Thanksgiving/Winter Break 2023

Thanksgiving Break

November 22-26, 2023

Students who wish to stay in the residence halls for Thanksgiving Break November 22nd-26th do not need to fill out a form. The residence halls will remain open throughout the break. Access will not be removed from students' cards in order to enter their assigned building. 

Winter Break Housing

For the winter break, all residence halls will close at 5:00 p.m. on December 13th and reopen on January 12th.

Students who wish to retain access to their space past closing will need to complete the Winter Break Housing Options application in the Housing Portal and select the option (Fall Extended Stay, Winter Break Housing, or Spring Early Arrival) that applies to their situation.

Students who wish to apply for a Fall 2023 extended stay, 2023 Winter Break Housing, and/or Spring 2024 Early Arrival will need to apply via the Winter Break Housing Options application in the Housing Portal between 10:00 am. November 1- 11:59 pm on December 1. The Spring 2024 Early Arrival application will remain open until January 4.

  • Residents must apply for winter break housing in order to retain access to their space. Residents who are approved for Winter Break Housing will be assessed a $350 fee, which will be added to their Spring 2024 housing bill. 

  • Graduating seniors are eligible to stay until 9:00 a.m. on December 18.

  • Students who did not apply for extended stay or winter break housing will need to check out for the fall semester within 24 hours of their last final, or by 5:00 pm on December 13. 

When Leaving for Winter Break

When leaving for winter break, residents should be sure to complete the following:

  • Remove all trash and dispose of any open food items.
  • Turn off the lights.
  • Set the thermostat to 60 degrees or low-medium setting.
  • Unplug and defrost the refrigerator. It is recommended that you leave the door open and place a towel at the bottom to catch any water or liquids.
  • Take any belongings residents wish to use over the winter break (clothes, medications, electronics, game systems, etc.). 

Extended Stay Housing

Students who have a need to stay past closing on December 13th will need to submit an Extended Stay application through the Housing Portal. Reasons for needing extended stay housing include international flights that do not allow the student to leave by 5:00 p.m. on December 13, make-up exam, on-campus job, etc. Extended Stay housing is offered free of charge. Students who apply for extended stay housing will be automatically approved and will need to leave for winter break by 9:00 a.m. on December 18 to avoid being charged for Winter Break Housing. Requests for Extended Stay Housing will not be accepted past December 1, 2023. Residents cannot request Extended Stay Housing past 9:00 a.m. on December 18 and do not need to notify housing if they plan to leave earlier than initially planned. Residents who cancel their Spring 2024 housing assignment after applying for extended stay housing will have their application canceled and will need to move out within the timeline communicated in their housing cancellation confirmation.

Graduating Residents

Residents who are graduating will need to apply and be approved for graduation by the Registrar's Office. Housing and Residence Life works with the Registrar's Office to obtain rosters of those who are graduating at the end of the fall 2023 semester. Residents who are graduating will need to cancel their Spring 2024 Housing Assignment by submitting an Agreement Release Request through the Housing Portal. (unless you are returning for a graduate program at Mason) and check out by 9:00 a.m. on December 18. Graduating residents are not eligible for the full extended stay period.

Residents Not Returning for Spring 2024

Residents who have been released from their housing agreement for Spring 2024 and will not be returning to on-campus housing will need to complete an Agreement Release Request through the Housing Portal. Approval is needed before students are released from their Spring 2024 housing agreement. Residents who are provided a release will need to check out by December 13th at 5:00 p.m. and are not eligible for an extended stay. Residents not returning for Spring 2024 are not eligible for any of the winter break housing options and will have their application canceled. 

Winter Break Housing

Residents who apply for and are approved for Winter Break Housing will be assessed a $350 fee, which will be added to their Spring 2024 billing. All residence halls are considered closed for the winter break, and only those who have been approved for winter break housing will retain access to their space.  The $350 Winter Break Housing fee is non-refundable after the application has been approved and will not be pro-rated based on the amount of time the residents access their space over the winter break. Residents who do not apply for Winter Break Housing but later request access or access their space without applying and will be assessed the $350 fee.

Dining options will be limited throughout the break period and students should be prepared to provide their own meals throughout the break. Information regarding dining hours of operation can be found at dining.gmu.edu. 

Winter Break FAQ

I only plan to stay in the residence halls a couple of days over the winter break. Do I need to pay the $350 fee?

Yes. Students who access their space at any point over the winter break (aside from the extended stay/early arrival periods) will be assessed the $350 fee. Residents must apply for extended stay and/or early arrival to retain access to their space after 5:00 p.m. December 13-9:00 until 9:00 a.m. December 18.  Residents who wish to return to their space before the residence halls open on January 12 will need to apply for either early arrival housing, which grants access beginning at 10:00am on January 7, or apply for winter break housing.

