Pantzer Residence Hall main entrance and surrounding trees

Housing

Closing for Winter Break

  • The Residence Halls close for Fall Semester at 12:00 PM (Noon) on Saturday, December 13.  All residents must leave for the break and be out of their room by Noon on December 13 unless they have signed up in their to stay.

  • Fall residents requesting to stay past December 13 or for the entire break must submit their application by 5:00 p.m. on December 5, 2025 to avoid a $40 late arrangement fee and potential lockout after the halls close.

  • Students who fail to properly register for Winter Break or remain on-site past closing without prior approval will be assessed a $100 penalty fee in addition to the nightly housing rate.

Before you leave for Winter Break

Please complete the following tasks before departing:

  • Clean out your refrigerator, removing any items that may spoil. DO NOT unplug the fridge - leave it plugged in.
  • Empty all garbage and recycling bins.
  • Close and lock your windows, and draw your curtains.

UM Housing assumes all residents will return for Spring Semester unless they notified otherwise. If you plan to move out, you must submit a Residence Halls Contract Release form by 5:00 pm on Friday, December 2. See the Moving Off Campus for Spring Semester section below for more details. 

Staying On Campus for Spring Semester

Residents returning for Spring Semester may leave their belongings in their assigned room over Winter Break.

Note: Rooms will be inaccessible during the break; so be sure to take everything you'll need before leaving. it is important to make sure all items needed for the break are taken when leaving at the end of Fall Semester. 

  • If you need access to the room after Noon on December 13, a $10.00 fee will apply. A UM Housing staff will escort you to retrieve your items.
  • If you need to stay past Noon on Saturday, December 13, you must sign up in your myHousingPortal by Friday, December 5.

Winter Break Housing Charges will be assessed if it is determined that a resident accessed the Residence Halls during the break period (December 13, 2025 – January 12, 2026) without submitting a request.

Spring Semester Move-In

Residence Halls reopen at 9:00 am on Monday, January 12, 2026. 

If you need to arrive before January 12, you must request early arrival by signing up via your myHousingPortal.

  • All requests must be submitted at least 4 business days in advance.
  • Early arrival charges are based on the number of nights stayed between Noon on December 13 and 9:00 AM on January 12.
  • If you stay late at the end of Fall Semester and arrive early for Spring, charges will reflect the total consecutive number of nights stayed per request.

For rates and details visit the Winter Break webpage.  

Roommate Not Returning for Spring Semester

If your roommate is not returning and completes an official checkout, you may be eligible to keep the room as a double-as-a-single depending on occupancy. This is not guaranteed.

  • Residents in double rooms (who haven't already bought the room as a double-as-a-single) will receive an email on November 20, the morning of their floor meetings. This email will include a link to request one of the following:

    • Keep the room as a double-as-a-single (if avilable)

    • Be assigned a new roommate.

  • All residents should apply to this email even if their roommate plans on returning so we know their preference if the roommate changes their plan.
  • Deadline to submit your response: December 12.

If no response is submitted, you will be deafulted into being assigned a new roommate.

Room Preparation Requirements

If you request a new roommate or submit no response:

  • Your room must be in "Ready Room" condition before you leave for Winter Break.
  • All personal items must be on your side of the room only.

UM Housing staff will enter rooms during the break to clean and inspect for damages. If both sides of the room are occupied, you may be charged the double-as-a-single rate for Spring Semester.

If charged and you wish to revert to a double room:

  • Remove your items from the other side upon return.
  • Request a room inspection at the UM Housing Office.
  • Upon approval, your charges will be prorated accordingly.

For the full definition of "Ready Room" condition, visit the Option Letters webpage under the Option 2 | New Roommate for Spring section. 

Moving Off Campus for Spring Semester

Residents planning to move off campus at the end of Fall Semester must be approved by UM Housing. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Students transferring, not retuning, or studying abroad
  • International students returning home
  • Students living off campus but still attending UM

Steps to Move Off Campus

1.  Submit a Residence Halls Contract Release Request form by 5:00 pm on Friday, December 2.

  • Requests received after December 2 may be assessed a $40.00 late vacate notice fee. 

2.  All release requests are reviewed by the Director of UM Housing. Approval is not gauranteed and depends on individual circumstances.
3.  If approved:

  • Complete a checkout authorization by December 5
  • Complete a proper checkout by Noon on Saturday, December 13.

Failure to checkout by the deadline will result in the release being rescinded, and you will be responsible for Spring Semester housing charges.

Refer to the checkout guide for more instructions on completing a proper checkout.

Winter Break Housing

Housing is available during Winter Break (Noon on December 13 to 9:00 AM on January 12) for an additional charge.

  • Residents wishing to stay past Noon on December 13 must submit their request by Friday, December 5.
  • Residents leaving for the break and planning to return prior to January 12, should submit a request via myHousingPortal at least 4 business days in advance of their expected arrival date.

For full details, visit the Winter Break Housing webpage.