Winter Break 2011

We strongly recommend that you read this entire page including ALL "Winter Break Policy" and "Winter Break Procedure" information below before submitting a Winter Break Housing Request Form and/or closing your campus residence for break.

All campus residences (halls, apartments, Commons) close for fall 2011 Friday, December 16th, at 6:00pm

All campus residences (halls, apartments, Commons) re-open for spring 2012 Sunday, January 8th, 10:00am

With the exception of students who are members of a winter sport athletic team, any student (student with an on campus job, international student, etc.) who needs to be on campus for any portion (regardless of length) of Winter Break is required to submit a request* for Winter Break housing no later than 4pm on Friday, December 2nd.

Unless a student has been granted permission to stay on campus for Winter Break, s/he is required to leave campus within 24 hours of her/his last final exam.

Only students who have been granted permission to stay on campus during Winter Break or who have been granted permission to return early may be on campus during the break.

The deadline to submit an on-line request* for winter break housing was Friday, December 2nd at 4:00pm. Students who missed the on-line request deadline must now contact the Office of Residential Life via e-mail or by calling 570-321-4147.

*Submission of a request does not guarantee permission to stay in campus housing during the break. You will be notified via e-mail if your request has been approved/denied. Also, if approved to stay on campus for personal reasons during any/all of Winter Break a $31.00/day charge will be posted to the student account.

Important to note:

  • The Dining Hall will close after lunch on December 16th and is closed for the entire break and will re-open with dinner on January 8th.
  • The Office of Safety & Security is open 24/7 during the entire break.
  • All other College Offices (including Residential Life) are officially closed December 23, 26, 27, 28, 30 and January 2.
  • For any emergencies or facility issues on those days residents will need to contact the Office of Safety & Security at (570) 321-4064/4911. Please do not submit on-line work requests for any housing issues during the week(s) of December 23, 2011 - January 2, 2012.
  • Residential Life student staff (RAs) are NOT on duty during break.

Winter Break Policy

All Apartments, Asbury, Wesley, East and Crever Halls will close for the entirety of Winter Break. With the exception of emergency lighting and the bare minimum heat to keep pipes from freezing, these buildings will be closed and off limits to students. The remaining residence halls (Skeath, Rich, Forrest and Williams) and the Commons will remain open for students who have permission to stay during Winter Break. Students approved to stay on campus for all or part of Winter Break who currently live in the Apartments, Asbury, Wesley, East and Crever Halls will be required to move into another campus residence during the break as assigned by Residential Life. Students who are going home for the break but who reside in Skeath, Rich, Forrest, Williams and the Commons must be aware that students may temporarily be assigned to their residence during the break.

Students who need to be on campus during the break must request permission by submitting an on-line request to stay on campus form on the Residential Life page of the College website. A room fee (per night) will be assessed to all approved students for Winter Break housing. The only exceptions are international students, student-athletes (Winter sports), and students working on-campus jobs over the break. Break housing residents are permitted to have only break housing residents as guests in their rooms and buildings; they may not have any overnight guests. Please note: campus dining (dining hall, Jack's Place, and 1812 Cafe) is closed during the entirety of Winter Break; in other words, there is no meal plan service during this time. Meal service typically ends with lunch on the day that break begins and resumes with dinner the day that break ends.

Winter Break Procedures

Each year there are students who leave for winter break and return for the spring semester as well as students who need to stay on campus during the break. There are also students who leave for break and do not return to campus for spring semester (graduates, study abroad, etc.) Below is information regarding the closing of your campus residence for Winter Break 2011.

Please read and follow the instructions in the section which applies to your specific situation (ie.- Approved to stay on campus during break; Leaving campus and returning for spring 2012; Leaving campus but not returning for spring 2012.)

Important Note: Failure to complete any/all of the steps listed below will result in a minimum $25 sanction/fine.

If you have any questions, concerns or need clarification on any policy or procedure, please don't hesitate to contact your RA, SLC, House Manager or the Office of Residential Life.

Students Who Are Approved To Stay On Campus During Winter Break 2011


Residents Of Apartments, Asbury, East, Wesley, And Crever Halls

All residents should do the following before moving into their "temporary" assignment:

  1. Pack all items you will need during the break and move to your temporary assignment. (Note: access to your regular residence will be granted for emergency issues only.)
  2. Store all food in sealed plastic or metal containers.
  3. Clean the residence and empty all trash.
  4. Unplug all* electrical items. In other words, there should be nothing plugged into any outlet in a residence including power strips (*exception, see b. below.)
    1. Residence hall residents need to empty, defrost, and unplug refrigerators and leave the door open to avoid mildew.
    2. Apartment and Commons residents need to throw away perishable items but do NOT need to unplug their "College provided" refrigerator or remove items in the freezer. However, any additional units must be emptied, defrosted and unplugged and the door left open. Note: the College does not take responsibility for plants or fish left in student residences over any break.
  5. Turn off all lights.
  6. Close and lock all windows.
  7. Pull the window shade(s) up/down halfway.
  8. Lock all doors.
  9. Other instructions will be communicated to you by the Office of Residential Life.

Moves to the temporary housing location must be completed by: MONDAY, DECEMBER19th at noon.

Residents of Williams, Forrest, Rich, and The Commons

Residents of any room/Commons unit to which a temporary (Winter Break) resident will be assigned will receive instructions and information from the Office of Residential Life in advance.

Students Who Are Leaving Campus For Break & Returning For Spring 2012

To protect campus residences and property from fire, theft, pest infestation, and any other damage, all residents should do the following before leaving campus:

  1. Store all food in sealed plastic or metal containers.
  2. Clean the residence and empty all trash.
  3. Unplug all* electrical items. In other words, there should be nothing plugged into any outlet in a residence including power strips (*exception, see b. below.)
    1. Residence hall residents need to empty, defrost, and unplug refrigerators and leave the door open to avoid mildew.
    2. Apartment and Commons residents need to throw away perishable items but do NOT need to unplug their "College provided" refrigerator or remove items in the freezer. However, any additional units must be emptied, defrosted and unplugged and the door left open. Note: the College does not take responsibility for plants or fish left in student residences over any break.
  4. Turn off all lights.
  5. Close and lock all windows.
  6. Pull the window shade(s) up/down halfway.
  7. Lock all doors.
  8. Move your vehicle to a student parking lot if you plan to leave it on campus during the break.

All campus residences (halls, apartments, Commons) close for fall 2011:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16TH AT 6pm.

Unless a student has been granted permission to remain on campus after closing s/he is expected to close her/his residence and leave campus by this time.

Students Who Are Not Returning To Campus For Spring 2012

Students who know when they leave for break that they are not returning to the College next semester must do the following:

  1. Complete an Express Check-out form (available in the Office of Residential Life) or schedule a check-out appointment with an RA/House Manager 24 hours in advance of the time you plan to leave campus.
  2. Clean your campus residence and make sure all College furniture is in place.
  3. Return any College issued key(s) to the Residential Life staff or the Office of Safety & Security with the appropriate paperwork at time of check out.

Check-outs for non-returning students must be completed by: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16th at 6pm.