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Memorandum April 6, 2023

Dear AU community,  

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

Each year, we must determine the appropriate time to make this transition. 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 cooling 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, and 4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW (Spring Valley Building).   

The switchover process will start early Monday morning, April 10, with all buildings having cooling capability by the end of the day on Tuesday, April 11. The heat will be off until fall. While we may experience cooler weather on individual days, we nevertheless must transition the system at one time for the season. We understand that this may result in short periods where buildings may be cooler 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 continues to fluctuate this spring, including expected cool days.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,

Bronté Burleigh-Jones

Bronté Burleigh-Jones
Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, and Treasurer

Vincent Harkins
Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management