Break Information

Residence Halls at SUNY Geneseo close during College Breaks with the exception of Fall Break. During College Breaks, Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring, the residence halls are considered closed and are minimally staffed. Dining locations are typically closed; CAS may offer limited or pre-arranged meal service. Transportation is not offered during College Breaks. This is a time for students, staff, and faculty to reset and recharge.

Preparing for College Breaks in advance is essential. Dates for each closing are available on the Academic Calendar and the Residence Life home page by clicking the Important Dates button.

Closing Information is available to residents and their identified supporters (family members and trusted champions) via this webpage, social media, and email. In addition, residents can view Closing Information on postings and bulletin boards in their residence hall. Resident Assistants also host community floor meetings to help students understand Closing Procedures and Information.

Any concerns about departing for College Breaks, can be directed to AC or RD of the residence hall.

During College Breaks, because classes are not in session, most residents are required to leave their on campus residence for a period of time. There are exceptions. Students who reside in the Townhouses at Saratoga Terrace, Ontario Deluxe Single Suites, or Wayne Deluxe Singles are not required to depart for College Breaks during the academic year.

Some students may also experience vulnerabilities that make it very difficult to leave campus when the residence halls close. Residence Life staff are prepared to support students who have housing insecurity, financial hardship, or other basic need concern. Other students have academic commitments, athletic competitions, or campus jobs that require them to remain on campus through College Breaks. There are also a number of international and out of state students who have travel restrictions that make departing during the academic year difficult.

Residents with extenuating circumstances may request to remain on campus for College Breaks that occur during the academic year by completing the Break Stay Request form.

Residents of the Townhouses at Saratoga Terrace, Ontario Deluxe Single Suites, or Wayne Deluxe Singles who wish to remain in their residence for any portion of College Breaks that occur during the academic year must complete this Break Stay form.

During all Breaks, College Policies, the Student Code of Conduct, and Residential License remain in effect. In addition, Residence Life closing procedures will impact residents who remain in their residence hall as their room will be entered, even though they are present, for Health & Safety inspections.

Closing Information is disseminated to both residents and identified external supporter in a few ways. Residents who depart for College Breaks will need to follow Residence Life closing procedures and prepare their space for their time away from campus. Room Preparation is completely manageable when students attend RA Closing Meetings or meet with their RA for information and give themselves time to complete the necessary tasks.

Closing Procedures include: taking out trash, closing and locking windows, lowering blinds, unplugging everything (exception: microfridges and fish tanks during Thanksgiving and Spring Breaks), collecting ESA and their belongings, packing any essential personal items, clearing belongings from the unassigned portion of their room if applicable, and locking all doors. Residents who have an unassigned space in their room, may be assigned a roommate at any time. This happens most commonly post Winter Break. Residents will receive a message via email that they are being assigned a new roommate. Prior to departure, ensuring that the other bed, dresser, desk, etc. is clear, clean, and ready for the new roommate to move-in is absolutely necessary.

Residence Life Staff complete Health & Safety Inspections of every residence hall room to ensure that all closing preparation is complete for the safety and security of the building. The inspections typically happen after residents have departed, but may occur while residents are present if they remain on campus during break or have an approved late departure. During inspections, RAs and Professional Staff (AC/RD) are concerned about fire hazards, safety concerns, and policy violations. Examples include, but are not limited to: candles, extension cords, hygiene issues, egress blockage, animals, covered smoke detectors, etc. Items a staff member has previously advised are prohibited, must be removed during break.

Personal preparation for time away is vital as residents may not return to their room or residence once they have departed. This includes friends or family. Packing everything that is needed for a safe and successful break is important. Top 10 items that are often forgotten: keys, passport, ID, medication, glasses, chargers, laptop, contacts, wallet, and make-up!

The week before Residence Hall Closing, staff will place “I’m Out of Here” signs on resident room doors. Residence Life staff request that residents sign this sheet (please!) after they are completely ready to depart – door closed and locked.

