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Residence halls are closed during fall break, Thanksgiving break, winter break, and spring break. Residents are not permitted to occupy the residence hall during any university breaks without approval from Residence Life. All university breaks (and their respected dates) are listed within the Academic Calendar.

2024–2025 Residence Hall Closures

  • Fall break: October 11 at 5:00 p.m. to October 20 at 12:00 p.m.
  • Thanksgiving break: November 26 at 5:00 p.m. to December 1 at 12:00 p.m.
  • Winter break: December 14 at 12:00 p.m. to January 20 at 12:00 p.m.
  • Spring break: March 14 at 5:00 p.m. to March 23 at 12:00 p.m.

Health and Safety Inspections

At multiple points in each semester, typically prior to a university break, health and safety inspections of your room/apartment will be conducted. This is a policy the university authorizes to make sure students are following campus procedures. Staff will be checking each room/suite to ensure everything looks appropriate. Please make sure your room/suite is in proper condition for this inspection. Failed inspections can result in fines and/or community standard violations.

The following prohibited items will be documented if found during health and safety inspections:

  • Alcohol in a room/apt where residents are under 21
  • Drugs/drug paraphernalia
  • Evidence of smoking in the room/apartment
  • Tampered or damaged smoke detectors and fire safety equipment
  • University property, such as campus signage or lounge furniture
  • Personal/portable AC units and heaters
  • Fire hazards, including candles and overloaded electrical sockets
  • Prohibited small appliances, including toasters, microwaves, and hot plates

 Residence Hall Closure Information

The residence halls will close for Fall Break on Friday, October 11 at 5:00 p.m. and reopen for all residents on Sunday, October 20 at 12:00 p.m. Academic classes will not be held during Fall Break and the University will be completely closed on Friday, October 18. Campus services and resources are curtailed during Fall Break and on days Westminster is closed.

Required Steps for Residents Prior to Fall Break

  • All residents must confirm their intended Fall Break plans with their Resident Assistant prior to October 2, 2024.
    • If a resident has a desire to stay for break, they must follow the outlined process below (“Approval to Stay During Fall Break”).
  • All residents, before they leave for break, must empty their trash, clean out any food that will expire/spoil, secure all remaining food (to avoid unwanted pests/insects), turn off lights, and lock their windows and door.

Approval to Stay During Fall Break

Residents must be approved by Residence Life to stay in the residence halls during Fall Break. The following students may be eligible to stay in the residence halls if they complete the official steps for approval.

  • International students
  • Student-athletes (who have official practice and/or are competing during Fall Break)
  • Out-of-state students (whose home base/family live more than 500 miles away from campus)

Residents who don’t meet the criteria above and have unique circumstances, can make a request to Residence Life for a potential approval to stay. This will require the resident to meet with a professional staff member in Residence Life, who will review the student’s request on a case-by-case basis.

Residents who are approved to stay over Fall Break will receive a notification of their approval in an email. Any student who is found in the building during the duration of the Fall Break without approval is in violation of Community Standards and may face sanctions and/or fines.

The residence halls will close for Thanksgiving Break on Tuesday, November 26 at 5:00 p.m.* and reopen for all residents on Sunday, December 1 at 12:00 p.m. Academic classes will not be held during Thanksgiving Break and the university will be completely closed November 27–November 29. Campus services and resources are curtailed significantly during Thanksgiving Break and on days Westminster is closed.

Required Steps for Residents Prior to Thanksgiving Break

  • All residents must confirm their intended Thanksgiving Break plans with their Resident Assistant prior to November 13, 2024.
  • If a resident has a desire to stay for break, they must follow the outlined process below (“Approval to Stay During Thanksgiving Break”).
  • All residents, before they leave for break, must empty their trash, clean out any food that will expire/spoil, secure all remaining food (to avoid unwanted pests/insects), turn off lights, and lock their windows and door.

Approval to Stay During Thanksgiving Break

Residents must be approved by Residence Life to stay in the residence halls during Thanksgiving Break. The following students may be eligible to stay in the residence halls if they complete the official steps for approval.  

