Security and Safekeeping
The school is situated in an active public area; bordering on residential and commercial areas. The building is under the public jurisdiction of the District of Columbia police who are responsible for responding to reports of suspicious or criminal behavior in the area. The Administration Office (Rm 203B) has general responsibility for building security.
The school building is open to the public; however, visitors are required to sign-in with the Lobby Receptionist until 5pm. A security guard is on-duty in the Lobby from 5-10:30pm each weekday, from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, and from 1pm to 5:30pm on Sundays to control access and patrol the building and parking lot. Access at other times is available only to those individuals with designated keycards or by use of the special entry call-box. With this limited protection, students are strongly advised to keep personal items well protected.
The school parking lot, although gated and well lighted, is not a secure area and does not have a stationed campus security guard. When the security guard is on duty, a student may request the guard to be an escort at night to the parking lot or the immediate area of Laurel Street. No guard escort can be provided between the building and the Metro station. The local area is lighted and incidents have been virtually non-existent.
This section complies with Public Law 101-542 [Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990] for which an annual security report is maintained and is available to students upon request.
Lockers
A limited number of lockers are available to non-resident students to protect personal items. These lockers are located in the closet near the Reception Desk in the lobby. A refundable $10 fee is charged for use of a locker, but students must provide their own lock. Arrangements can be made through the Student Life Office.
Lost/Found
Items recovered on school property are deposited in a lost/found box located in the locker closet next to the Reception Desk in the lobby.
Health
Hospitals. Those students requiring use of a local hospital should first check their health insurance policies to determine coverage on hospital choice. Nearby hospitals with excellent reputations are:
Washington Adventist Hospital
7000 Carroll Avenue
Takoma Park, MD
301-891-7600
Providence Hospital
1150 Varnum Street, NE
Washington, DC
202-269-7975
Holy Cross Hospital
Forest Glen Road
Silver Spring, MD
301-565-0100
Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving Street, NW
Washington, DC
202-541-5500
Insurance
In cooperation with the Catholic University of America, students needing health insurance may obtain coverage through the CUA policy. Coverage is for a twelve-month period from August to August of each year. Brochures providing information on cost and coverage can be obtained from the Student Life Office. However, the Student Life Office has no administrative responsibility or information about the subsequent processing of any claim. This must be handled directly by the student through the health insurance provider.
Transportation/Parking
Public. The school is accessible by several means of public transportation. The METRO rail system is the main method of getting to and from many principle sites of interest. The METRO has a station (on the RED line) within walking distance of the school at the intersection of Carroll Avenue and Spring Street. Other information on public transportation can be obtained from the Student Life Office.
Private. Driving to school is possible along several routes whether from the Capital Beltway (I-495/95) or through local city streets. The principle exit from the Beltway to the school is Exit 28 in Maryland (New Hampshire Avenue/Langley Park). Directions for other routes to the school can be obtained from the Student Life Office.
Parking. The school has a private lot with limited parking available for students, staff and faculty on a first-come, first-serve basis. This gated lot is located south of the Strayer University building and is accessed from Laurel Street by use of a keycard. The Student Life Office administers distribution of the keycard. If a keycard is lost, a replacement fee of $50 is required to obtain another card. Because the school lot is not guarded, the car should be locked and personal items kept out of sight.
With of the limited parking in the school lot and on nearby streets, students are strongly urged to use carpools or the Metro system as much as possible, especially students from religious communities located near CUA. Note carefully the different time-periods posted on the parking signs.
Dining
General Service. The school offers a contractor-operated, full-service cafeteria for general use. The main entrance is at the rear of the Founders' Hall lobby. Service hours are:
- Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m.to 1:30 p.m.
- Dinner: 5:30p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
There are also soft-drink vending machines and some limited kitchen facilities located in the Student Lounge on the 3rd floor for storing and warming food.
Residents. The kitchen facilities located in the 4th floor residents' lounge are for the restricted use of residents.
Local Eateries. A number of restaurants, cafes and sandwich shops are located within walking distance in the nearby Takoma Park business district.
Copy Services
Internal. Two copy machines are available for students' use in the Reserved Book area (rear of the Library). There is a 10ยข charge per copy. One machine takes cash; one operates using a debit card that can be obtained from the Library staff.
External. For large copy production, stores offering this service are located not far from the school location.
Banking
BankAmerica and SunTrust banks are full-service banks located nearby in the Takoma Park business district. Check cashing privileges vary according to the individual bank.
Identification Cards
The Student Life Office issues a photo identification card to each enrolled student. This card is required for withdrawing books from the Union library. It can also be used for library and some other services from other Consortium institutions, as well as for the purchasing discounted tickets to many Washington area events.