Community Living Residential Life

Academic Break Housing Information

Housing Information and procedures Winter and Spring academic breaks for students living in Residential Life managed housing.

Thanksgiving Break Information

If you plan on being in the halls or on-campus Thursday, Friday, or Saturday of Thanksgiving Break, you are required to register for Thanksgiving Break Housing through the Housing Portal. Be sure to log into the Housing Portal via WebSTAC. 

Thanksgiving Break Housing is provided at no additional charge as long as you register by the Tuesday before Thanksgiving Break begins. If you register after this date or fail to register and stay on-campus, you will be charged $150 ($50 per night rate for the break).

The Office of Residential Life will be closed Thursday – Sunday of Thanksgiving Break. We will still have Resident Advisors On-Duty during their normally schedule times.

For information about dining over the Thanksgiving Break, visit the Dining Services website.

Winter Break Information

Residence halls will close on Thursday, December 22 by 11:59 a.m. 

Register for Winter Break Housing via WashU Housing Portal. Be sure to log into the Housing Portal via WebSTAC. It will remain open until December 21. After this time, any Winter Break Housing submitted will be considered an Early Arrival request for the Spring Semester and be subject to our $50 per night early arrival fee.

For information about dining over the Winter Break, visit the Dining Services website.

What are your Winter Break plans?

Staying for the entire Winter Break

  • You must complete the Winter Housing Form via the WashU Housing Portal in order to maintain access to residential facilities. You will check the box to stay for the entire break once you are inside of the form.

Leaving for the entire Winter Break and returning to the same Residential Life space for the Spring Semester

  • Complete the Winter Checklist before leaving campus. (see below)
  • Take your key card home with you so that you have it available to use when you return in the Spring
  • You do not need to move-out or pack up any items

Staying for a portion of Winter Break, leaving for the remainder of Winter Break, and returning to the same Residential Life space for the Spring Semester.

This could be because you are planning to stay for a short period or waiting on a flight. You will complete the following steps:

  • You must complete the Winter Housing Form via the WashU Housing Portal in order to maintain access to residential facilities. You will select specific departure date when you complete the form. You will lose access at 11:59 p.m. on your selected date of departure. 
  • Complete the Winter Checklist before leaving campus. (see below)
  • Take your key card home with you so that you have it available to use when you return in the Spring
  • You do not need to move-out or pack up any items

Leaving the university permanently or not returning to Residential Life Housing in the Spring Semester.

This means that you are not planning to return to residential life housing for the Spring Semester.

This could mean you are leaving to Study Abroad, a December Graduating Senior, a leave of absence, or have a different situation.

  • Graduating senior contracts will end when residence halls close Thursday, December 22, 11:59 a.m. Graduates must be completely moved out by that time.

Leaving for Break: Complete the Winter Checklist

Residents who plan to leave for Winter Break but return for the Spring semester should adhere to the following procedures. All rooms will undergo Health and Safety inspections during the Winter Break. Fines will be assessed for any damages.

  • Keep heat on (65 degrees or low) but DO NOT TURN OFF.
  • Close all of your windows.
  • Close your blinds. 
  • Unplug everything (defrost the refrigerator then leave unplugged). Fish tanks may remain plugged in.
  • Remove all perishable items and throw items away. (This includes perishables in the fridge)
  • Unplug your alarm clock.
  • Take out the trash and recycling.
  • Move furniture away from the heater or vents.
  • Remove bikes from your room. (We recommend you register your bike if you haven’t already, purchase a lock from WUPD and lock your bike to a bike rack station on campus)
  • Move all electronics up off the floor.
  • Turn off all lights. 
  • Lock your door(s). 

Take all valuables with you while at home for winter break. Residential Life will not provide shipping of items. 

Additional Information

Quiet Hours

24-Hour Quiet Hours begin on when reading week/finals begins and will remain in effect until the Residence Halls close for the semester. There will be a $50 fine for all violations. Please review the academic calendar for the dates of reading week/finals.

Health and Safety Inspections

Residential Life staff as well as maintenance staff will conduct routine facilities and safety checks, also known as Health and Safety checks. Each Residential College Director will inspect each room in their college for damage, missing furniture, etc. during the Winter Break. Additionally, staff will be triple checking that you have completed the Winter Checklist items communicated to you via website, poster, WashU Housing Portal and Res Life reporter (also shown below).

Participating in Formal Sorority Recruitment

If you are looking to arrive early for formal sorority recruitment, Campus Life has outlined the process for individuals participating on their website here. Our office will not be allowing students to return prior to this groups approved date. You must be participating in formal sorority recruitment for this process.