Why All the Closing Prep?

Closing windows is imperative in order to maintain temperature in the building and to ensure resident rooms are secure. If forgotten, Residence Life staff may need to move items or climb on furniture to close windows and blinds.

Locking doors is an absolute must to ensure security. Residence Life staff will lock all doors during Health & Safety Inspections and building walk-throughs. Residents must bring their keys with them. Staff availability for lockout support will be limited upon Residence Hall re-opening and there may be a significant wait period.

Unplugging electrical items during Winter Break is a precaution in the event of inclement weather conditions that may impact power. Facilities work may also require the residence halls to be without electricity for periods of time. Items that are connected to an outlet may be damaged. This is basic risk management.

Clearing unassigned spaces creates a positive welcome to a new resident. This indicates that they belong and matter. Any resident in a room with an unassigned space must ensure that all items are removed from the side of the room that could be assigned to another resident. All personal belongings should be on the current resident’s side of the room – the room must have a completely empty side for any new resident to move in.

Signing the “I’m Out of Here” sign alerts Residence Life, Facilities Services, and University Police that residents have departed and indicates the occupancy of the room. This is helpful for safety and security.

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2026 – 2027 Closing Dates & Information

Thanksgiving Break

Residence Halls Close: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 25, 2026
Residence Halls Open: 12:00 p.m., Sunday, November 29, 2026

Intersession | Winter Break

Residence Halls Close: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 16, 2026
UNPLUG EVERYTHING!
Residence Halls Open: 10:00 a.m., Sunday, January 24, 2027

24 Hour Quiet Hours Policy is in effect beginning at 7:30 p.m. on the last day of classes and extends through closing morning. As a student’s right to sleep and study are paramount, there are no warnings for this period.

Students are expected to depart for break within 24 hours of their last final exam or by Sunday, January 24, 2027 at 10:00 a.m., whichever is first. There is no access to the residence halls for residents or other students without Break Stay approval. Residence Life staff will not grant access to rooms once residents have departed.

Spring Break

Residence Halls Close: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 13, 2027
Residence Halls Open: 12:00 p.m., Sunday, March 21, 2027

Summer Break

There are TWO Closing Dates for Summer Break.
The first is the date when most residents will depart. The second date is for graduating seniors, external department student staff, and commencement volunteers.

Residence Halls Close: 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 21, 2027
Residence Halls Close: 10:00 a.m., Sunday, May 23, 2027
REMEMBER EVERYTHING!

24 Hour Quiet Hours Policy is in effect beginning at 7:30 p.m. on the last day of classes and extends through closing morning. As a student’s right to sleep and study are paramount, there are no warnings for this period.

Students are expected to depart for break within 24 hours of their last final exam or by Friday, May 21, 2027 at 10:00 a.m., whichever is first. There is no access to the residence halls for residents or other students without Break Stay approval. Residence Life staff will not grant access to rooms once residents have departed.

Summer Housing Information is available on the Summer Housing webpage. Residents who plan to stay on campus during the Summer Break, will remain in their Residence Hall room until the summer housing transition commences.

Students not returning for Spring 2027 (graduating, studying abroad, leave of absence, etc.) must go to their service desk, locate the “Express Check-Out Box”, complete an express check-out envelope (and insert your key if you are in a key access hall), and deposit it in the box to properly check-out. End of Year Check-Out in May 2027 is similar for those wishing to complete an Express Check-Out. Residents may also Check-Out in person with a Residence Life staff member.

Damage billing room inspections are performed by Facilities Services after resident departure and all personal belongings/items have been removed from the space. Facilities Services identifies damages and applicable charges. Residence Life records the damages and reports the charges to Student Accounts Office to be added to the applicable resident’s account/bill. Damage Billing information is available on the Damage Billing webpage.

Residents must depart before or at the check-out time and return any keys issued to not incur any related check-out charges. An improper check-out will also result in lock change fees.

• Residence Life