Barnard College Barnard College
Residence Hall Resources

Winter Break

Barnard College residence halls will close for Winter Break at 12noon on Wednesday, December 23, 2026 through 9am on Saturday, January 16, 2027.

Students needing extensions or access to campus housing during the Winter Break period must submit the Winter Break Housing, Fall Extension, and/or Spring Early Return forms (see below).

Only students continuing in the same room assignment from the Fall 2026 semester to the Spring 2027 semester (i.e. those who did not receive a mid-year room change) may leave belongings in their room over the break.

After the end of the Fall 2026 semester, College staff may enter student rooms to address necessary maintenance issues & concerns as needed. Any prohibited items will be confiscated. Missing window stoppers or fire safety equipment that has been tampered with will result in fines & disciplinary action.

Before You Leave for Winter Break

  • Empty all trash cans. Take bagged trash and recycling to the designated area in your building.
  • Make sure all faucets, ovens, stoves, and appliances are turned off.
  • Clean fridges of food that may spoil over break. Throw out any open food that may attract mice or bugs. Wash any dirty dishes, pots, etc.
  • Unplug, defrost, and leave the door open to mini fridges only.
    • Please leave suite kitchen refrigerators plugged in and closed.
  • Unplug all appliances (alarm clocks, lamps, TVs, computers, etc.) to save electricity. These items can use a lot of energy if left plugged in (even when turned off!).
    • 110th St. & 121st St. residents should leave their Verizon FIOS WiFi router equipment plugged in. 108th St. residents should leave their Spectrum modem plugged in.
  • Take any valuables or necessities with you (computer, jewelry, passport, medications, etc.). The residence halls will be closed & locked over break so you won't be able to retrieve anything you leave behind.
  • Turn off lights and lock all door & windows (and lower blinds to conserve heat).

Students not returning to housing or completing Mid-Year Room Changes

Students not returning to their Fall 2026 room assignment for the Spring 2027 semester must completely vacate their rooms and check out no later than 12noon on Wednesday, December 23, 2026*. This applies to students who are graduating mid-year, Studying Abroad, taking a leave of absence, moving off-campus, or completing a Mid-Year Room Change. 

In order to avoid improper check-out and key replacement fees, students must complete a check-out envelope (available from their residence hall Front Desk) to turn in their room keys and complete the "Confirm Check Out" form on the Housing Portal (Check-Out Info).

* students needing extensions due to in-person exams scheduled for December 23 will be able to sign up for extensions at no charge through 10am, Thursday, December 24.

Break Housing

Only students who sign up for Break Housing will have access to the residence halls (ID access will be paused for other students). Students who need to stay in campus housing for any portion of the break must sign up by the deadlines below:

Winter Break Housing

Fall Extension (through December 25, 2026)

Spring Early Return (starting January 10, 2027)