Winter Break Closing

As students prepare to wrap up the Fall semester, it is essential to know the process for Winter Break closing. All residents are expected to vacate their residence hall within 24 hours after their last final exam. All residence halls will close at 12 p.m. (noon) on Sunday, December 15, 2024, and will begin to reopen for continuing students on Friday, January 10, 2025.

Students may leave their personal belongings in the room; however, students should take anything they might need during the break (computers, phone chargers, medications, etc.). Students will not have access to the residence halls during the break period. Students should follow the steps below to ensure their room is properly prepared. Students should refer to the spring move-in schedule for information on when their respective halls and floors are permitted to return to campus.

Students returning for the Spring semester are not required to turn in their keys prior to leaving for winter break. Students not returning for the Spring semester must contact their residence hall staff to complete a traditional checkout. Students not returning for Spring must complete a cancellation form in the housing portal and remove all items before winter break.

Students will need to remove all items from their bathrooms during the winter break. This includes towels, rugs, soaps, caddies, etc. Items left in the bathrooms will be discarded.

• Clean room.
• Take out all trash to the dumpster.
• Remove all items from your bathroom (shower, toilet, and sink areas).
• Dispose of all perishable food (including empty bottles and cans) in the refrigerator.
• Personal refrigerators must be defrosted, cleaned and left with the door open (This includes micro-fridges). Do not unplug the University-provided full-size refrigerator in the apartment-style housing areas.
• All electronics and other appliances must be unplugged, including TVs, lamps, video game systems, etc. Any stove or microwave provided by the University does not need to be unplugged.
• Close and lock all windows.
• Thermostats: 
  • In Annie Day Sheppard, Ruffin, Chidley North, Eagleson, and New Residence II residence halls, the thermostats should be set at 72 degrees.
  • In the Eagle Landing residence hall, George Street Suites, Lawson Street Suites, and Alston Avenue Apartments, the thermostats should be set on auto, cool, at 72 degrees.
  • In Lawson Street Suites, George Street Suites, and Alston Avenue Apartments students will need to move all items away from the HVAC units.
• If the room is located on the ground floor, please make sure the blinds are lowered and closed. All other floors should have their blinds lowered and opened.
• Please make sure all window coverings (draperies) are removed.
• Ensure all personal belongings are removed from the floor.
• Turn off all lights.
• Lock all doors!

North Carolina weather can be unpredictable. The state has experienced freezing temperatures that may lead to frozen pipes and unexpected leaks during this time. It is important students ensure all personal items (sheets, pillows, blankets, electronics, etc.) remaining in the residence hall during the break are stored in a plastic bin.

Note: The University assumes no responsibility or liability for the personal property of students. This includes damage due to fire, water, theft, etc. Students desiring protection from incidental damages must make their own arrangements for insurance. For more information on renter’s insurance, students can refer to the Residential Life website.

New housing assignments will be given to transfer, readmitted and newly admitted students during the winter break period. If a student currently occupies a double room and is the only occupant, they should ensure one side of the room (bed, closet, desk, etc.) is clear and free of any belongings before leaving for break. Any student found occupying a vacant space may be charged a daily rate for that additional space. Students who have a vacancy must keep all belongings on their side of the space. Items found on the vacant side of the space will be discarded.

Staff will be entering each room (in all residence halls) to verify that all rooms are prepared for winter break. An improper checkout fine will be charged to suites, rooms and/or individuals who fail to properly prepare before leaving for break. Any resident found in the building or attempting to swipe in the building during the residence hall closure period without prior approval via email will be sent through the student accountability process. During the break, maintenance and facility staff may be entering rooms to complete work orders or preventative maintenance.

Students should stop by their community’s office to pick up any items that were confiscated during the semester. All items that are not picked up prior to the residence hall closing will be discarded.

The residence halls will close for Winter Break. Students are expected to vacate their space by the deadline. Only students with documented hardships and extenuating circumstances are considered for housing accommodations during building closures.

The Office of the Dean of Students assists Residential Life in confirming information provided by students requesting to stay during intersession and break periods.  

For more information on intersession and break housing, please go to the Residential Life website.