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Holiday and Winter Break Information

December 13, 2021
Submitted By: Office of Marketing and Communication

The University of Hartford will close for the holiday break at the end of the day on Wednesday, Dec. 22and reopen on MondayJan. 3. Residence halls close at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15.

Faculty, staff, and students will not be allowed to enter campus buildings during the holiday shutdown except for a limited number of essential service units that have received prior approval. Faculty and academic staff who require access to campus during the break should consult with their dean as soon as possible. Other staff members should contact their direct supervisor who will in turn coordinate directly with Chief of Public Safety Michael Kaselouskas (all requests due by Dec. 21). Please do not come to campus and request that Public Safety unlock buildings and/or offices during the break.


Students ​approved for Winter Break housing will have card access to their residential space ​throughout the semester break. Public Safety (860.767.7985) will remain open during the period that the University is closed. The Office of Residential Life will resume normal business hours (M–F, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) on Monday, Jan. 3.

Students not approved for Winter Break housing or part of an approved early arrival group should select a move-in time slot on Monday, Jan. 17, or Tuesday, Jan. 18.


The annual holiday shutdown enables the University to reduce its carbon footprint and realize significant energy savings by keeping most of its buildings closed at reduced temperatures.

During this period in which the University observes its winter holiday closing, it provides paid time off for eligible employees as outlined in the Staff Employment Manual, Chapter 5.03—Holidays.
 The days during this period that are not University recognized holidays will be paid based on the employee’s regularly scheduled workday(s).


A few things to keep in mind about the shutdown:

All University facilities will be closed from Dec. 23–Jan. 2, including the Campus Store, Harrison Libraries, and the Sports Center (open for basketball games on Dec. 30 and Jan. 2). Please see full winter break hours for the Sports Center.
Faculty and staff are requested to help reduce energy consumption by turning off and unplugging electrical devices.(Those who access computers remotely will need to leave their computers on).
For safety reasons, it is especially important to unplug portable heaters.
If you have plants that are sensitive to lower temperatures, you should take them home for the holidays.


Since the University will be closed for the entire period of Dec. 23–Jan. 2, it is suggested that employees set phone voicemail and e-mail auto response to indicate that messages may not be checked until Monday, Jan. 3.

Buildings will reopen by 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 3. Facilities and Public Safety will monitor campus buildings and grounds throughout the shutdown.