Can I apply for both Fall 2023 Extended Stay and Spring 2024 Early Arrival?

Yes. Residents who need extended stay housing for the fall semester and early arrival housing for Spring 2024 will need to submit a Winter Break Housing Options application for those two periods. Students who are not sure if they need both Fall Extended Stay and Spring Early Arrival should apply for both. After an application has been submitted, it cannot be changed (i.e. a student cannot apply for only Fall Extended Stay and later add on Spring Early Arrival or vice versa).

What happens if my circumstances change and I need Winter Break Housing after the halls have closed?

Residents who have a change of circumstances during the winter break will need to go to the Eisenhower or Piedmont Desk to agree to the terms of Winter Break Housing and have their access restored. Regardless of the date, a resident requests Winter Break Housing, the $350 fee will be assessed. The fee is non-refundable and will not be pro-rated based on the dates the resident accesses their space.

I will be new to housing for Spring 2024. Am I eligible for any of the above processes?

It Depends. Only new residents who are registered for winter orientation and current residents who have both a Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 booking are eligible for any of the Winter Break Housing Options processes. Residents who are new and attending winter orientation will receive an early arrival confirmation and instructions on what to do for move-in after the university reopens on January 2.

I am moving rooms mid-year/over the winter break. Am I eligible for any of the above processes?

Yes. Residents who are moving to a new space for the Spring 2024 semester are eligible for Fall Extended Stay, Winter Break Housing, and/or Spring Early Arrival Housing. Should this apply to you, be sure to note the following:

  • If the resident will be part of Fall Extended Stay, then residents will need to completely move out and check out by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, December 18. This means that residents will need to remove all of their belongings, clean their space, return it to its original configuration, and return their keys before leaving for the winter break. 
  • If you are participating in Winter Break Housing, you will be able to keep your items in your Fall 22 space until your Spring 24 space is ready. Residents who select this option must complete their move on 2-3. Residents will have 24 hours to complete their move. Should a resident not be able to complete the move themselves, then the resident will be responsible for making alternative arrangements to have their items moved or be responsible for any fees associated with Housing completing the move for them.
  • If you are participating in Spring Early Arrival, you will be able to move into your Spring 2024 space beginning at 10:00 a.m. on January 7. Similar to residents who did not participate in any part of Winter Break Housing or took part in the Fall Extended Stay process, residents will need to completely move out and check out before leaving for the winter break.. This means that residents will need to remove all of their belongings, clean their space, return it to its original configuration, return any hard brass keys, and complete the online Express Checkout Form in the Housing Portal before leaving for the winter break. 

When can I get food on campus during thanksgiving and winter break?

Find out when you can dine at your favorite campus dining locations. 

Break Dining Hours—https://masondining.sodexomyway.com/dining-near-me/hours 

Helpful Tips:  

  1.  During Thanksgiving: Independence Ultimate and Independent Extended meal plan users can dine at the Globe between November 23-25. 

  1. During Winter Break: Independent Ultimate meal plan users can dine at the Globe between December 14-31. 

  1. Students with Bonus Funds, Freedom Funds, or Mason Money can dine at the dining halls and select retail locations. To add funds or upgrade your meal plan, visit the Online Mason Card Office. 

 

Where can I use my meal plans during the break?

Independence, Liberty, Patriot, and SMSC meal swipes are inactive during Thanksgiving and Winter Break. To access dining halls with meal swipes, students must upgrade to an Independence Extend (Thanksgiving Only) or Independence Ultimate (Thanksgiving and Winter Break) or use Bonus Funds, Freedom Funds, or Mason Money. To make changes or add funds, visit the Online Mason Card Office.

How to get to the airport from the campus?

There are three major airports located in the Washington, D.C. metro area: Dulles International Airport (IAD), Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport (DCA), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Click here for information about each airport and transportation options.

I lost my Mason ID. What should I do?

If your card is lost or stolen, log into the Online Mason Card Office and select "Lost/Stolen Card" to deactivate your Mason ID to prevent any unauthorized usage of Mason Money and meal plans. Visit the Mason Card Office during business hours to get a replacement card. There is a $25 fee for a card replacement. 

You may also activate your Mason Mobile ID on your mobile devices to access your meal plans, residence halls, and campus services. 

How do I get to the regional airports, train stations, or public transit centers?

Whether you plan to travel afar or stay locally, check out information on various ridesharing options, Mason shuttles, and parking information. Plan your trip -- https://transportation.gmu.edu/winter-break/