Winter Break Guide

WEDNESDAY, DEC 23, 2026–MONDAY, JAN 18, 2027

RESIDENCE HALLS

Winter Break Housing (Dec 23, 2026–Jan 18, 2027) is available to residence hall students for $42 per night. Most residence halls close for winter break at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec 23, 2026; Centennial, Comstock, Sanford and 17th Avenue residence halls remain open for those who choose to stay on campus.

We encourage you to request Winter Break Housing as soon as possible.

17th Ave., Comstock, Sanford and Centennial residents will stay additional nights in their own room. All other residents will be assigned to shared 4-person lounge spaces in Centennial or Sanford. Those staying for winter break will stay in their fall semester assigned space the night of Wednesday, Dec 23 and must move into their break space before 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec 24.

Information Desks will continue 24 hour service until noon on Thursday, Dec 24. The desks in Frontier, Middlebrook, Pioneer and Territorial will then close for break.

17th, Centennial, Comstock and Sanford desks will remain open and move into reduced operations (open 7 a.m.– 3 a.m. daily) through Thursday, Jan 14. Closed halls will have no scheduled desk hours between noon on Thursday, Dec 24 and 7 a.m. on Friday, Jan 15.

APPLY FOR WINTER BREAK HOUSING

APARTMENTS

All apartments remain open during winter break, and apartment residents may stay at no extra charge. Apartment residents should visit the open residence hall information desks (17th, Centennial, Comstock, and Sandord) for any assistance needed during Winter Break. The Informations Desks will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily.

DINING AND RETAIL

The dining halls close for break at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec 23, 2026. Meal service resumes with breakfast on Saturday, Jan 16, 2027. Dining hours are available on the M Food Co. website. If you have a fall semester apartment meal plan, it will not automatically carry over. Please visit Dine on Campus if you would like to sign up for a spring 2027 apartment meal plan.

On-campus retail will be closed from Thursday, Dec 24, 2026 to Monday, Jan 4, 2027.

RETURNING FROM WINTER BREAK

The residence halls reopen at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Jan 16, 2027, for students returning from winter break.

Students living in residence halls that remain open during winter break (Centennial, 17th Avenue, Comstock, Sanford) may sign up to return sooner and pay $42 a night for dates prior to January 16.

Parking is extremely limited near most of our buildings. You should NOT plan to park near the building for pick-up before breaks or drop-offs after break. If you need more time to load or unload your belongings, please park at a campus ramp, campus meter or a city meter. Do not park in loading docks, fire lanes or contract lots as individuals who do so could be ticketed and/or towed.

Key details

As you make plans for the end of your fall semester and winter break, please follow these general tips to ensure a smooth transition for fall closing:

All residents must leave the residence halls on December 23. 2026, unless they pay for winter break housing or live in an apartment.
Confirm all of your windows are securely shut and locked before you leave. This includes both the outer and inner window panes in most locations. Your belongings and the building could be severely damaged if a pipe bursts due to the water freezing if a window is left open.
Bring your own packing materials – boxes, bins, bags – to transport items you’re bringing home for now (carts will be available). When leaving for break, be sure to take everything you need; you will not be able to enter the building to get things you left behind after your residence hall closes.
If you are staying on campus, carry your U Card with you at all times. If leaving, don't forget to bring your U Card back when you return.
Empty your trash and discard all perishable items before leaving.

Please see the additional sections below for more information.

Preparing to leave

Health and safety checks

Checklist

Pack all your essentials. Don't forget medications, airline tickets, passport, phone/laptop chargers, course materials, work uniforms and other items.
Discard all trash, recyclables and perishable items.
Close and lock your windows.
Make sure curtains or blinds are fully open.
Unplug everything, including lamps, alarm clocks and air fresheners.
Have a mini-fridge? Make sure to clean and defrost your fridge at least 24 hours in advance of your departure. Remove any items inside, unplug the fridge, prop open the door and place a towel or tray underneath it overnight to absorb any water. The next morning, wipe down any excess moisture and dry the towels or trays used in and around the fridge. We also recommend leaving the fridge door open while you are gone to allow air circulation and prevent mold and bacteria.
Take your plants or fish with you.
Turn off your lights and lock your door.
Keep your keys with you over the break so you have them when you return in January.

Carts

Security

Recycling and donations

Parking

Parking is extremely limited near most of our buildings.

You should NOT plan to park near the building for pick-up before breaks or drop-offs after break. If you need more time to load or unload your belongings, please park at a campus ramp, campus meter or a city meter.

Parking spaces near the buildings should be used for people immediately picking up or dropping off.

Do not park in loading docks, fire lanes or contract lots as individuals who do so could be ticketed and/or towed.

Current Residents

Your guide to your building's resources, services, and support.

Housing Contract

Review terms, provisions and payment information to secure your housing space.

Change or Cancel

Requests to cancel or change housing assignments must be made in advance.