Winter Break

Winter Break 2023-2024

This Winter Break, all Housing residents may stay in their spaces over the break at no additional cost provided they are enrolled for the Spring 2024 semester. We ask that residents please fill out this form to let us know of your intentions.

Students on-campus during break need to follow community standards and guidelines. Failure to do so may result in losing building access during the break.  

Please be aware that dining options will be limited during the Winter Break, and that services, such as front desk hours and mail, will be significantly reduced. Here is a complete rundown of Winter Break services and policies.

Front Desk Hours

All residence halls will have regular front desk hours until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 16.

With the exception of the Daisy Hill Commons, all desks will be closed on December 24 – 25 as well as December 31 – January 1.

Winter Break Front Desk Hours

Residence Hall and Apartment front desks will resume regular 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. hours beginning Thursday, January 11.

Corbin Hall and Downs Hall front desks will join Daisy Hill Commons in being open 24 hours, 7 days a week starting on Saturday, January 13, while all other desks (except Crawford, which will be closed) will be open from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

All desks resume regular hours for the Spring 2024 semester beginning Monday, January 15. 

McCarthy Front Desk Hours for Winter Break Basketball Games

McCarthy Hall will have the following front desk hours during men's basketball games held during the break:

Friday, December 22: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. (7:00 p.m. game)

Saturday, January 6: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (1:00 p.m. game)

Wednesday, January 10: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (1:00 p.m. game) 

Dining Options

Winter break dining hours can be found here on the KU Dining site.
  
Fall KU Dining plans will continue through Winter Break. Spring dining plans will start January 3, 2024.  
   
If you need to add additional dining dollars to your account, please visit plan-recharge.ku.edu.  

Hall Kitchens

Resident hall residents staying over the break will also have access to the community kitchens:  

• Daisy Hill residents can use the kitchen located in Daisy Hill Commons. 

• Corbin and GSP residents can use the kitchen located in Corbin Hall.  

• Downs residents can use the kitchen located in Downs Hall.  

• Naismith residents will continue to have access to the kitchens on their floors. 

Residents who utilize these areas are expected to clean the space and all dishes/utensils used when they are done. Failure to do so will result in follow-up with KU Student Housing staff.  

Scholarship Hall meal service will end on Friday, December 15 after lunch and resume for lunch on Tuesday, January 16. Kitchens and pantries will be open, but food won’t be ordered, nor will meals be prepared, during the break. Students who use the kitchens and pantries to prepare their own meals must clean up after themselves.  

Mail & Packages

Beginning Monday, December 18, all mail addressed to your residence hall or scholarship hall will be held, so plan accordingly if you regularly receive time-sensitive packages. Items can be retrieved from the Winter Break mail room located in Daisy Hill Commons between noon – 5:00 p.m., Monday - Saturday (closed holidays).  

Apartment mail service will continue as normal.

Bus Service

If you rely on the bus system, check KU Transportation Services for hours and routes during winter break.

Health & Safety Checks

Beginning at noon on December 16, KU Student Housing staff will enter all rooms to conduct health and safety inspections. Inspections will be for Winter Break preparedness (closed windows, thermostat temperature) and for vacant space preparation.     
  
Violations of law, university regulations, or hall policy that are in plain sight will be noted and called to the attention of the proper authorities, including law enforcement. For a comprehensive list of KU Student Housing policies, read the KU Student Housing Handbook.

Rooms with Vacancies

If you are currently residing in a space that a resident has recently moved out of, or moves out of during the Winter Break session, Housing staff and maintenance/custodial staff will be entering this space to prepare the room for the Spring 2024 semester. Residents with a vacancy in their room should ensure that their belongings are limited to one side of the room, one dresser, one desk, and one half of the closet at all times. Staff will be entering spaces to prepare rooms starting at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, December 18, 2023 through 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 10, 2024. You will be able to submit an end of semester move request beginning December 1 through December 11. Move offers will begin being sent on December 11, and all moves must be completed by December 15 at 4:00 p.m.

Leaving campus over the Winter Break?

If you’ll be away from campus for the break and planning return for the spring semester, complete the printed checklist that will be taped to your door to ensure a successful departure. Be certain you pack necessary medications, contact lenses, glasses, and important documents you may need during break. You do not need to turn in your room key if you are returning to the same space for the Spring Semester. 

Leaving KU at the end of the semester?

If you are leaving KU at the end of the semester, you will need to cancel your housing contract. Approved cancellations that are identified in your Student Housing contract include withdrawal, graduation, internships, marriage, or Study Abroad.  

Request the cancellation of your student housing contract through the myKU portal. If your cancellation request meets the standard to be approved, you will be given instructions on how to successfully check-out of your space, remove your belongings, and return your key to your hall front desk.  

Wellness & Emergencies

Should you require help dealing with mental health issues or other non-911 emergencies during the break, consider contacting United Way of Douglas County, which connects residents to a wide range of emergency services.  Download their Resource Guide or dial 2-1-1 or visit 211 of Kansas to find the community support you need.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties, consider visiting one of the many Lawrence-based food resources such as Just Food, Westwood House Cupboard, Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen (LINK), or the Ballad Center.