  • International students
  • Student-athletes (who have official practice and/or are competing during Thanksgiving Break)
  • Out-of-state students (whose home base/family live more than 500 miles away from campus)

Residents who don’t meet the criteria above and have unique circumstances, can make a request to Residence Life for a potential approval to stay. This will require the resident to meet with a professional staff member in Residence Life, who will review the student’s request on a case-by-case basis.

Residents who are approved to stay over Thanksgiving Break will receive a notification of their approval in an email. Any student who is found in the building during the duration of the Thanksgiving Break without approval is in violation of Community Standards and may face sanctions and/or fines.

*Residents who have a class, on-campus work, or an academic requirement on Tuesday, November 26 and need to remain on campus later than 5:00 pm can make a request to Residence Life for extended access.

The residence halls will close for Winter Break on Saturday, December 14 at 12:00 p.m. and reopen for all residents on Sunday, January 20 at 12:00 p.m. Residents will not be permitted to return to campus before January 20, 2025.

Academic classes will not be held during Winter Break and the University will be completely closed December 24, 2024–January 1, 2025. Campus services and resources are curtailed significantly during Winter Break and on days Westminster is closed.

Required Steps for Residents Prior to Winter Break

  • All residents must confirm their intended Winter Break plans with their Resident Assistant prior to November 13, 2024.
    • If a resident has a desire to stay for break, they must follow the outlined process below (“Approval to Stay During Winter Break”).
  • All residents, before they leave for break, must empty their trash, clean out any food that will expire/spoil, secure all remaining food (to avoid unwanted pests/insects), turn off lights, and lock their windows and door.

Approval to Stay During Winter Break

Residents must be approved by Residence Life to stay in the residence halls during Winter Break. The following students may be eligible to stay in the residence halls if they complete the official steps for approval:

  • International students
  • Student-athletes (who have official practice and/or are competing during Winter Break)

Residents who don’t meet the criteria above and have unique circumstances, can make a request to Residence Life for a potential approval to stay. This will require the resident to meet with a professional staff member in Residence Life, who will review the student’s request on a case-by-case basis.

Residents who are approved to stay over Winter Break will receive a notification of their approval in an email. For Winter Break, all approved residents will be required to meet with a professional staff member in Residence Life to discuss the significantly curtailed services and what to expect during the multiple days of campus closure. Any student who is found in the building during the duration of the Winter Break without approval is in violation of Community Standards and may face sanctions and/or fines.  

The residence halls will close for Spring Break on Friday, March 14 at 5:00 p.m. and reopen for all residents on Sunday, March 23 at 12:00 p.m. Academic classes will not be held during Spring Break and the University will be completely closed on Friday, March 21. Campus services and resources are curtailed during Spring Break and on days Westminster is closed.

Required Steps for Residents Prior to Spring Break

  • All residents must confirm their intended Spring Break plans with their Resident Assistant prior to March 5, 2025.  
    • If a resident has a desire to stay for break, they must follow the outlined process below (“Approval to Stay During Spring Break”).  
  • All residents, before they leave for break, must empty their trash, clean out any food that will expire/spoil, secure all remaining food (to avoid unwanted pests/insects), turn off lights, and lock their windows and door.

Approval to Stay During Spring Break

Residents must be approved by Residence Life to stay in the residence halls during Spring Break. The following students may be eligible to stay in the residence halls if they complete the official steps for approval.

  • International students
  • Student-athletes (who have official practice and/or are competing during Spring Break)
  • Out-of-state students (whose home base/family live more than 500 miles away from campus)

Residents who don’t meet the criteria above and have unique circumstances, can make a request to Residence Life for a potential approval to stay. This will require the resident to meet with a professional staff member in Residence Life, who will review the student’s request on a case-by-case basis.

Residents who are approved to stay over Spring Break will receive a notification of their approval in an email. Any student who is found in the building during the duration of the Spring Break without approval is in violation of Community Standards and may face sanctions and/or fines.