WashU Residential Life provides students the option to stay in their residence halls and apartments during academic breaks, at no additional cost. Students must register for Academic Break Housing through the WashU Housing Portal and meet certain criteria.
Thanksgiving Break
Thanksgiving Break is from November 28-December 1. Registration for Thanksgiving Break housing opened November 1.
If students plan to be in the residence halls or on-campus Thursday, Friday, or Saturday of Thanksgiving Break, they are required to register for Thanksgiving Break Housing through the WashU Housing Portal to submit a Break Housing Request.
The Office of Residential Life will be closed Thursday-Sunday of Thanksgiving Break. However, resident advisors will still be on-duty with Residential Life professional staff available during their normally schedule times.
Thanksgiving Break housing is provided at no additional charge. For information about dining over the Thanksgiving Break, visit the Dining Services website.
Winter Break
Winter Break is from December 19-January 9. Registration for Winter Break housing opens December 2.
WashU Residential Life provides students who are currently living in a Residential Life-managed space the option to stay in their residence halls and apartments during the Winter Break, at no additional cost. There are particular eligibility criteria for Winter Break Housing.
Eligibility
To be eligible, students must be currently living in a WashU Residential Life-managed space with a Spring 2025 housing assignment. If the student is not currently living in a WashU Residential Life managed space for the Fall 2024 semester and/or will not be living in a WashU Residential Life-managed space for the Spring 2025 semester, then the student is not eligible for Winter Break housing and will need to move out by Thursday, December 19 at 12 p.m. (noon).
If the student has extenuating circumstances that prevent them from moving out by Thursday, December 19 at noon, they may request a Late Stay, and would only be permitted a Late Stay for up to three (3) days. Because this would not qualify as Winter Break housing, the student would be responsible for the Late Stay Fee of $60 per night.
Students must complete the Winter Housing Form via the WashU Housing Portal in order to maintain access to residential facilities. Once inside the form, check the box to stay for the entire break.
The Office of Residential Life will be closed on December 25 and January 1, but on-call Residential Life professional staff will still be available.
Academic Break Housing FAQs
- Complete the Winter Checklist before leaving campus.
- Take your key card with you so that you have it available to use when you return in the Spring.
- You do not need to move-out or pack up any items.
This could be because you are planning to stay for a short period or waiting on a flight. You will complete the following steps:
- You must complete the Winter Housing Form via the WashU Housing Portal in order to maintain access to residential facilities. You will select a specific departure date when you complete the form. You will lose access at 11:59 p.m. on your selected date of departure.
- Complete the Winter Checklist before leaving campus.
- Take your key card home with you so that you have it available to use when you return in the Spring.
- You do not need to move-out or pack up any items.
This means that you are not planning to return to residential life housing for the Spring Semester. This could mean you are leaving to Study Abroad, a December graduating senior, a leave of absence, or have a different situation.
- Graduating senior contracts will end when residence halls close Thursday, December 19, 11:59 a.m. Graduates must be completely moved out by that time.
Winter checklist
Residents who plan to leave for Winter Break but return for the Spring semester should adhere to the following procedures. All rooms will undergo Health and Safety Inspections during the Winter Break. Fines will be assessed for any damages.
- Keep the heat on (65 degrees or low) but DO NOT TURN OFF.
- Close all of your windows. Make sure they lock and latch. If they don’t lock and latch, submit a Maintenance Request.
- Close your blinds.
- Unplug everything (defrost the refrigerator then leave unplugged). Fish tanks may remain plugged in.
- Remove all perishable items and throw items away. (This includes perishables in the fridge).
- Unplug your alarm clock.
- Take out the trash and recycling.
- Move furniture away from the heater or vents.
- Remove bikes from your room. (We recommend you register your bike if you haven’t already, purchase a lock from WashU Police, and lock your bike to a bike rack station on campus).
- Move all electronics up off the floor.
- Turn off all lights.
- Lock your door(s) and make sure your door closes.
Take all valuables with you for Winter Break. Residential Life is unable to ship items to students over breaks.
Additional information
Quiet hours
24-Hour Quiet Hours begin when reading week/finals begins and will remain in effect until the residence halls close for the semester. There will be a $50 fine for all violations. Please review the Academic Calendar for the dates of reading week/finals.
Health and safety inspections
Residential Life and maintenance staff will conduct routine facilities and safety checks, also known as Health and Safety Checks. Each residential college director will inspect each room in their college for damages, missing furniture, etc. during the Winter Break. Additionally, staff will be triple checking that students have completed the Winter Checklist items.
Participating in formal sorority recruitment
If students are looking to arrive early for formal sorority recruitment, Campus Life has outlined the process for individuals participating on their website. Residential Life will not allow students to return prior to this group’s approved date. Students must be participating in formal sorority recruitment for this process.