Winter Break 2025-2026

Fall dining plans continue through winter break. Spring dining plans begin January 1, 2026. 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 13, 2025, through January 12, 2026. For hours of operation visit the KU Dining website. Regular dining hours resume Monday, January 19, 2026.  

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 12 and start again with lunch on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. 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 15, 2025, 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 January 16, 2026.  

All desks, with the exception of Daisy Hill Commons, will close at 1:00 P.M. CST on Saturday, December 13, 2025. With the exception of Daisy Hill Commons, all desks will be closed on December 24–25 as well as December 31–January 1.

All residence hall and apartment desks will resume limited hours (8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.) starting Thursday, January 16, 2026.

Corbin Hall and Downs Hall (Hubs) will join Daisy Hill Commons in being open 24 hours, 7 days a week starting on Saturday, January 17, while all other desks (except Crawford, which will be closed) will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Regular academic-year desk hours resume Monday, January 19, 2026.

McCarthy Front Desk Hours for Winter Break Basketball Games

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

• Monday, December 16: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. (8:00 p.m. game)

• Sunday, December 22: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. (7:00 p.m. game)

• Monday, January 6: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. (8:00 p.m. game)

• Monday, January 13: 12:00 p.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.

Beginning at noon on Saturday, December 13, 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. You can find a comprehensive list of policies in the Housing & Residence Life 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 15, 2025, through 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. 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 are now available in your myKU Portal. You can submit requests until 8:00 a.m. CST on December 8. Move offers will be sent starting December 8, and all moves must be completed by December 12 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 13 through January 19. Housing & Residence Life staff cannot mail or arrange pickup by another individual for forgotten items.