Leaving for Winter Break
Residence communities close for Winter Break at 7 p.m. Friday, December 8. Staff members will check every room that evening to ensure our facilities are safe and secure for the break period.
Your MavCARD will be deactivated for break, which means you will not have access to your residence community.
Any resident found staying in the residence communities during break who did not register will be charged for the full rate ($530) plus an administrative fee ($50) and may be subject to disciplinary proceedings.
Residence communities open at 8 a.m. on Friday, January 5. Lunch is the first meal served.
Before you Leave for Winter Break
- Remove all valuable items from your room. We are not liable for loss of personal belongings left in your room.
- Turn off and unplug computers and other electrical items in your room, except for refrigerators.
- Remove all perishable items from your refrigerator. If you decide to unplug your refrigerator, defrost it and leave the refrigerator door open.
- Return all To-Go Meal containers to the University Dining Center, 1872 Grill, or Chet's Place before you leave.
- Take all plants and fish home. If this is impossible, aquarium equipment may be left plugged in. The University assumes no liability for fish or plants left in the room.
- Make sure all windows are closed and locked.
- Close your blinds if you live on the first floor.
- Take out your garbage.
- Turn all lights off.
- Close your door and make sure the lock is secure.
Changing Rooms for Spring Semester?
If you are changing rooms for the Spring Semester, you must move to your Spring room assignment before you leave for Winter Break. Coordinate your move to your new room with the Student Services Coordinator in your area.
Mail & Packages
Mail and packages received during the break period will continue to be accepted, however, items will be held at a central location until students return on Friday, January 5. Mail will not be placed in resident mailboxes during winter break (unless they have registered for winter break housing).
When packages are delivered at Front Desks in January, residents will begin receiving email notifications.
Temporary Mail Forwarding Option
Students who want their USPS mail forwarded for break should complete a temporary mail forwarding request.
Make an online request with the USPS.
If using this option, you MUST mark "Temporary" on the site and there is a $1.00 convenience charge to complete the form online (payable by credit card). Per USPS guidelines, the credit card must have the same address as the one being forwarded.
Parcel couriers (UPS, FedEx, etc.) do not offer this option and will NOT be forwarded by Residential Life during winter break. If you are ordering items for yourself over break, have them shipped to the address you will be staying at.
Take Your Car With You
Only residents registered for Winter Break Housing may keep their cars in on-campus parking lots. If you are going home over break you must take your car with you or find other parking arrangements. Vehicles deemed abandoned after 7 days may be ticketed/towed from the campus at the owner's expense.
Forget Something?
If you forgot to take something home that you NEED and want to come back for it, contact the Residential Life Office (507-389-1011) during business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or University Security after business hours (507-389-2111). A staff member will meet you and escort you to your room.
