Dear AU Community, 

As spring break approaches, we are writing to share plans for facilities maintenance and reduced hours for campus services while many of our residents are away the week of March 9 – 15.    

Facilities Maintenance Plans

Temporary Closure: Lydecker Tunnel Entrance

Timing: Monday, March 9, through Friday, March 13*

• The south entrance of the Lydecker Tunnel (near the UPS Store) will be closed as the Facilities team excavates the area to locate and repair a leak.
• Traffic Services and Facilities will provide an alternate route using the roadway between Cassell Hall, Hughes Hall, and Leonard Hall.
• The Central Plant team will install directional signs to guide traffic.
• Questions? Contact 2Fix at 202-885-2349 or 2Fix@american.edu.

*Timing subject to change based on project conditions.

Heating Outage: McCabe, Gray, Roper, and Clark Halls

Heating service will be temporarily turned off to safely repair a section of pipe. Work is expected to:

• Start: Tuesday, March 10 at 6 a.m.
• End: Wednesday, March 11 at 6 a.m.

Important details:

• Only heating will be offline – hot water service will continue as usual.
• Heating will be restored as soon as the repair is complete.

Spring Weather and Building Temperatures

The 10‑day forecast shows temperatures in the mid to upper 70s through Wednesday of spring break. Facilities Management will work to keep indoor temperatures as comfortable as possible during this warm period, even though it is still too early for the semiannual switchover that AU’s distributed heating and cooling system requires.

Here is what to expect:

• Residence Halls have piping systems which have been upgraded in recent years to allow more flexibility during the unusual temperature swings common in spring. Facilities Management will activate cooling in these buildings as much as the system allows.
• Non-Residence Hall Buildings: When the outdoor temperature reaches a set level, heating will automatically turn off to prevent buildings from getting too warm.

Learn More

• Seasonal Heating Cooling Switchover Q&A with Director of Energy & Engineering David Osborne (Spring 2025)
• American University Temperature Policy

Spring Break Schedule for Dining and Campus Services

AU Kitchen (Dining Services):

Dining venues will have modified hours or closures. You can also visit Dine on Campus for the full operating schedule.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please send them to vpfin@american.edu.

Mike Scher 
Assistant Vice President, Business Services

Skip Vaughn 
Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management