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Winter Break & J-Term Housing (Undergraduate)

You may be thinking ahead to final exams and going home to see family and friends. Below is some information to help you prepare for the end of the Fall 2023 semester, and beyond.

Or, if you're a student who lived off-Grounds in Fall 2023 and you wish to live on-Grounds in Spring 2024, you can apply for spring-only housing beginning on November 1 at our housing application page.

 

Not Returning for Spring 2024?

Undergraduate residents who are graduating, going abroad, transferring, or will otherwise not be enrolled at the University for Spring 2024 should complete this one-question survey by Friday, November 11 to let us know. Students not returning must vacate their rooms by noon on Saturday, December 16, 2023.

 


Winter Break & Spring Housing Dates (2023-2024)

Friday, December 15
Fall 2023 exams end

Saturday, December 16 at noon
First-year residence halls close

  • upperclass housing areas remain open
  • upperclass students not returning for Spring 2024 must move out

Tuesday, January 2
First-year residents who need to be on Grounds for J-Term may return

Tuesday, January 2 - Friday, January 12
J-Term

Sunday, January 14
First-year residence halls open for Spring 2024

Wednesday, January 17
Spring 2024 classes begin

 


Safety Reminders

Housing in University of Virginia residences during holiday breaks is offered under the same terms and conditions as stated on your academic year Housing Agreement.

If you choose to remain in on-Grounds housing during Winter Break and/or J-Term, there may be very few residents staying on-Grounds during these times. You should be prepared for reduced services and ready to accept increased responsibility for your personal safety, which you must take care to safeguard at all times. Please take the following precautions:

  • The Dean on Call system will be operational for students. If you have any concerns and want to discuss them with a dean in Student Affairs, please call 434.924.7133, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. After 5:00 p.m. and on weekends, contact UVA Police at 434.924.7166 and ask them to refer the issue to the Dean on Call.
  • Call 911 if you need help.
    • If you notice anything suspicious or unusual, or at any time think that your personal safety is at risk, please contact the University Police at 911 immediately.
    • Consider keeping a cell phone with you at all times, in case you need to call 911.
  • Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
    • Check to make sure that you are aware of who is in the common areas and hallways of the building before venturing into them.
    • Check the bathroom area before entering.
  • Walking
    • Plan ahead to ensure that you stay in well-lit areas at dusk, dawn, or when it is dark.
    • Do not walk alone after dark; walk with a friend.
  • Doors and Windows
    • Keep your room/suite/apartment door locked at all times. This includes when you are in the room and when you leave for any reason.
    • Do not prop open any doors.
    • Do not let anyone into the building. Anyone authorized to stay must use his or her own access card to gain entrance to the building.
    • Do not unblock or leave any windows open.

Facilities

  • Report all doors, locks, windows, or lights in need of repair to the Facilities Service Desk.
  • Fire alarm system testing, as well as repair, renovation, and maintenance projects, will be conducted in all facilities during the break period. All doors will be locked on exit, so please make sure to keep your ID card and keys with you at all times.

Please see the UVA Operating Status Board for information about any building closures and available services on Grounds.

Dining

  • Meal plans will not be available for Winter Break and J-Term.
  • UVA Dine will have a limited dining schedule during Winter Break and J-Term. For more information and location schedules, please see their online hours of operation.

Mail

Mailroom hours will be limited during Winter Break and J-Term.

  • Be sure to pick up any mail and packages that you will need before the mailrooms close on Friday, December 15.
  • From December 18-22 and during J-Term (January 2-14), mailroom hours will be limited:
    • Page: 12:30-1 p.m.
    • Runk: 1:15-1:45 p.m.
    • Lambeth: 2-2:30 p.m.
    • Bond: 3-3:30 p.m.
    • Shannon: 4:30-5 p.m.
  • Packages will not be delivered to the University on the days that the University is closed, December 23-January 1, and January 15 (MLK Day).
  • During J-Term (January 2-14, 2024), residents will be notified by email when a package has arrived.
  • All mailrooms will reopen for regular hours on Monday, January 15.

Bus Service and Transportation

  • On-Grounds bus service will operate on significantly reduced schedules.
    See Parking & Transportation's Service Schedules page for more information.

Before Leaving for Winter Break...

  • Remove all holiday decorations.
  • Make sure all water faucets are turned off to prevent water damage.
  • Turn room lights off. Draw the shades/blinds and lock all windows and doors.
  • Empty trash and recyclables.
  • Unplug all electrical equipment EXCEPT full-size refrigerators.
  • Empty and clean your refrigerator. Personal refrigerators should be unplugged with the refrigerator door left open to prevent mildew. Full-size refrigerators in apartments can be kept plugged in.
  • Take home any passports, travel tickets, medications, and any valuables.
  • Bring your bicycle inside. It is more secure if you put it in your room.
  • Store motorcycles, mopeds, electric bikes, and electric scooters outside. As a potential fire hazard, they -- or their batteries, in the case of electric vehicles -- will be removed if left in student rooms.
  • Submit a work order for any maintenance or facilities concerns in your room so that they may be addressed by staff during the break.
  • Make sure that common spaces are cleaned and ready in the event that a new resident moves in. Students living in suites and apartments may receive a new suitemate or apartment-mate for Spring 2024.
  • Residents living in a double room with a vacancy should be similarly prepared for a new roommate to move in. Personal possessions should be limited to one side of the room, with the second closet/wardrobe, dresser, and desk clear and ready to be used by a new resident.