Winter Break Closing Notice

TO:  All Resident Students at 150 Tremont Street & Miller Hall

FROM:  Maureen O. Wark, Director of Residence Life and Summer Programs

RE:  24-hour Quiet Hours and Winter Break Closing

DATE:  December 4, 2007

Believe it or not, the semester is about to come to a close!
 
In honor of the upcoming exam period (and high stress period!), all residence areas will observe 24-hour quiet hours beginning at 10pm on Thursday, December 6th and ending at 9am on Saturday, December 15th.  This policy is in effect because students generally spend more time studying, preparing final projects, etc. during the last days of the semester.  During this period, regular quiet hours (any noise heard outside of a room or noise which is objectionable to any community member) policies are in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  A violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action.

This serves as notification that the university housing areas will close on Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 10am for the winter break.  You need to leave housing 24 hours after your last exam or by the 10am closing time on December 15th, whichever comes first.  The housing areas will reopen on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 10am.  These dates are listed in your housing contract and were distributed in your assignment packet. 

When you leave for the break, you need to do the following in your room:  
1. At 150 Tremont, lower your heat to 68 degrees - DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR HEAT. 
    At Miller Hall– you DO NOT need to do anything to your heat.
2. Empty ALL trash receptacles.  Dispose of perishable food items where necessary.
3. Unplug ALL electrical items, INCLUDING refrigerators and answering machines. *
4. Be sure to secure all valuables.  We encourage you to take them home.
5. Close and lock your windows and close your blinds.
6. Shut off your lights.
7. Lock your room door when you leave. 
*REFRIGERATOR:    We would advise that you do the following to clean your fridge: 
• EMPTY all of the contents the NIGHT BEFORE you are leaving. 
• Place a towel on the floor of the fridge.
• Unplug the fridge and leave the door open/ajar.  This too should be done the night before you plan to leave.
• In the AM, remove the towel – put it somewhere to dry.  You should leave the fridge door ajar.
• All of these steps will prevent mold build-up, leakage and a nasty smell.

Please note that we do not have any police detail for traffic control during the week that we close for the winter break.  It is important that you are ready to hop into the car when your ride arrives.  There is no daytime parking near the residence halls, so you will want to meet your ride in order to avoid a parking ticket!  Any tickets incurred are the responsibility of the driver.
  
BE ADVISED THAT HEALTH AND SAFETY ROOM INSPECTIONS WILL TAKE PLACE during the break period.  ANY POLICY VIOLATION that is in plain view will be documented.  Also, some maintenance work will be happening over the break, where necessary.   PLEASE MOVE ANYTHING THAT IS BLOCKING YOUR HEATING UNIT as the filters will need to be changed. 

NEED TO CHANGE YOUR MEAL PLAN FOR SPRING SEMESTER?  Please pick up a form and return to the RLSP Office by February 1, 2008.  If you are staying on your current plan, you do not need to do anything!

If you are involved in a room change, your RA will contact you about scheduling a moving time that is convenient for all involved.  ALL ROOM CHANGES MUST BE COMPLETED BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14th, OR BY THE DAY YOU LEAVE FOR THE BREAK, whichever comes first.  You must sign out of your “old” room.  You will sign into your new room when you arrive in January.  You will pick up the key to your new room upon your return in January.   Notification of room changes will be made by December 6, 2007.

If you HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO leave the residence hall permanently, you must:
1. Schedule a checkout appointment with your RA and complete all paperwork.
2. Remove all of your belongings.
3. Turn in your key before you leave. 

IF YOU ARE MOVING TO 10 WEST, you will get a confirmation with your room assignment and moving instructions by December 6, 2007.
       
If a space is being created in your room (by a departing roommate) a few things will happen.  First, the cleaning staff will prepare that space for a new incoming student.  You should be sure that there is an empty dresser, desk and closet and that those items, and the bed, are cleared off.  If you have a space in your room, you should expect to return to find your room at full capacity.  If possible, we will send you your roommate’s information.  Please understand, however, that the turn around time over the winter break is very short and notification may not be possible.  Your new roommate, however, will receive an assignment packet, including your name, address, phone number, etc. and he/she will be encouraged to contact you.

We know that everyone will be anxious to leave for the break, but in the event that you have extenuating circumstances (team athletes, international students, etc.) which:  
    •     prevent you from leaving by 10am on Saturday, December 15th OR
    •     prevent you from leaving for break OR
    •     require that you return earlier than 10am on Sunday, January 13th
you must complete a “request to stay” form to stay beyond the closing time, over the break or to return prior to the opening time.  Please complete and return the WINTER BREAK HOUSING REQUEST FORM that is available from your RA or at the Residence Life and Summer Programs Office in your building.  ALL REQUESTS ARE DUE BY 12 NOON on MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2007.

**LATE REQUESTS MAY NOT BE HONORED.**

As you consider staying in the residence areas over the winter break, please keep a few things in mind: 
  
1. In addition to all regular residence life/university policies, there will be NO guest privileges for anyone during this low occupancy period.
2. There will be regularly scheduled SUPD coverage.
3. Food Service will not be available.
4. There will be a $30 per night charge to stay in the residence areas over the winter break.  Vacation periods are not covered in your housing contract.  Full payment is due to the Residence Life and Summer Programs Office by December 14, 2007.
 5. There will be very limited staff available for assistance such as lockouts, etc.
6. All University offices will be closed from 4:45pm on December 21, 2007 until 8:45am on January 2, 2008.

DO NOT MISS THE DEADLINE TO REQUEST BREAK HOUSING/EXTENSION/EARLY RETURN:
12 NOON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2007.