Break Housing Information

Please complete the below checklist before leaving your housing unit for winter break:

• Take home all belongings (medicine, ID, keys, clothing, etc.) you will need for break. Students will not be permitted in residential spaces after check-out.

• Leave refrigerators plugged in.

• Dispose of any perishable items in refrigerators. RAs will open refrigerators to check for and dispose of any perishable items left in refrigerators and common spaces during Health and Safety Inspections.

• Ensure all windows are closed and locked.

• Leave heat on and set to 68 degrees

• Clean your bedroom and common spaces.

• Wash all dishes.

• Take out and dispose of trash and any food that will spoil in dumpsters.

• Take your room key and Campus ID card.

• Lock your door when you depart.

Residential Life will be entering every housing unit to complete December Health and Safety Inspections, as well as ensure this checklist was completed. Students will be billed for health and safety violations and damage which includes but is not limited to the following: dirty dishes, trash, and perishable items left in refrigerators and common spaces.

Students who will not be returning to on-campus housing for the spring semester should remove their belongings and clean their housing unit before checking out. You will be asked to return your key and officially check out of your space at the Office of Residential Life located in the basement of F Complex. More information is available on the “Move-Out Procedures” page on the Housing website. If the office is closed when you are leaving, please fill out a key envelope and drop your envelope, with the key sealed inside, in the key drop box located outside of our office.

Winter Break housing MAY be available for students beginning Thursday, Dec. 18 through the re-opening for the spring semester. Any student who needs to be on campus during this time will be charged a flat rate of $500 for the Winter Break stay. Students are required to complete a housing application which will be reviewed for approval.  Applications are due December 10th.  Students will be notified ASAP regarding their housing status (approved or not) Students staying for winter break must also be living on campus for Spring 2026 and must have their spring course registration completed.

To complete the Winter Break housing application, please navigate to the housing portal from your self-service center and click on "Housing Applications" then "Winter 2026."

In order to be approved for winter break stay, you must meet one of the following conditions:

• Participating in active athletic competitions or practices.

• Student employment

• Participating in University sponsored programs or activates

• For credit internship, student teaching, or clinicals

• International student

• Extenuating Circumstances

Residential students who will be leaving a car on campus over the winter break period must move it to Public Safety Lot E prior to leaving for security and snow removal purposes. If Lot E is full, please contact Public Safety at 860.768.7985. They will tell you where to park.

Commons will close after lunch on Wednesday, Dec. 17 and will not reopen until the spring term. Students are responsible for providing their own food during break periods. Students who do not live in an apartment or building with a kitchen will be provided access to a shared kitchen space.

To access the Thanksgiving/Spring Break Stay Form:

1. Log into Self-Service. Select "Student Tab."
2. Click on "Residential Life."
3. Log into the Housing Portal.
4. Click on "Forms" at the top of the page.
5. Select the "Break Stay Form."
6. Complete the form.

To access the Winter Break Application:

1. Pay the $50 Winter Break Application fee.

1. Once the $50 Winter Break Application fee posts, log into Self-Service. Select "Student Tab."
2. Click on "Residential Life."
3. Log into the Housing Portal.
4. Click on "Applications" at the top of the page.
5. Select the "Winter" Application.
6. Complete the application.

Please complete the checklist below before leaving your space for Thanksgiving/Spring break:

• Leave refrigerators plugged in.
• Ensure all windows are closed and locked.
• Clean your bedroom and common spaces.
• Wash all dishes.
• Take out and dispose of trash and any food that will spoil in dumpsters.
• Leave heat on and set to the lowest setting.
• Take all valuables with you.
• Take home your room key(s) and Campus ID card.
• Lock your door when you depart.

Please complete the checklist below before leaving your space for Winter break:

• Take home all belongings (medicine, ID, clothing, etc.) you will need for break. Students will not be permitted back in residential spaces after checking out.
• Leave refrigerators plugged in. 
  
  • Dispose of any perishable items in refrigerators. RAs will open refrigerators to check for and dispose of any perishable items left in refrigerators and common spaces during Health and Safety Inspections.
• Ensure all windows are closed and locked.
• Clean your bedroom and common spaces.
• Wash all dishes.
• Take out and dispose of trash and any food that will spoil in dumpsters.
• Leave heat on and set to the lowest setting.
• Take all valuables with you.
• Take home your room key and Campus ID card.
• Lock your door when you depart.
• Check out in the Office of Residential Life

*Residential Life will be entering every housing unit to complete Health and Safety Inspections, as well as ensure the checklist was completed for each break period.

*Students will be billed for health and safety violations and damage which includes, but is not limited to the following: dirty dishes, as well as disposal of trash and/or perishable items left in refrigerators and common spaces.

Fall 2023:

• After Thanksgiving Break meals will begin with dinner on Sunday, Nov. 26; students can return to campus anytime on Sunday, Nov. 26
• Winter closing meals will end after lunch on Wednesday, Dec. 20; residence halls will close for Winter Break on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 10 a.m.

Spring 2024: 

• Spring semester meals begin with breakfast on Monday, Jan. 15
• After Spring Break meals will begin with dinner on Sunday, Mar. 17; students can return to campus anytime on Sunday, Mar. 17
• Spring closing meals will end after lunch on Wednesday, May 8

Students are responsible for providing their own food during break periods. Students who do not live in an apartment or building with a kitchen will be provided access to a shared kitchen space upon request.

View Campus Dining options during break periods.

The Nosh campus food pantry is available for students who need food during break periods. Students can access The Nosh anytime GSU is open before and/or during break periods. Please contact OSEI for more information.

Any resident student who will be leaving a car on campus over a break period must move it to Public Safety Lot E prior to leaving. If Lot E is full, please contact Public Safety at 860.768.7985. They will tell you where to park.