Break Housing Information

Please click on the area you need more information about! Questions? Contact the Residential Life office at reslife@gustavus.edu or 507-933-7529!

  • Break Housing - Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Spring Break
  • Mid-year move outs/Bed Loft Returns
  • Note: Information/timeline below is according to the currently posted College calendar. If any changes are made, processes and information on this page will be updated accordingly.

Break Housing 2024-2025

Break-housing request is required to stay during any of the following breaks when Residential housing is closed:

  • Fall Break, October 21-27, 2024: all residential Housing is closed from 9am on Saturday, October 19 until 12pm/noon on Sunday, October 27, 2024. 
  • Thanksgiving Break, Nov 27 - Dec 1, 2024: all residential housing is closed from 9am on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 until 12pm/noon on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
  • Winter Break, December 21, 2024 - January 12, 2025: all residential Housing is closed from 9am on Saturday, December 21 until 12pm/noon on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
  • Spring Break, March 1-9, 2025: Spring Break - all residential housing is closed from 9am on Saturday, March 1, 2025 until 12pm/noon on Sunday, March 9, 2025. 

Application Process

  • Those needing to stay in any campus housing over any portion of a College break (including late departure or early return) when Residential Housing (Halls, Apartments, Townhomes, Houses) is closed must submit an application before the posted deadline and receive approval from the Department of Residential Life. 
    • Requests submitted after the posted deadline for each break may incur a $25 fine.
    • Remaining/returning in housing without submitting in advance for approval is subject to a $50 improper checkout fine.
    • Residing on campus in violation of the Break Housing approval process will be charged $150/night housing fee for all parties involved.
  • After the application deadline, applicants will receive an approval email and detailed instructions about break housing.
    • Students may need to make their own arrangements for dining services, as that office may be closed or have limited hours over any posted College break. You can check the Dining Service web page for posted break hours.
    • Please check a building or department's posted hours in advance of any break to be fully informed of what campus resources are and are not available during a break; many offices and buildings may be closed. Campus Safety can always be reached at 507-933-8888 for any emergency or safety issue. The College calendar often has updated building hours and campus information. 
  • Students are only approved to stay on the dates specified in their request, and only students with advanced approval can remain in housing (no guests are permitted; roommates are NOT PERMITTED to move in unless they have submitted their own request and been approved). All College policies remain in effect. Note that break housing information will be shared with the Dean of Students office, Campus Safety, Physical Plant, and Building Services.

Fall Break:

Fall Break Housing Request Form 
  • All residential housing (including all halls, apartments, townhomes, and houses) is closed from 9am on Saturday, October 19 until 12pm/noon on Sunday, October 27, 2024. Residential access will not work during this time, unless you have applied and been approved for break housing.
  • Form Submission Deadline: October 1, 2024. Submissions after the posted deadline are subject to a $25 late processing fee.
  • Remaining/returning in housing without submitting in advance for approval is subject to a $150 improper checkout fine.

Thanksgiving Break:

Thanksgiving Break Housing Request Form
  • All residential housing (including all halls, apartments, townhomes, and houses) is closed from 9am on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 until 12pm/noon on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Residential access will not work during this time, unless you have applied and been approved for break housing.
  • Students are eligible to request break housing if they:
    • reside further than 350 miles from campus/are an international student; 
    • are required to remain on campus for an academic, administrative, or athletic department (must list coach/instructor/supervisor name and department); 
    • are approved for special accommodation for extreme extenuating circumstances (requests will be reviewed via the online form by the Director of Residential Life).
  • Form Submission Deadline: Sunday, November 10, 2024. Submissions after the posted deadline are subject to a $25 late processing fee.
  • Remaining/returning in housing without submitting in advance for approval is subject to a $150 improper checkout fine.

Christmas Recess/Winter Break:

Winter Break Housing Request Form

All residential housing (including all halls, apartments, townhomes, and houses) is closed from 9am on Saturday, December 21 until 12pm/noon on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Residential access will not work during this time, unless you have applied and been approved for break housing. 

  • Students are eligible to request beak-housing approval if they:
    • reside further than 350 miles from campus/are an international student; 
    • are required to remain on campus for an academic, administrative, or athletic department (must list coach/instructor/supervisor name and department); 
    • are approved for special accommodation for extreme extenuating circumstances (requests will be reviewed via the online form by the Director of Residential Life).
  • Form Submission Deadline: Sunday, December 8, 2024. Submissions after the posted deadline are subject to a $25 late processing fee. Remaining/returning in housing without submitting in advance for approval is subject to a $150 improper checkout fine.

Please note that the Residential Life office will be closed Monday, December 23, 2024 through Wednesday, January 1, 2024 for the designated College holiday closures. You will not be able to return to campus/seek late break housing approval when the office is closed. You will have to find an alternate housing option if you are not approved in advance for break housing. Residential Life will re-open for normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm) starting Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Spring semester classes begin Monday, January 13, 2025. 

Spring Break/Easter Recess:

Spring Break Housing Request Form
  • All residential housing (including all halls, apartments, townhomes, and houses) is closed from 9am on Saturday, March 1, 2025 until 12pm/noon on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Residential access will not work during this time, unless you have applied and been approved for break housing.
  • Students are eligible to request break housing if they:
    • reside further than 350 miles from campus/are an international student;
    • are required to remain on campus for an academic, administrative, or athletic department (must list coach/instructor/supervisor name and department);
    • are approved for special accommodation for extreme extenuating circumstances (requests will be reviewed via the online form by the Director of Residential Life).
  • Form Submission Deadline: Sunday, February 9, 2025. Submissions after the posted deadline are subject to a $25 late processing fee. 
  • Remaining in housing without submitting in advance for approval is subject to a $150 improper checkout fine.

Moving out of the residence halls 

If at any time you are permanently moving out of campus housing, you must return your room key to the Residential Life office as confirmation of your check out/move out. Please request a checkout envelope or stop by the Residential Life office to pick one up - a checkout envelope and your key(s) must be returned directly to the Residential Life office/drop box, Campus Center 105 to confirm your move-out. ($150 improper checkout charge if not completed, plus $100 each for non-returned keys).

All your belongings must be removed from your room before checking out. If you have a bed loft, you'll need to contact their customer service directly to coordinate pickup/return ($150 improper checkout charge if left in room): 

If you are transferring/withdrawing, please be sure to complete the withdrawal process starting with the Dean of Students office. 

Questions? Please contact reslife@gustavus.edu, call 507-933-7529, or stop by the Residential Life office, Campus Center 105 (Monday-Friday, 8am-4:45pm).