As many of you prepare to depart campus for the fall semester, we wanted to share detailed information on the various policies and procedures for departing for Winter Break.
Closing Dates and Procedures
The residence halls and university-operated Greek houses close on Thursday, December 17 at 3 PM. Students will also receive a checklist provided to them by their RA or RCD that informs them of what they need to do before they depart campus for the fall semester. This will include making sure that:
- All trash has been removed
- All valuables have been taken home.
- Nothing is blocking the heating units.
- All Alarms on have been turned off (clocks, etc.)
- Your bicycle is stored in your room or bike rooms, secured with a u-lock.
- All holiday decorations have been removed and properly stored or discarded.
- All refrigerators have been cleaned out, with perishable food discarded in the trash and removed from the room.
- Refrigerators do not need to be unplugged for the break. Students with kitchens and full-size refrigerators should not unplug the provided refrigerator. Students choosing to unplug their mini fridges should remove all items, leave a towel on the floor against the unit, and leave all doors open to prevent mold and leaks.
- All personal items and electronics are unplugged.
- University-owned appliances, such as microwaves and refrigerators, do not need to be unplugged.
- All windows are closed and securely locked, and blinds are closed.
- All room lights have been turned off.
- Please remember to take fish and other pets with you. Approved animals may not be left in the care of another on-campus resident.
- On departure, your room and suite/apartment door is locked.
- Students in double rooms who do not have roommates must be prepared for a new roommate (i.e. one side of the room should be cleaned and ready for occupancy). A new assignment may be made to the vacant space at any time.
After the halls close, at least two members of the Residential Living & Learning staff will make a routine inspection of student rooms and apartments. Please leave your room in an orderly condition to facilitate an effective and efficient room check. The staff will not disturb any of your personal belongings. In addition, rooms may be entered over break by university officials for inspections or to perform maintenance tasks.
Dining Operations
The last meal in Residential Dining for the Fall 2026 semester will be on Wednesday, December 16 at 2:30 P.M.
Bicycles
If you are planning to return to campus housing in the spring, you can simply leave your bike in bike storage.
If you are not returning to campus housing in the spring, please take your bike with you. Abandoned bikes will be discarded.
Parking During Move Out
The following parking lots will available for winter break move-out from Saturday, December 12 through Thursday, December 17, 2026:
- Lot 44 - Across from Fribley Commons
- Lot 57- Behind Carlton Road residence halls and Greek houses
- Lot 46 - Parking garage by The Village at 115
- Lot 89 - Surface lot in front of Lot 46 by the Village
- Lot 56 - Stephanie Tubbs Jones
Mail Service
Students who are not returning to campus for Spring 2027 should update their forwarding address and change their mailing address to their new address. Mail received at the residential area offices for non-residents and former residents will be forwarded when possible or will be returned to sender. Students not planning to return for Spring 2027 should plan to stop sending mail at the area offices for anything with a delivery date two days before their anticipated moveout date.
Mail will not be forwarded during the semester recess for students who are returning in Spring 2027. Mail and packages will be delivered to the area office when the area office is open during Winter Break. Amazon and Parcel Pending lockers will accessible during Winter Break.
Area Office Hours
The central housing office is open 8:30 A.M - 5:00 P.M weekdays when the university is open during Winter Break. The university is closed for Winter Recess the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. The area offices are on a limited schedule during Winter Break. Hours will be posted once finalized.
Security
The potential for thefts and other security problems increase as the end of the semester approaches. Remember that it is important to keep your room/apartment locked at all times and to be increasingly security conscious. If you noticed any unusual or suspicious activity in or around the residence halls over break, please contact CWRU Police at 216.368.3333 (emergency number) or 216.368.3300 (non-emergency number).
Winter Break Housing
Fall semester residents returning for Spring 2027 who need housing during winter break will need to sign up on MyHousing, under My Assignments.
Students Not Returning for the Spring 2027 Semester
Students who are not returning to CWRU Housing for the Spring 2027 semester should follow the procedures on the page below.