Thanksgiving Break - Halls Remain Open
All residence halls, residential colleges, and special interest communities remain open during Thanksgiving Break. Watch for posted information about service changes at undergraduate area desks, graduate housing front desks, at the mail and package centers, and .
Winter Break Closing
With the exception of students contracted for continuous housing in 710 Emerson, 1856 Orrington, and 1871 Orrington, all undergraduate residential facilities close for Winter Break at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Saturday, December 14, 2024. All students must leave the buildings by this time and complete all closing checklist items and complete the online () before departing. All buildings reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Watch for posted information about service changes at undergraduate area desks, graduate housing front desks, at the mail and package centers, and .
Closing Checklist Items for Students Returning in January
It is important to complete the closing checklist to ensure the health and safety of your room and the community. It is especially important to ensure that your window is closed and latched, the heat turned on low (not off), and your door is locked. Each student must submit a to indicate when they have left for Winter Break.
All residents should contribute to completing the tasks below. The last person leaving is responsible for making sure that all remaining items on the checklist are completed:
- Empty perishable items from your fridge (personal fridges in rooms, not provided suite fridges)
- Take out all garbage and perishable items, including food
- Remove all personal belongings in common areas
- Close/latch windows and close window coverings to prevent heating pipes from bursting
- Unplug everything and turn off all lights
- Set thermostat to low or 68 degrees F (20 degrees C) (do not turn on your air conditioner)
- Take all important and valuable items with you (wallet, medication, passport, tickets, etc.)
- Complete maintenance requests for any facility concerns
- Lock your door and complete the online
Additionally, all community area fridges, such as lounges, pantries and kitchens, will be emptied and cleaned over the break period. All food and containers will be disposed of. Residential Services is not responsible for any items left in common areas and will not reimburse students for lost items.
Not Returning to Campus in January?
If you will not be living on campus next quarter, please complete a cancellation request form. Before you move out by noon on Saturday, December 14, 2024, bring any temp cards to your area desk, then complete the online.
The following items must be completed prior to your departure:
- Complete a cancellation form online (through the NU Housing Portal)
- Pack/move your belongings
- Clean your room/suite/apartment
- Dispose of waste/recycling in proper receptacles
- Ensure all furniture allocated to the room is present
- Close/latch windows and close window coverings
- Set thermostat to low or 68 degrees F (20 degrees C) (do not turn on your air conditioner)
- Turn out lights and lock the door
- If applicable, return any hard keys or temp cards to the area desk
- Pick up any remaining mail/packages
- Submit the
- Verify/update your mailing address with the University after check-out
Prohibited Items
Residential Services staff, as well as City of Evanston staff, will complete safety inspections in each room over the break period. If you have prohibited items, please bring them home with you when you leave for break. Prohibited items that are found will be removed by University staff and documented through the community standards process. If a prohibited item is removed from your room or suite lounge, a notice will be provided by your Resident Director.
Please note the following:
The Evanston housing code (City of Evanston (Ordinance 5-1-3)) prohibits the use or storage in sleeping rooms of any appliances for cooking, preparing, or heating of food or beverages, including, but not limited to:
- Microwaves
- Hot plates
- Coffee makers (except for machines with self-contained heating elements and auto shut-off feature)
- Blenders
- Toaster ovens and toasters
- Rice cookers
- Self-heating hot pots
*Units with kitchens may have cooking appliances in kitchen areas.
The following items are also prohibited or restricted:
- Refrigerators (other than those provided by the University) with interiors larger than 3.1 cubic feet
- Room decorations that cover more than 50% of the wall or window space, including peel-and-stick wallpaper, combustible decorations on or near heat sources such as radiators or light bulbs, live holiday trees, and dart boards
- Items hung on the exterior or draped from a window or doorway, from the ceiling, or from exposed pipes
- Candles, candle warmers, incense, and open flames
- Possession or use of firearms or other weapons
- Fireworks, explosives, and incendiary materials
- Bicycles and motorized vehicles
- Installation of air conditioners or possession of space heaters
Please visit the NU Student Handbook (PDF) for a complete list of prohibited items and for more information on policies.
Mail and Package Delivery
The last day of mail delivery for the quarter will be Friday, December 13, 2024. Mail and packages will continue to be accepted at Foster-Walker and Kemper over the break period, but mail will not be distributed across campus.
Mail and packages will be available for pick up during hours that will be added to this page. Mail delivery and normal package pickup hours will resume on Monday, January 6, 2025.
Mailboxes will not be accessible during the break. Undergraduate students living in Graduate Housing for the break should inquire about paper mail at their assigned Undergraduate Mail & Package Center.24 Hour Quiet Hours Begin
24 hour quiet hours begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday December 6, 2024, and end at 5:00 p.m. on Friday December 13, 2024.
Have a Maintenance Request?
Complete a before you leave.
Winter Break Housing
Students who contracted for continuous housing in 710 Emerson, 1856 Orrington, or 1871 Orrington may remain in their rooms over break. All other undergraduate students living in residence halls, residential colleges, and special interest communities must leave the building during the break period. Please direct any questions about Winter Break Housing to housing@northwestern.edu.
Questions?
See your Resident Assistant (RA), Assistant Resident Director (ARD), or Resident Director (RD).