As the semester draws to a close, the Office of Residence Life would like to take this opportunity to remind you of our policies as it relates to closing and occupancy of the halls during winter break.

The halls will officially close at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 19, 2007. The only exceptions that will be made are for those residents that received prior approval from the Residence Life Office. Please be sure to notify your family/friends about the closing date and time to ensure you won’t be locked in/out of the residence halls on the 19th. If anyone is found in the halls during the lockdown process that does not have prior permission will be asked to vacate the premises immediately.

As you prepare to leave, please make sure that you take everything you will need over the break as you WILL NOT have access to the buildings nor be permitted to return or enter them once you leave. All the front door locks will be changed and card swipe access will be removed during this time period. Unsure of what to take – here is a suggested list of items to remember.

Clothes, computer/laptop & cables/plugs; iPod/MP3, headphones, chargers, toiletries, medication, contacts/solution, gaming systems, music, anything else you deem to be valuable or needed

There are 2 buildings that will remain open during the break – Evans Hall and University Towers. While the buildings will remain open, students are only permitted to remain on campus if they are here for a university supported event/program (i.e. academics, athletics, internships). If you need to stay on campus for any of the above reasons, please contact the Office of Residence Life ASAP, so that your name can be added to the winter roster. If you have a need to remain on campus that does not fall under “university supported”, please contact the Office of Residence Life ASAP. We do reserve the right to make exceptions if there are extenuating circumstances that require you to stay during the break. Regardless of your circumstances, notification must be received in our office no late than Monday, December 10, 2007 at 4:00 p.m.

Our winter housing policy is such that if you live in Evans Hall or University Towers and are permitted to stay during the break, you may stay in your own room. If you are permitted to stay and don’t live in either of these buildings, YOU must make arrangements with someone that does live in one of those buildings to stay in their room over the break. The Office of Residence Life has a waiver form available for you to sign if you are able to make those arrangements. If arrangements are made, please note that the Office of Residence Life will not provide you with the access you need to enter the building; you must secure that with the resident you made the arrangements with (keys and/or swipe card).

It is important to mention that the dining facilities will not be open during the break nor will there be Residence Life staff on hand to assist you. Our Public Safety officers will be around should issues arise and can certainly contact the Residence Life staff if needed. If you have additional questions, feel free to speak with your RA or stop by the Office of Residence Life which is located on the 1st floor of Passan Hall (across from Marts Gym).

Best of luck with your finals and enjoy the winter break