FIX Customer Response Center on x2349 or email us at 2fix@american.edu.  Please visit Facilities Management's webpage for this and all other service interruptions and notifications: http://www.american.edu/finance/facilities/service-interruptions.cfm 

Thank you.