Housing for Local Graduate Students
During the Fall 2013 semester, Wesley began offering housing to American University students in Straughn Residence Hall. Beginning Fall 2016, Wesley opened its doors to all graduate students in the DC/MD/VA area.
Limited housing is available to graduate students age 21 or older. Housing is only available for students without campus housing options at their home school.
Conveniently located right next door to American University on Massachusetts Avenue, residents have access to AU campus resources and proximity to public transportation.
Please explore our information below to determine if housing at Wesley is right for you.
Any graduate student age 21 or older by the date of move-in may be eligible for housing at Wesley Seminary. Students must be enrolled in 6 credits or more (per fall and spring semesters) and complete the housing application (including background check and interview). Additionally, students must not have on-campus options available to them to qualify.
Wesley's Straughn Dormitory is conveniently located right next door to American University on Massachussetts Ave, NW. A graduate theological school of the United Methodist Church, Wesley Seminary came to Washington, DC from Westminster, MD in 1958. Our land was purchased from American University, a school affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Our shared history explains our ongoing collegiality and occasional partnership.
Deposit
Residents moving to Straughn Dormitory are required to pay a $350 deposit prior to move-in day. A portion of this deposit ($325) is refundable, assuming all conditions are met when students vacate and keys are returned. The rest of this deposit ($25) is non-refundable and covers a routine background check required of all applicants.
Rental Charges
Rental charges can be paid in installments or a one-time lump sum, prior to the start of each semester. Please note that students who elect to pay in installments are subject to a payment plan fee ($25) each semester.
| Cost Per Semester | ||
| Double Occupancy | $3480 | |
| Single Occupancy | $4285 |
Additional Campus Housing Expenses
| Cost | |
| Coin-Operated Washing | $2.00/load |
| Coin-Operated Drying | $1.75/load |
| Housing Deposit (partially refundable) | $350.00 |
| AU Main Campus Gate Key Deposit (refundable) | $10.00 |
| Vending Machine (Soda) | $1.50 |
| Meals (Lunch or Dinner, M-TH) - Wesley Refectory | $9.00 |
Parking & Meals
Students may elect to participate in Wesley's meal plan ($1,195 per semester, fall and spring only) or purchase a parking permit from American University to park in the Katzen Parking Garage. Students are welcome to eat in the Wesley Refectory if they wish, and may purchase meal tickets to do so in lieu of a meal plan, but parking for non-Wesley students is not available in Wesley's parking lot.
One of the greatest benefits of living on our campus is the security of knowing that maintenance-related expenses and tasks are taken care of for you. In Straughn Dormitory, even light bulbs and toilet paper are provided by our Facilities Department! Maintenance-related help is only an email away.
In addition, wireless internet and all utilities are provided. Air conditioning units and ceiling fans are provided in each room for use during summer months. Heating for the building is centrally controlled. Each student will be provided with a password to access wireless internet. Satellite TV is provided in Welliver Lounge.
Housekeeping Staff clean common areas including bathrooms daily, but do not clean up directly after students (dishes, removing trash from student rooms, etc). Dumpsters are located in the Wesley parking lot for students to dispose of trash and recycling. Resident Managers are assigned to live in the building, and all RMs will rotate after-hours duty in case of emergency.
All rooms in Straughn Dormitory are furnished with the following pieces. Unless denoted, each listed piece can be re-positioned in the room according to resident preference:
- two twin-sized beds on metal frames
- two student desks and chairs
- two wall-mounted bookshelves (cannot be repositioned)
- one armchair
- two fixed wardrobes (cannot be repositioned)
- two fixed dressers (cannot be repositioned)
- one night table
- window drapes
- portable air conditioning unit
Students moving to campus are advised that the following items are recommended/acceptable to bring:
- bed linen, including twin-sized sheets, blankets and pillows
- area rugs (room measures approximately 11'x15')
- towels and any personal toiletries (toilet paper is provided)
- dorm-sized refrigerators
- bed risers to raise bed height and utilize underbed area for additional storage
- personal fan (please note that space heaters are prohibited)
Students moving to campus are advised that the following items are prohibited in your dormitory room:
- halogen lamps
- space heaters
- microwaves
Residents who live in Straughn Dormitory will be welcomed into the Wesley Community. These students will have access to study in our library, eat in our Refectory and participate in the life of our community. Students will be welcomed at any scheduled community meals, our community worship, and whatever other events occur.
In the building, students will have access to Welliver Lounge, the computer lab, the Prayer Room, exercise area, study room, and community kitchens. They will be required to attend regular dorm meetings.
Because it is our hope that all residents will not merely be tenants but will be members of our community, students must agree to sign our Covenant of Professional Ethics and Behavior, which governs student behavior and interactions on campus. Violations will be treated in the same manner as violations of Wesley students: consultation with the Associate Dean of Community Life. Additional measures and potentially expulsion from Wesley Campus Housing will be taken if necessary.
The Housing Application for non-Wesley graduate students involves the following process:
- Submit online housing application by July 1 for priority consideration. Be sure to complete all fields and be thorough in your responses.
- You will receive a follow-up email confirming your application submission including additional instructions. You will be required to submit to the Housing Office the following signed/completed documents within 1 week of receipt:
- Wesley Seminary Covenant of Professional Ethics and Behavior
- Authorization to Release Information for Background Check ( 2 pages)
- Wesley Seminary will process your request and run your background check, upon receipt of your follow-up documents.
- An interview will be scheduled (in person or via skype) with the Residence Life Director or member of Res Life staff. This interview will be a time for you to ask questions regarding life on-campus at Wesley as well as for Wesley to get to know you.
- Following your interview and successful background check, your housing assignment will be made and you will receive notification via email. You will be required to make your housing deposit and rental payment if applicable. Deadlines for payments will be included in your housing assignment email. You will be required to submit the following documents:
- Copy of student schedule.
- Acknowledgment of Receipt of Housing Contract
- Emergency Contact Information Form
- Your move-in will be scheduled for mid August. Welcome to your new home at Wesley Seminary!
If you meet the eligibility requirements and think that housing in Straughn Dormitory is right for you, apply now!
