24 days – that is how long until the traditional dorms on campus close for the holidays. Traditional dorms are all the dorms on campus except Converse and Centennial. This includes Brown, Georgia, Hopper, Langdale, Lowndes, Patterson and Reade Halls. These dorms officially close for Thanksgiving break on Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. and re-open Nov. 29 at 10 a.m. They also close for Christmas break on Dec. 12 at 12 p.m. and re-open Jan. 7 at 10 a.m.
“The only exception would be Lowndes Hall if Athletics determined it was needed for the football players and cheerleaders for a weekend game for playoffs,” Leighia Hammond, Associate Director of Housing, said.
All scholarship football players and cheerleaders live in Lowndes Hall for this reason.
Students who live on campus sign nine or 12-month contracts, based on which residence hall they live in during the school year. Non-traditional residence halls operate on the 12- month contracts and do not close during school breaks or summer because these residence halls are apartment facilities.
“I don’t mind not being able to stay in my dorm during Christmas break because I enjoy going home for the holidays,” Margaret Smith, freshman business major, said. “That’s why I didn’t want an on-campus apartment.”
If students are unable to leave during the break, they are encouraged to find off- campus housing for the breaks. “Students residing in the traditional residence halls are not allowed to stay during the winter break,” said Hammond.
None of this is new information to on-campus students because these restrictions are included in the contract students sign before moving into the dorms. The information is also included in newsletters throughout the year.
“I chose the apartments on campus because I didn’t want to have to go home every break, but I feel safer living on campus than I would if I lived in a regular off-campus apartment complex,” Daniel Trenton, freshman education major, said.
If you are interested in on-campus housing, please contact the Housing Office at 229-333-5920.