Pre-Arrival Information

We are pleased to welcome you to the International Arbitration Summer Program at American University, Washington College of Law (WCL).

The Summer Program will be held in our new building (Tenley Campus) which is located a block from the Tenleytown Metro Station at 4300 Nebraska Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016.

Below you will find information regarding the COVID protocol daily travel to and from WCL, class materials, use of technology facilities during the Summer Session and other materials we hope you will find useful. 

Access to WCL

The first day of Class summer participants will obtain a card to access the building from the Welcome Desk staff (Nebraska Ave entrance) by identifying themselves. Please mention that you are attending the Arbitration Summer Institute. 

COVID Protocol for visiting students

  1. In order to obtain the access cards you need to show either (a) proof of vaccination, or (b) a negative PCR test result taken within the previous 72 hours.   
  2. Anyone who is not vaccinated should plan to get biweekly PCR tests (off campus) while they’re enrolled in a summer institute.
  3. All institute participants must self-report positive test results from either on-campus or off-campus testing.
  4. Masks will be optional in the buildings beginning on May 23. Institute participants may obtain one free, high quality mask per week from the Welcome Desk staff by identifying themselves and which institute they are attending. However, Masks will be required in campus medical facilities throughout the summer, including the Student Health Center, Counseling Center, and COVID-19 testing sites; on the AU shuttle; and inside any AU vehicle used for public transportation. 

    Community members may choose to wear a mask in any setting or location based on their personal preferences or situations. If a member of our community asks others to wear a mask when they are in close contact with one another, including faculty in our classrooms or labs and in our offices, please treat such requests with respect and give them full consideration.

Summer Program Office

Room Y360A (Yuma building, third floor, International Suite). We will be available every day from 9:00am-6:30pm in our office Y360A located in the International Suite  (Yuma building, third floor). Please make sure you pass by our office the first day of class. If you have problems locating the room, just ask for the International Suite.

Please note that May 30th, 2022 is a holiday in the US, therefore our office is closed. For that weekend we would like to recommend you to rent bicycles available around the city and visit the National Mall where different parades and activities will be held. (more information at  http://www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com).  There is a bicycle station on the AU Campus (dorms) and one at WCL on Yuma street. You can also rent scooters and electric bikes. 

During Memorial Day, we remember the American soldiers that died in combat, therefore, it could be interesting to visit the monuments that commemorate the wars in which the US participated.

Airports

There are three main airports in the DC area:

Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) – This is the nearest airport to WCL and it is the only one with its own metro stop. Metro will cost less than $6 to travel from DCA to WCL (Tenleytown Metro stop). Also, you can take an uber or taxi to WCL for $35.00. Supershuttle shared ride is $18.00.

Dulles International Airport (IAD). Taxi to WCL will cost approximately $80.00. Supershuttle shared ride will cost $29.00 per person to WCL.

Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) – Amtrak travel into Washington, DC’s Union Station is possible and prices range from approximately $11.00-$40.00. Supershuttle shared ride is $37.00 to WCL.

If you are not taking the Metro or Amtrak to get to your destination, we suggest you look for a Super Shuttle desk at the airport or reserve your Super Shuttle bus in advance and online. If you take a taxi, prices will start approximately at $30 from Reagan National Airport, $80 from IAD, and $90 from BWI.

Maps and Directions

The Washington College of Law is located at 4300 Nebraska Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20016. D.C.
Tenley Campus Floorplans
American University Main Campus
Shuttle Stop location at Tenleytown Metro
Washington, DC

Metro System

The Metro system is very clean, efficient, and the employees are used to helping Washington visitors. Metro's website www.wmata.com is useful, containing bus schedules, bus & train route maps, hours of operation, etc.

Travel Tip: Download the DC Metro smart phone application, to find out where the nearest metro/bus stops are and what the wait times are. Also Google Maps is synchronized with the DC metro to give you updated metro directions & travel times.

The new campus is located a block from the Tenleytown/AU Metro Station (also called Tenley Circle) on the Red Line. Regular Metro rail fare during peak periods is between $2.15 and $5.90 with reduced fares $1.75 to $3.60 at all other times. Fare card machines are in every station. You can pay with credit card. You may purchase a SmarTrip card for reduced rates and easy reloading. SmarTrip cards can be purchased online at www.wmata.com and come with $25 loaded for travel, or they may be purchased and reloaded at any metro stop. Cards can also be purchased at CVS/pharmacy stores for $10 each, which includes $5 for the cost of the card and $5 of fare value preloaded onto the card so customers can travel immediately.

