BREAKS/ HOLIDAYS

Open Breaks

All residence halls and houses will remain open and accessible during the Fall and Spring break periods unless otherwise communicated. Students who wish to remain on campus will fill out an occupancy form that sent from the Residential Life email.

Closed Breaks

During closed breaks the University will be closed and students will not be allowed to return until reopening. Students must plan to take ALL needed belongings with them for the break, including medications, credit cards, driver’s licenses, passports if needed for traveling, house or car keys, etc. Residential Life staff will NOT be available to grant access to any rooms or to retrieve items on behalf of a student during the winter vacation; if a student forgets anything in their room, they will not be able to access that item until their return. Closed Breaks include (Thanksgiving and Winter Break)

Students must complete the following actions before departing campus for the break: 

• Unplug and defrost all personal refrigerators (this may take up to 24 hours to complete) - unplug the refrigerator, crack the door open, and lay down a towel to collect any melting ice
• Remove ALL trash and recycling from your room and place it in the appropriate receptacle
• Unplug all electronics left in your room
• Secure your room: close and lock all windows, lower and shut all blinds, turn off the lights, and lock the door beyond you - don't forget to take your room key with you!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I AM UNABLE TO RETURN TO MY HOME. AM I ABLE TO PETITION TO REMAIN ON CAMPUS OVER THE Closed BREAK?

Students who believe they are unable to leave campus due to exceptional circumstances (e.g. homelessness, emancipated foster youth, inability to return to home country due to travel restrictions, etc.) may petition to reside on campus during the breaks. The petition form will be made available prior to the break. As available space on campus is highly limited, we anticipate that very few petitions will be approved; we suggest that students arrange winter plans accordingly.

 

I AM NOT PARTICIPATING IN AN APPROVED EARLY PROGRAM IN JANUARY. CAN I REQUEST AN EARLY ARRIVAL FOR THE EASTER TERM ANYWAY?

Yes, but only if you have a valid need to return early. Students who are not participating in one of the approved early programs but believe they have a need to return to their residence early (e.g. due to studying for comps in the first exam period, special international travel concerns, etc.) may petition for permission to return to campus early via this form. Approval is not guaranteed, and students may NOT return early without express written permission in the form of an approval message from the Office of Residential Life. 

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF I FORGET SOMETHING IN MY ROOM? 

Staff are NOT available over the break and thus will be unable to assist you if you forget anything in your room. Please take extra care in packing for the break to be sure that you have packed ALL items you may need while the residences are closed including: medications, passports, credit cards, study materials (e.g. books, notebooks, laptop) and house/car keys.

 

DO I NEED TO TAKE MY ID CARD AND ROOM KEY WITH ME OVER THE BREAK?

Yes. You will need both in order to access your residence hall or house and room when you return in January. All rooms will be inspected AND locked after you depart in December - be sure that you bring your room key with you so that you are not locked out when you return after the break.

 

MAY I LEAVE MY CAR AND/OR BICYCLE ON CAMPUS OVER THE BREAK?

Yes. If you plan to leave your vehicle on campus, please park it in the Kentucky Ave. parking lot (near the Tennessee Williams Center) to maximize the security of your vehicle. You may leave your bicycle on campus at the nearest available bicycle rack. Please be sure to secure your bicycle to the rack with a lock.

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT DEPART FOR THE BREAK ON TIME?

Residential Life will communicate check out information as early as possible in order to give you plenty of time to plan and prepare for an on-time departure. Late departures by any residents delay the final closure of the halls and houses, and will therefore incur fines in the amount of $25 per half-hour after the closing deadline that you remain in your residence.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

Please contact the Office of Residential Life at reslife@sewanee.edu.