Opening and Closing Information
Winter Closing 2026
All residential areas will close on Friday, December 11th, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Residents must complete all closing procedures and vacate their assigned space by this time.
Before You Leave: Complete your Closing Checklist, remove all trash, set your thermostat to 70°F, lock your windows and door, and take all items you’ll need during break. Once you check out, you will not have access to your room until spring opening on Tuesday, January 19th at 11 a.m.
Preparing for Winter Break
Residence Halls
(Central, Crossroads, Farside, Wayback, Outback, and Fort Awesome)
Before you leave for break:
-
- Clean your room and suite common areas.
- Close and lock all windows and lower blinds.
- Unplug all electronics, except institution-provided refrigerators and ovens.
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Empty, defrost, clean, and unplug your refrigerator.
- Tip: Begin defrosting at least 48 hours before departure.
- Remove all trash and recycling.
- Turn off all lights in your room, bathroom, and common areas.
- Set the thermostat to 70°F.
- Take everything you will need during break. Residents will not have access to their rooms after checking out.
- Take valuables home whenever possible.
- Lock your room and/or suite door.
- Complete and sign the Closing Checklist posted outside your door.
Apartments
(The Olde, The Commons, and Alumni Village)
Before you leave for break:
-
- Clean your bedroom and apartment common areas.
- Close and lock all windows and lower blinds.
- Unplug all electronics, except institution-provided refrigerators and ovens.
- Remove all perishable food from refrigerators and kitchens.
- Remove all trash and recycling.
- Turn off all lights.
- Set the thermostat to 70°F.
- Take everything you will need during break. Residents will not have access to their apartments after checkout.
- Take valuables home whenever possible.
- Lock your bedroom and apartment doors.
- Complete and sign the Closing Checklist posted outside your door.
Room Inspections
Residential Life staff will conduct room inspections after residents depart to verify that closing procedures have been completed.
Students found in residential facilities after the closing deadline or found responsible for policy violations may be referred to the Office of Community Standards. Please remember that it is your responsibility to continually check your email during winter break.
Students Not Returning for Spring 2027
This includes students who are:
-
- Graduating in December
- Leaving campus housing
- Participating in a room change for Spring 2027
Before departing:
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- Remove all personal belongings.
- Dispose of all trash and recycling.
- Clean your room, suite, or apartment.
- Close and lock windows and turn off lights if you are the last resident to leave.
- Complete an Express Checkout envelope and include your key(s), if applicable.
- Sign the Closing Checklist and return your Express Checkout envelope to the appropriate RA/RC office.
Important Deadline
If you will not be returning to campus housing for Spring 2027, you must notify the Office of Residential & Student Life by December 1st to avoid penalties.
Questions?
Transportation Planning:
- Don’t wait until the last minute to arrange transportation.
- If you are traveling home for break, make transportation plans early and ensure your vehicle can accommodate all personal belongings you are taking with you.
- All residents must depart by Friday, December 11, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Spring Semester Reminders
Meal Plans
- Meal plans end on Friday, December 11th, 2026
- Meal plans resume on Tuesday, January 19th, 2027
Campus Shuttle/Loop Service
- The Loop services will end on December 11th, 2026
- The Loop service will resume on Tuesday, January 19th, 2027.
2026–2027 Residence Hall Closing and Opening Dates
Event |
Date |
Important Notes |
|---|---|---|
Freshman Student Move In |
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | First Year Students move onto campus. Emails with information will be sent in July and August. Students must sign up for a time. |
Transfer Student Move In |
Thursday, August 20, 2026 | Transfer Students move onto campus. Emails with information will be sent in July and August. |
Returning and Transfer Student Move In |
Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22, 2026 | Returning and Transfer students move onto campus. Emails with information will be sent in July and August. Students must sign up for a time. |
All Residential Areas Close |
Friday, December 11, 2026 | All residential areas (apartments and residence halls) close at 7 p.m. for winter break. Students must leave. |
All Residential Areas Open |
Tuesday, January 19, 2027 | Residential areas re-open at 11 a.m. |
Non-Graduating Students Move Out |
Wednesday, May 12, 2027 | All non-graduating students must be moved out of campus housing by 10 a.m. |
Graduating Students Move Out |
Friday, May 14, 2027 | All graduating students must be moved out of campus housing by 9 p.m. |