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Residential Life & Housing > Residence Hall Handbook > Procedures

Winter Break

Barnard College residence halls will close for Winter Break at 9am on Friday, December 19, 2025 through 9am on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

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

Only students continuing in the same room assignment from the Fall 2025 semester to the Spring 2026 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 2025 semester, College staff may enter student rooms to address necessary maintenance issues & concerns as needed. Any prohibited items will be confiscated. Missing windows 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.
  • 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 2025 room assignment for the Spring 2026 semester must completely vacate their rooms and check out no later than 9am on Friday, December 19, 2025. Extensions are not available. 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).

Break Housing

The residence halls will officially close for Winter Break at 9am on Friday, December 19, 2025, and will reopen at 9am on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Only students who sign up for Break Housing will be able to access the residence halls (and ID access will be shut off to the res halls for other students). Students who need to stay on campus for any portion of the break must sign up by the deadlines below:

Winter Break Housing

Fall Extension (through December 21, 2025)

Spring Early Return (starting January 11, 2026)