Thanksgiving Break

Break Housing Options

All North Campus residence halls are closed for break. If you need break housing, you will need to request it by 12:00 p.m. (noon), Friday, November 22.

If you are approved, you will stay in a converted lounge in La Plata Hall. You will be required to move over to La Plata Hall on Tuesday, November 26 between 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. You will not have access to your current assignment between Tuesday, November 26, at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 1, at 10:00 a.m.

Students should bring bed linens, blankets, and any personal items they need for the week. There’s a shared kitchen with basic accessories, but if you need specific cookware, please bring it.

One-Night-Only Requests (Tuesday Night)

Residents who are unable to leave on Tuesday night may submit a request to stay overnight and leave by 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27. An approved request will allow card access to the hall until 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 27. There is no cost associated with this overnight stay. Card access will deactivate promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Full Thanksgiving Break Housing Request

Break housing options are available for North Campus residents in La Plata Hall lounges. If you need Thanksgiving Break housing, please apply before Friday, November 22 at noon via the Housing Portal to be considered for a temporary La Plata Hall lounge assignment. Our team will do our best to respond within two (2) business days.

A limited number of spaces are available and priority is given to international students and those with extenuating circumstances. 

Approved residents will be placed in a lounge with up to five (5) other occupants for the break period. A bed and a dresser are provided for each of the six (6) students in the lounge; one phone line is also provided in each lounge for the residents to share.

The cost for temporary break lounge housing is $80.00 and will be billed to the student account the week after break. Full break housing cancellations must be made by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, November 26. Late cancellations will incur a $25.00 fee billed to your student account.

Cancel Request

Should you find that you no longer need break housing, visit the Housing Portal to cancel your request before 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, November 26 in order to receive a full refund. Any cancellations after the approved start date may incur a fee.

Housing Portal

Login to the Housing Portal to make a Thanksgiving Break Housing Request.

Break Housing Options

Residents who live in La Plata, Johnson-Whittle, Pyon-Chen, or any South Campus halls may request to stay in their current assignment for a fee. All requests must be submitted no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon), Friday, November 22.

One-Night-Only Requests (Tuesday Night)

Residents who are unable to leave on Tuesday night may submit a request to stay overnight and leave by 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27. An approved request will allow card access to the hall until 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 27. There is no cost associated with this overnight stay. Card access will deactivate promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Full Thanksgiving Break Housing Request

Students who live in South Campus residence halls, La Plata, Johnson-Whittle, or Pyon-Chen may request to stay in their current assignment for the entire break. If approved, card access will continue throughout the full break period. The cost for break housing is $160.00 and will be billed to the student account the week after break.

Cancel Request

Should you find that you no longer need break housing, visit the Housing Portal to cancel your request before 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, November 26 in order to receive a full refund. Any cancellations after the approved start date may incur a fee.

Housing Portal

Login to the Housing Portal to make a Thanksgiving Break Housing Request.

Break Housing Options

The Leonardtown Community will be closed from 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 26, through 10:00 a.m. Sunday, December 1. Please review the information below about break housing options (if applicable).

One-Night-Only Requests (Tuesday Night)

Residents who are unable to leave on Tuesday night may submit a request to stay overnight and leave by 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27. An approved request will allow card access to the hall until 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 27. There is no cost associated with this overnight stay. Card access will deactivate promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Full Thanksgiving Break Housing Request

Students who live in Leonardtown may request to stay in their current assignment for the entire break. If approved, card access will continue throughout the full break period. The cost for break housing is $160.00 and will be billed to the student account the week after break.

Cancel Request

Should you find that you no longer need break housing, visit the Housing Portal to cancel your request before 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, November 26 in order to receive a full refund. Any cancellations after the approved start date may incur a fee.

Housing Portal

Login to the Housing Portal to make a Thanksgiving Break Housing Request.

