Winter Break

Tuesday Night Only

Residents who are unable to leave on Tuesday night may request a Late Stay through the Housing Portal. This will allow the student to stay overnight and leave by 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 18.

If you are approved for a Late Stay, you will continue to have access to your current space after 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 17 until 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 18.

There is no cost associated with this stay.

Leonardtown residents with Late Stay approval must return their keys to the service desk by 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 18.  The desk will close promptly at 9:00 a.m., and keys will not be accepted anytime afterward.

Housing Portal

January 1 - January 24

Information for residents of halls WITH break housing

If you are approved for PARTIAL (January 1—January 24) Winter Break Housing, you can return to your assignment beginning at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 1 for the duration of Winter break. Your card access will reactivate at that time.

The cost for PARTIAL break housing is $690.00 and will be posted to your student account in early January.

Information for residents of halls WITHOUT break housing

If you are approved for PARTIAL (January 1—January 24) Winter Break Housing, you will be assigned a temporary space in a La Plata Hall lounge from Wednesday, January 1 through Friday, January 24. You will pick up a key to your temporary space anytime after 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 1.

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 5 other occupants for the break period. A bed and a dresser are provided for each of the residents in the lounge.

The cost for PARTIAL temporary break lounge housing is $345.00 and will be posted to your student account in early January.

Housing Portal

December 18 - January 24

Information for residents of halls WITH break housing

If you are approved for FULL Winter Break Housing, you can remain in your assignment from 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 17 for the duration of Winter break. Your card access will continue working with no interruption.

The cost for FULL break housing is $1,140.00 and will be posted to your student account in early January.

Information for residents of halls WITHOUT break housing

If you are approved for FULL (December 18 - January 24) Winter Break Housing, you will be assigned a temporary space in a La Plata Hall lounge from Wednesday, December 18 through Friday, January 24. You will pick up a key to your temporary space between 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17.

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 5 other occupants for the break period. A bed and a dresser are provided for each of the residents in the lounge.

The cost for FULL temporary break lounge housing is $570.00 and will be posted to your student account in early January.

Housing Portal

Should you find that you no longer need break housing, visit the student Housing Portal to cancel your request BEFORE the start date of your Break Housing in order to not be billed.

Housing Portal

Leonardtown Residents or Those With Exterior Entrances

Leonardtown residents or those with exterior entrances (without a full Winter Break Housing approval) must return apartment keys to their service desk by 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 17*. If the keys are not returned by the required date/time your student account will be billed $1,140.00 for Winter Break Housing and you will retain access to your apartment during the break.

*Residents with a Late Stay approval must return their keys to the service desk by 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 18. The desk will close promptly at 9:00 a.m., and keys will not be accepted anytime afterward

Sabbath Key Holders

Residents who have Sabbath Keys (without a full Winter Break Housing approval) must return the key to their service desk by 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 17*. If the key is not returned by the required date/time their student account will be billed $425.00 for a lock core change.

*Residents with a Late Stay approval must return their key to the service desk by 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 18. The desk will close promptly at 9:00 a.m., and keys will not be accepted anytime afterward

Resident Life Staff will enter and inspect units/rooms beginning at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 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.

It may be necessary for 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.

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.

Your safety and security are important.  Whether you are approved to stay on campus for the break or leaving, please be sure to review the information below carefully.

Please note: North Campus halls are closed during break periods with the exception of La Plata, Pyon-Chen and Johnson-Whittle Halls. These halls and South Campus halls remain open - you must sign up in advance to stay in La Plata,Pyon-Chen and Johnson-Whittle halls or South Campus halls during Winter Break (at an additional cost).
 
Safety, Security, and other Tips for Break & Low Occupancy Periods

Your safety and security are important. Whether you are approved to stay on campus for the break or leaving, please be sure to review the information below carefully.

It is vital to your personal security that you observe "common sense" safety precautions during the low occupancy housing period. Avoid isolated areas of your building at all times, such as the laundry room, study or recreation lounge, basement areas, etc. In traditional halls, use showers when others you know are in your building. Know the location of the nearest University telephone, call box and blue light emergency phones. Immediately report any broken doors, locks, alarm stations, phones or lights report to (301) 314-9675 (24-Hour Residential Facilities Service Center) so repairs can be made. Never tamper with or disable safety equipment.

Personal Safety

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.

Tips for Securing Your Belongings

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.

Electronic transportation devices (scooters, hoverboards, etc.) may not be stored in your residence hall.

Absence from your Room

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 Break Closing Checklist.

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 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.

Please follow all Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) parking guidelines. For more parking information, please visit the DOTS website.