Winter Break: Residences Close on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 12:00 PM (noon)
Residence halls close for Winter Break Saturday, December 17, 2022 to Saturday, January 14, 2023. Students are responsible for leaving campus within 24 hours of their last final exam, or by 12:00 PM (noon) on Saturday, December 17, 2022 - whichever date is earlier. Please make arrangements to be out of your residence according to your final exam schedule. Take everything that you may need with you (e.g., medicine, credit cards, snowboard, holiday gifts, passport, etc.), as there is no access to residence halls during Winter Break. Also, please make arrangements for plants and fish to be cared for. If you have questions regarding your responsibilities ahead of Winter Break, please contact your Resident Advisor or Area Coordinator.
Going home for break and returning to the same room in the spring? Here is your to-do list.
If you are returning to the same room in the spring, you may leave your belongings there. If you brought a bike to campus, make sure it is secured inside of your residence and secured during the break. The university assumes no liability for personal property at any time.
- Remove all personal items from community bathrooms, lounges, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Anything left behind will be thrown away between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM on Saturday, December 17, 2022. Labeled items in the refrigerator and freezer may stay, as long as they will not expire during winter break.
- Tidy up the space (i.e. sweep, vacuum, remove any dirty dishes from sink [if applicable]).
- Unplug all electronic devices (including personal refrigerators & excluding fish tanks). Do NOT turn off circuit breakers or unplug stoves/ovens, or refrigerators in apartment kitchens.
- Ensure the refrigerator is empty of perishables.
- Remove or securely store all food in the room (beware of pests).
- Set heater to a medium setting.
- Remove all window decorations, including tape.
- Close and lock all windows.
- Raise blinds on 2nd floor and above; leave blinds closed on first and garden-level floors.
- Take home any valuables and anything you will need for the break period.
- Take out all trash and recycling.
- Turn off all lights.
- Lock the door upon leaving.
- Take all trash and recycling to the dumpsters or recycling areas.
Moving Out after fall semester? Here is your to-do list.
Anyone who is moving out after the fall semester (e.g., studying abroad in the spring, graduating in the fall, etc.) should use the list below for move-out instructions.
- Complete a Contract Cancellation Request on the WU Housing Portal.
- Remove belongings from the unit and clean up accordingly.
- Close and lock all windows.
- Raise blinds on 2nd floor and above; leave blinds closed on first and garden-level floors.
- Turn off all lights.
- Lock the door upon leaving.
- Take all trash and recycling to the dumpsters or recycling areas.
- Complete an Express Checkout Form at the Area Coordinator’s office and leave it in the Express Checkout Drop Box (insert the room/apartment key if applicable).
- Unless the contract cancellation request is approved, residents are still financially responsible for Spring 2023 housing charges.
- If you are leaving the university, return your mail box key to the Mail Center and provide a forwarding address.
- Dining
- How to check out if you are leaving after fall semester
- Safety and security
- Decorations
- Extra trash
- Parking
- Room entry during Winter Break
- Administrative office hours during Winter Break
- How to check in for the spring semester
1. Dining
As the end of the fall semester come to a close, Goudy commons will be open for regular service hours until Saturday, December 17. On Saturday, December 17, Goudy will be open at 7:00 a.m. for students to purchase continental breakfast with their dining plan points before going to their finals at 8:00 AM.
- The last meal served at Goudy for the fall semester will be brunch on Saturday, December 17, 2022.
- The first meal served at Goudy for the spring semester will be dinner on Monday, January 16, 2023.
- Don't forget, dining plan points roll over to the spring semester!
2. How to check out if you are leaving after fall semester
Anyone who is moving out after the fall semester (e.g., studying abroad in the spring, graduating in the fall, etc.) should use the list below for move-out instructions.
- Complete a Contract Cancellation Request on the WU Housing Portal.
- Remove belongings from the unit and clean up accordingly.
- Close and lock all windows.
- Raise blinds on 2nd floor and above; leave blinds closed on first and garden-level floors.
- Turn off all lights.
- Lock the door upon leaving.
- Take all trash and recycling to the dumpsters or recycling areas.
- Complete an Express Checkout Form at the Area Coordinator’s office and leave it in the Express Checkout Drop Box (insert the room/apartment key if applicable).
- Unless the contract cancellation request is approved, residents are still financially responsible for Spring 2023 housing charges.
- If you are leaving the university, return your mail box key to the Mail Center and provide a forwarding address.
All vacated rooms will be examined, and your Room Condition Report will be updated. Charges can also be assessed for noted damages, cleaning needs, and unreturned keys. Failure to complete a checkout as instructed may result in a $50 improper checkout fee.
3. Safety and security
In an effort to care for one another and our shared community, please do not prop open doors to rooms and/or buildings while moving belongings. Please close and lock your windows and doors prior to departing for Winter Break.
4. Decorations
Live decorations such as trees, holly, and wreaths are not allowed in student rooms/apartments. Candles are prohibited. Electrical cords and light cords cannot be stapled up, run under doors, across hallways, or anywhere they can be pinched, broken, and shorted out. Only use approved power strips. We recommend small fire-safe artificial trees, ornaments, and door decorations. Please remove all decorations from your room/residence apartment before you leave for Winter Break. Housekeepers are not responsible for removing decorations from common areas. Those that are not taken down and properly disposed of will be removed and the student or residence responsible may be charged for the service.
5. Extra trash
It is your responsibility to take your trash and recyclables to the dumpsters and recycling bins. If you are unsure of how to dispose of something, please contact your Area Coordinator.
6. Parking
The parking regulations will be modified during finals week to allow for loading items into vehicles as students leave for Winter Break. Parking in otherwise restricted areas will be allowed for a maximum of 15 minutes for the purpose of loading your vehicle. Under no circumstances is driving or parking on the grass or other landscaped areas permitted. If you have questions call Campus Safety at 503-370-6911.
7. Room entry during Winter Break
University staff members will be entering student rooms/apartments during the break to complete any necessary maintenance and/or cleaning, in addition to a pre-closing inspection (e.g., no perishable items left, blinds open/closed as needed, etc.). If any policy violations are found, they will be documented for follow-up in the student conduct process.
8. Administrative office hours during Winter Break
Administrative offices are closed from Monday, December 19, 2022, through Friday, December 30, 2022. Offices will reopen at 8:00 AM on Monday, January 2, 2023.
9. How to check in for the spring semester
In Salem: If you have a new housing assignment for spring semester, come to Residence Life and Housing office, located in Matthews Academic Commons, to pick up your key. Watch your Willamette University email for more detailed instructions. Students returning to the same room/apartment may go directly to their hall.
At ArtHouse in Portland: Please visit ArtHouse to check in for your new room.