Before you leave for Thanksgiving Break, please ensure the following:

• Take all valuables, passport, computers, books, money, medications, clothing, athletic tickets, etc. you might need during the break 
  Card access will be deactivated at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 26 for those who are not approved for Thanksgiving Break Housing.
• Close and lock all windows
  This prevents the outside elements (i.e. rain) that could cause damage to property from entering your room as well as prevent thefts from the outside.
• Leave your window shades down
  This prevents others from seeing personal items inside of your room.
• Move personal property off the floor
  This could avoid loss or damage if there is a water leak and or flood.
• Turn off the dehumidifier (DO NOT UNPLUG OR MOVE)
  This prevents the dehumidifier from running the entirety of the break, but the drain tube must stay in place.
• Unplug all electrical appliances, clocks, computers, etc. (NOT dehumidifiers)
  This prevents the use of electricity when rooms/buildings are unoccupied. Additionally, electrical surges can cause damage to personal property and create unsafe/hazardous conditions. Please find an off-campus individual to take care of any fish you may have.
• Dispose of perishable or unprotected food
  This prevents the attraction of unwanted insects such as cockroaches or ants to your room.
• Take trash/recycling/compost outside to the appropriate outside container
  This prevents the attraction of unwanted insects such as cockroaches or ants to your room as well as keeps a “musty” smell from developing.
• Turn out all lights 
  This prevents the use of electricity when rooms/buildings are unoccupied.
• Close and lock your door 
  This prevents the entry of non-university-affiliated individuals from entering your space.
• Take your keys with you (except for Leonardtown residents and those with exterior entrances)
  You will need them when you return from break.

Health Center
Please visit the University Health Center website for more information regarding their hours during Thanksgiving Break. In the event of an emergency, call the police at 911 or (301) 405-3333.

Dining Services
Please visit the Department of Dining Services Dining Plan website for more information regarding their hours during Thanksgiving break.

Libraries
Please visit the University Libraries website for more information

DIT Student Computers Help Desk
For hours please call (301) 405-1400.

Parking on Campus
Please visit the Department of Transportation Services website for parking restrictions. Do not park in disabled spaces, fire lanes, or areas not specifically designated for parking.

Stamp Student Union
Limited hours of service during Thanksgiving Break. Please visit the Adele H. Stamp Student Union website or call (301) 314-3375 for the building schedule and details.

Housekeeping
Housekeeping services will be reduced, so residents must move their trash to exterior dumpsters and request bathroom supplies from their Service Desks in advance. Cooking outside of a designated structural kitchen area is prohibited.

Report suspicious persons to Police at 911, then notify Service Desk staff. Do not open doors for University staff members or vendors (i.e., soda, candy, delivery people, etc.); a staff member who has business in your building should have made previous arrangements to gain access. Feel free to request identification.

• Keep your door locked and your keys in your possession at all times.
• Never store your keys in your mailbox. Keep all interior doors closed.
• Call University Police at (301) 405-3333 or 911 and then your Service Desk if you see suspicious or unusual behavior by a stranger or any person not authorized to be in your building.
• Know the identities of other persons staying in your building. Try to learn if there are long periods of time when these residents will be away.
• Do not open your door to any person whom you cannot identify.

If you can't move your valuables home or to an off-campus location, keep them hidden in your room and out of sight. Record serial numbers, brand names, dates of purchases and purchase prices of your valuables. Police will ask for this information in the event of theft or loss.

Scooters may not be stored in your residence hall.

As a safety precaution, keep your room door locked when loading your car or when you step away from your room. Do not make your belongings a target for a thief. Secure your suite/apartment/room prior to your departure. Be sure to complete the Thanksgiving Break Closing Checklist.

It may be necessary for the Department of Resident Life and Department of Residential Facilities staff to enter your space over the break to address maintenance requests, manage unexpected problems, or respond to emergencies. While every effort will be made not to disturb or inconvenience residents, there are times during break periods when a planned or unplanned action must be taken in individual student rooms.

Also, some temporary outages (i.e., heat, hot water) may occur due to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. If possible, you will be notified of these outages in advance.

Resident Life Staff may also enter and inspect units/rooms beginning at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 26, to ensure there are no health and safety issues or violations. Administrative action, billing, and/or judicial referral can result if unauthorized items or unsafe or unclean conditions are found.

Staff is expected to report the presence or evidence of, including but not limited to pets, weapons, electronic skateboards/scooters/vehicles, illegal substances, lounge furnishings, fuel, lofts, or other prohibited items.