Shuttle from metro to AU (Dormitory)

AU provides a free shuttle service from the metro (Tenleytown-AU on the Red Line) to AU Main Campus. Follow the directional signs when exiting the Metro. The shuttle to main campus picks up on the corner where you exit the metro. Shuttle bus information is available at 202-885-3111 or atwww.wcl.american.edu/shuttle.cfm#metro

Taxicab

When using taxi service be sure to instruct the driver to take you to 4300 Nebraska Ave., NW. rather than just to American University, because the Washington College of Law is not situated on the main AU campus. If you need a taxicab, please call:

Diamond Cab: (202) 387-6200
Yellow Cab: (202) 544-1212

Uber is also popular in DC. This service provides rides for a similar price or less than taxicabs. To use Uber, download the Uber application onto your mobile smart phones, create a profile to attach your credit card details. Uber is very convenient but requires a smartphone with internet access to order the ride. The Uber Pool option is very affordable way to get around if you are not in a rush.

Driving - Parking (2019 Information)

Parking is available at WCL. You may park your vehicles in the WCL garage without a permit, paying a daily fee. Alternatively, a permit may be purchased in the Facilities Management Office for 3 weeks. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the parking policy please contact the Facilities Management Office at (202) 274-4008. The office is located at the T level (terrace, office YT05).

Cafeteria

Summer Food Service Hours

Café Service hours are:
9 am to 3 pm through May 31
9am to 5 pm for June
9 am to 3 pm for July
Closed in August until orientation 

Class Materials

Course materials will be available online through Canvas. If you have further questions about materials, please send an email to arbitration@wcl.american.edu.

Please note that you will not be able to print at WCL. If you need printed materials, please download the readings from Canvas and print at home.

Pence Law Library

The Pence Law Library is open to the general public. Library hours for the summer term can be found on the Pence Law Library website http://library.wcl.american.edu/hours.cfm.

To start a search for books and periodicals, go to http://library.wcl.american.edu/ and click on “Leagle, Library Catalog.” The catalog identifies all of the materials housed in the library, as well as electronic resources available for use within the library.

Many periodicals, including law reviews, bar journals, and newsletters are available through HeinOnline, a full-text electronic database available on the Pence Law Library website, under “Research Tools.” Many indexes to legal periodicals are also available at this link. Links to all available research databases are located under “Information Resources, A to Z” or “Information Resources by Topic.” These links offer non-legal or more specified research tools. To access these resources from the Pence Law Library webpage, you must be connected to the WCL network, either in the law school or via remote access using your my.american.edu password.

Professional reference assistance is available in the main reading room on the first floor of the Library. During the summer, reference assistance is available daily from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. During the academic year, reference service is available from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday;12:00 p.m. to 5:00 pm Saturday; and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Reference librarians are also available to faculty and students for research consultations by appointment. You may contact a reference librarian at reflib@wcl.american.edu or by telephone at 202-274-4352.

Wireless Network

Please connect to the wireless network named WCL. You will be able to connect to the internet using your username and password. Please note that there is also a guest free WIFI network. Please select AUGuest-ByRCN.

Weather

Washington area weather during the summer months is hot and humid. Temperatures usually range from 29 to 38 Celsius degrees (85 to 100 Fahrenheit degrees) with very high humidity.

Dress

Dress for classes at the university is generally casual. Jeans, skirts, shorts, and athletic shoes are acceptable for both men and women.

Important American University Policies

Sexual Assault/Harassment:

American University does not tolerate sexual misconduct of any kind, in any context.

Intimidating or forcing a person into sexual activity violates American University’s stated values and policies and is punishable with severe  sanctions. Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to, rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. Incidents will be reported to the University as well as local authorities. Various campus groups and offices are available for counseling and support

Failure to abide by these rules could result in dismissal from the Program and/or complications with the law.

Tobacco- and Smoke-Free Policy

This policy prohibits the use of tobacco products and medical marijuana on property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled or operated by the University including campus owned, leased or rented vehicles. The policy applies to faculty, staff, students, vendors, guests, and contractors. Tobacco is defined as all tobacco-derived or containing products, including, but not limited to, cigarettes (clove, bidis, kreteks), electronic cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, hookah-smoked products, and oral tobacco (spit and spitless, smokeless, chew, snuff).

Alcohol/Drug Policy

American University community members uphold university policies and abide by local, state, and federal laws pertaining to alcohol and other drugs. Individuals accept personal responsibility for the outcome of their decisions. Consumption or possession of alcohol/drugs is strictly prohibited in university residence halls. A participant that violates this rule will not only face immediate expulsion from the program but will also be charged for misconduct with the University and the local authorities.