Residences Close on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 12:00 PM (noon)
Residence halls close at the end of the semester, Friday, December 15, 2023 and will remain closed until Saturday, January 13, 2024.
All students living in on campus housing (Portland and Salem) must complete the End of Semester Break Plans and Winter Break Housing Request form located in the WU Housing portal. The End of Semester Break Plans and Winter Break Housing Request form is due by December 4, 2023. Students can apply to stay through the break for a $500.00 fee. Students needing financial assistance can apply for Emergency Funds.
Students should make arrangements to be out of their living spaces within 24 hours of their last final exam or class and no later than 12:0000 PM (noon) on Friday, December 15, 2023, unless approved to stay through the Winter Break Housing Request process.
When leaving your campus living space, 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. If you have questions regarding your responsibilities ahead of Winter Break, please contact your Resident Advisor or Residence Life Coordinator.
Students Leaving at break and returning to the same room in the spring, Here is your to-do list:
- Complete the End of Semester Break Plans and Winter Break Housing Request form in the WU Housing Portal.
- If you brought a bike to campus, secure it inside your residence during break.
- Remove all personal items from community bathrooms, lounges, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Anything left behind will be discarded on Friday, December 15, 2023.
- Ensure the refrigerator is empty of any food expiring over break. Labeled items in the refrigerator and freezer may stay, provided they will not expire during winter break.
- Clean your space (i.e. sweep, vacuum, remove any dirty dishes from sink [if applicable])
- Unplug all electronic devices (including personal refrigerators). Be certain to unplug any space heaters. The only exception is fish tanks - they may be kept plugged in.
- If you live in an apartment, Do NOT turn off circuit breakers or unplug stoves/ovens, or refrigerators in kitchens.
- Remove or securely package and store all food in the room (beware of pests).
- Set room heater to a medium setting - be sure to unplug any space heaters.
- 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 duration of the the break period. There is no reentry to campus living spaces during the break.
- Take all trash and recycling to the dumpsters or recycling areas
- Turn off all lights
- Lock the door upon leaving
students Moving Out of your campus living space at fall semester, here is your to-do list:
Students who are moving out after the fall semester (e.g., studying abroad in the spring, graduating in the fall, not returning to WU, etc.) should use the list below for move-out instructions.
- Complete the End of Semester Break Plans and Winter Break Housing Request form in the WU Housing Portal.
- Remove all belongings from the unit and clean up the living space.
- 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.
- Return your key to the Residence Life and Housing office in the Matthews Academic Commons.
- 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 by staff during Winter Break
- Administrative office hours during Winter Break
- How to check in for Spring Semester
1. Dining
For students on the Salem campus, Goudy Commons will be open for regular service hours until Friday, December 15, 2023. On Friday, December 15, 2023, Goudy will be open at 7:00 AM 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 breakfast on Friday, December 15, 2023.
- The first meal served at Goudy for new students, winter athletes, and international students will be dinner on Thursday, January 11, 2024.
- Students returning on January 13, 2024, can resume their meal plans upon arrival onto campus.
- Don't forget, flex dollars 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, not returning to WU etc.) should use the list below for move-out instructions.
- Complete the End of Semester Break and Winter Break Housing Request form in the WU Housing Portal
- Remove belongings from the unit and clean up the living space
- 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
- Return your key to the Residence Life and Housing office
- 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 a Room Condition Report will be updated. Charges may 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 Residence Life 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 by staff during Winter Break
University staff members will be entering student living spaces 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 and referred to the student conduct process.
8. Administrative office hours during Winter Break
Administrative offices are closed from Monday, December 18, 2023, through Monday, January 1, 2024. Offices will reopen at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
9. How to check in for 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.