Housing and Residence Life

Breaks

Housing and Residence Life
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5312 USA
(269) 387-4735

Fall Break

Review the information below for directions on what to do depending on your plans for Fall Break.

Staff will be doing supervised room checks beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. The checks are for maintenance and safety inspections, and they are done while still respecting your privacy. If you have questions about room checks, please see your hall director.

You do not need to let us know you are staying. Relax and enjoy break. The University is closed Oct. 18, but Student Center Dining is still open.

Safety

While the residence halls will be open, many campus services will be closed or limited. For your protection and safety during the holiday break:

  • Housing and Residence Life staff will be on duty to respond to problems or emergencies. See the information posted at your front desk.
  • All university and residence hall policies apply.
  • Do not allow others to access the building, and make sure you keep your room door locked.
  • Make sure building entrance doors are closed and secure.

Hall Services

  • The front desk will be closed Oct. 16 to 19. Information on how to contact staff will be posted.
  • The hall office will be open Oct. 16 and 17.
  • Mail will be processed Oct. 16 and 17. Mail and package services are suspended starting Oct. 18 and resume on Oct. 21.

Contacting Staff During Break

A staff member will be on duty at all times during the break and will be available to assist you. Information on how to contact staff will be posted on your floor, at your hall front desk and outside of your building. If you have an emergency, please contact WMU Department of Public Safety at (269) 387-5555.

Dining Services

Dining hours and menus are modified during fall break.

Please register if you are staying for any part of break Oct. 16 - 19. The University is closed Oct. 18, but Student Center Dining is still open. If you are on campus at any time during break, see the Staying for Fall Break section for information on desk hours, mail service, safety and more.

Preparing your room

  • Close and secure windows; close blinds. If you are in a ground- or roof-level room, insert the wooden security stick in the window track. If you don’t have one, see your hall office.
  • Take out all of your trash to the dumpster and recyclables to the appropriate bin outside.
  • Shut off and unplug all unnecessary appliances (TV, computer, stereo).
  • Clear your heat register of any obstruction.
  • Take home any valuables.
  • Clean and lock bathrooms.

Dining Services

Dining hours and menus are modified during fall break.

Thanksgiving Break

Review the information below for directions on what to do depending on your plans for Thanksgiving Break.

Staying for Thanksgiving break

Please register if you are staying for any part of break Nov. 27-30.  If you are on campus at any time during break, please read the information on desk hours, mail service, safety and more.

Safety

While the residence halls will be open, many campus services will be closed or limited. For your protection and safety during the holiday break:

  • Housing and Residence Life staff will be on duty to respond to problems or emergencies. See the information posted at your front desk.
  • All university and residence hall policies apply.
  • Do not allow others to access the building, and make sure you keep your room door locked.
  • Make sure building entrance doors are closed and secure.

Hall Services

  • The front desk will be closed Nov. 27 to 30. Information on how to contact staff will be posted.
  • The hall office will be closed Nov. 26 to Dec. 1.
  • Mail and package services are suspended starting Nov. 28 and resume on Dec. 2.

Contacting Staff During Break

A staff member will be on duty at all times during the break and will be available to assist you. Information on how to contact staff will be posted on your floor, at your hall front desk and outside of your building. If you have an emergency, please contact WMU Department of Public Safety at (269) 387-5555.

Leaving for Thanksgiving break

Please register if you are staying for any part of break Nov. 27-30.

Preparing your room

  • Close and secure windows; close blinds. If you are in a ground- or roof-level room, insert the wooden security stick in the window track. If you don’t have one, see your hall office.
  • Take out all of your trash to the dumpster and recyclables to the appropriate bin outside.
  • Shut off and unplug all unnecessary appliances (TV, computer, stereo).
  • Clear your heat register of any obstruction.
  • Take home any valuables.
  • Clean and lock bathrooms.

Dining Services

Dining services are closed during Thanksgiving break.

Winter Break

The residence halls close for holiday recess 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13.  They reopen at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, and food service resumes Monday, Jan 6 at 7 a.m., at the Valley Dining Center. WMU and the housing office closes 5 p.m. Dec. 23 and reopens at 9 a.m. Jan. 2, 2025.

You do not need to move out of your room. Take home the things you will need over break and secure your room. To prevent pests, take out your trash and recycling, remove food that will spoil, clean dishes left in the room, and close and lock your windows. Unplug non-essential electrical items. Access to your hall will not be available Dec. 14 to Jan. 3.

Staff will be doing supervised room checks beginning 7 p.m. Dec. 13. The checks are for maintenance and safety inspections, and they are done while still respecting your privacy.

Click here for more information

  1. Request to cancel your housing contract. Sign into the housing portal and fill out the cancellation request. You will receive an email regarding your cancellation status.
  2. Empty, clean and wipe down your part of the room as well as the bathroom (suites). Return your bed to its original set-up position.
  3. Make arrangements with Bedloft to return any EcoMax units (www.bedloft.com).
  4. Confirm with the hall office or your resident assistant the check-out process in place for your building.
  5. Change your mail forwarding information on GoWMU.

If your roommate leaves, please keep the second half of the room open for new students joining us in January. You will not receive notice if a new roommate is assigned to you. Instead, you can check on the housing portal under "View my spring assignment." 

January Return

Residence halls reopen 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. You may return then or anytime after. Food service and classes begin Monday, Jan. 6.

Spring Break

Review the information below for directions on what to do depending on your plans for Spring Break.

Staff will be doing supervised room checks beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27. The checks are for maintenance and safety inspections, and they are done while still respecting your privacy. If you have questions about room checks, please see your hall director.

Please register by noon Thursday, Feb. 27, if you are staying for all or part of break. It helps us look out for everyone’s safety if we know who will be around. If your plans change, you may update your information at any time.

Safety

While the residence halls will be open, many campus services will be closed or limited. For your protection and safety during the holiday break:

  • Housing and Residence Life staff will be on duty to respond to problems or emergencies. See the information posted at your front desk.
  • All university and residence hall policies apply.
  • Do not allow others to access the building, and make sure you keep your room door locked.
  • Make sure building entrance doors are closed and secure.

Hall Services

  • The front desk will close February 28 and reopen March 9. Information on how to contact staff will be posted.
  • The hall office will be open February 28 and March 2 to 6.
  • Mail will be processed February 28 and March 2 to 6. Mail and package services are suspended March 1 and 2 and March 7 to 9. Services resume March 10.

Contacting Staff During Break

A staff member will be on duty at all times during the break and will be available to assist you. Information on how to contact staff will be posted on your floor, at your hall front desk and outside of your building. If you have an emergency, please contact WMU Department of Public Safety at (269) 387-5555.

Dining Services

Dining hours and menus are modified during spring break.

If you are staying on campus at any time any time between February 28 and March 9, please register by noon Thursday, Feb. 27. It helps us look out for everyone’s safety if we know who will be around. If your plans change, you may update your information at any time.

See the Staying for Spring Break section for information on desk hours, mail service, safety and more.

Preparing your room

  • Close and secure windows; close blinds. If you are in a ground- or roof-level room, insert the wooden security stick in the window track. If you don’t have one, see your hall office.
  • Take out all of your trash to the dumpster and recyclables to the appropriate bin outside.
  • Shut off and unplug all unnecessary appliances (TV, computer, stereo).
  • Clear your heat register of any obstruction.
  • Take home any valuables.
  • Clean and lock bathrooms.

Dining Services

Dining hours and menus are modified during spring break.