Winter Break 2024-2025
University offices will be closed from December 25, 2024, through January 1, 2025. Checkout instructions will be posted at each desk. Please call Daisy Hill Commons for assistance while desks are closed: 785-864-4515
Overview
Housing & Residence Life offers residents enrolled for the spring 2025 semester the option to stay in their space during the winter break, at no additional cost. Students staying on campus during break are expected to follow community standards and guidelines. Failure to do so may result in loss of building access.
Please be aware that dining options, front desk hours, and mail services will be limited or reduced during winter break.
If you are not planning to return to KU for the spring 2025 semester, you must submit a request to cancel your housing contract. Approved cancellations identified in your Housing & Residence Life contract include withdrawal from KU, graduation, internships located outside of Lawrence, marriage, or participation in study abroad. You can request a cancellation through the myKU Portal.
Staying on campus over break?
Find the information you need to navigate campus life while many student services such as dining, desk hours and mail service are reduced or limited for the winter break.Campus Resources
Fall dining plans continue through winter break. Spring dining plans begin January 3, 2025. If you need to add dining dollars to your account, please visit plan-recharge.ku.edu. The Studio, located in Hashinger Hall, will be the only open dining location from December 21, 2024, through January 12, 2025. For hours of operation visit the KU Dining website. Regular dining hours resume Monday, January 13, 2025.
Residence hall residents staying over winter break will have access to 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 after lunch on December 20 and start again with lunch on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Kitchens and pantries will be open, but food will not be ordered or prepared during the break. Students who use the kitchens and pantries to prepare meals must clean up after themselves.
Beginning Monday, December 23, 2024, all mail addressed to your residence hall or scholarship hall will be held at the winter break mail room in Daisy Hill Commons. Plan accordingly if you receive time-sensitive packages. Items can be retrieved from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Saturday (closed holidays).
Mail held at the winter break mail room will be re-distributed to buildings beginning January 16, 2025.
All desks, with the exception of Daisy Hill Commons, will close at 1:00 P.M. CST on Saturday, December 21, 2024. Daisy Hill Commons will be staffed 24/7. Stouffer, Towers, and McCarthy will re-open with limited hours December 26 through January 15.
| Hall | Desk Hours | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Daisy Hill Commons Desk | 24 hour desk service | 785-864-4515 |
| McCarthy | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (see below for extended hours for basketball games) | 785-864-6545 |
| Jayhawker Towers | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | 785-864-8305 |
| Stouffer Place | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | 785-864-3285 |
| Hawker Apartments | January 15, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | 785-864-4560 |
Residence Hall and Apartment front desks will resume limited hours, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. beginning Thursday, January 16.
All desks resume regular academic year hours for the Spring 2025 semester on Monday, January 20, 2025.
McCarthy Front Desk Hours for Winter Break Basketball Games
Sunday, December 22: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (2:00 p.m. game)
Tuesday, December 31: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. (Game time TBD)
Wednesday, January 10: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. (8:00 p.m. game)
If you rely on the bus system, check https://transportationservices.ku.edu/bus-services for hours and routes during winter break.
Preparing your room to end the semester
Follow health and safety guidelines outlined in the Housing & Residence Life Handbook and leave your space in great shape for when you return.End of semester
Beginning at noon on Saturday, December 21, Housing & Residence Life staff will enter all rooms to conduct health and safety checks. Staff will ensure your room is ready for winter break (windows closed and correctly set thermostat temperature). If there is a vacancy—they will confirm the open space is ready for a new resident and clear of all personal belongings. If the space is not ready, staff may need to prepare the room by closing windows, correcting thermostats, or moving items from vacant spaces. 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.
Find a comprehensive list of KU Student Housing policies in the KU Student Housing Handbook.
If you currently reside in a space that has a vacancy or if a roommate will move out at semester, maintenance and custodial staff will be entering your space to clean and prepare the room for the spring 2025 semester. Staff will be entering rooms between 9:00 a.m. on Monday, December 23, 2024, through 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. 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
End-of-semester move requests will be available beginning December 6, through the myKU portal. You can submit requests until 8:00 A.M. CST, December 16. Move offers will begin being sent on December 16, and all moves must be completed by December 20 at 4:00 p.m.
If you plan to leave campus for winter break, return to the same space and are enrolled for the spring semester, you will have access to your building. You do not need to turn in your room key or request an early arrival. We encourage you to complete the printed checklist that will be taped to your door to ensure a successful departure.
- Set your thermostat to 65 degrees
- Ensure all windows are closed securely
- Pack important personal belongings such as medications, contacts or glasses, and important documents. Winter break is from December 21 through January 20. Housing & Residence Life staff cannot mail or arrange pickup by another individual for forgotten items.
Not Returning for the Spring Semester?
If you are leaving KU at the end of the semester and not returning, you must submit a request to cancel your housing contract. Approved cancellations identified in your Housing & Residence Life contract include withdrawal from KU, graduation, internships outside of Lawrence, marriage, or participation in study abroad.
Request a cancellation through the myKU portal. If your cancellation request is approved, you will be given instructions on how to check out of your space, remove your belongings, and return your key to your hall front desk.
Please call Daisy Hill Commons for assistance with the checkout process: 785-864-4515