Winter Break 2020
– wishes for a safe and happy winter break –
– Winter Break –
Important information regarding Winter Break:
- The Residence Halls will close for the break at 5:00 pm, Friday, DEC 11, 2020
- The RSC will be OPEN limited hours – see On Campus Details under Staying On Campus below.
- The Residential complex will RE-OPEN at Noon on Sunday, JAN 3, 2021 after the break.
- Valsetz Dining Hall will close at 2:00 pm, Friday, DEC 11th and there will be no regular meal service during the break.
- ALL Students must complete the Winter Break Stayover form by 4:00 pm, Tuesday, December 8th.
- With the exception of Arbor Park residents, students staying for the break will be consolidated into one location. Specific hall TBD. Student accounts will be charged $250 to stay for any portion of the break.
– BREAK DETAILS –
Winter Break Accommodations are Available
In light of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, students are strongly encouraged to enjoy this long Winter Break at home.
Having said that, University Housing will offer accommodations for students who choose to stay on campus for the break.
Staying on Campus
Students choosing to stay on campus during any or all of this break will need to keep the following in mind:
- With the exception of Arbor Park residents, your student account will be charged $250 for Winter Break Accommodations.
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- Again, with the exception of Arbor Park residents, students will be consolidated into one building for the duration of the break.
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- All students planning to stay for the break must sign up on the Winter Break Stayover form on their Housing Overview page by 4 PM, Tuesday, DEC 8th to be eligible to stay. NO Exceptions!
Winter Break will eventually give way to Winter Term . . .
Everyone will be tested for COVID-19 prior to moving into the halls for Winter Term. We will email instructions to you during the break.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR WOU EMAIL STARTING DEC 22 for detailed information about selecting a time slot for your COVID-19 test prior to moving into the halls for Winter Term.
Testing will tentatively be available the following dates/timeblocks. Again, we will email you details regarding selecting your specific time block during the break. Following testing, you will go to your assigned Hall for Winter Term and pick up your keys.
- Saturday, JAN 2: 1 pm to 2:30 pm, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
- Sunday, JAN 3: 9 am to 11:30 am, 11: 30 am to 2 pm, 2 pm to 4:30 pm
- Monday, JAN 4: 9 am to 11:30 am, 11: 30 am to 2 pm, 2 pm to 4:30 pm – We are working closely with Academic Affairs – no classes will be cancelled because of testing/check-ins.
REMEMBER: CHECK YOUR WOU EMAIL STARTING DEC 22 for detailed information about selecting a time slot for your COVID-19 test prior to moving into the halls for Winter Term.
What are your plans for Winter Break?
Residential Students
Winter Break:
To stay or not to stay
Regardless of where you live on campus and what your plans are for Winter Break, you need to complete the Winter Break Stayover form. Remember – There is a $250 charge to your student accont for staying on campus for any part of this break. (Exception: Arbor Park residents).
Complete the Winter Break Stayover Form
by 4:00 pm, Tuesday, DEC 8
Look for University Housing Overview under My programs. Once on the Housing Overview page, click on Winter Break Stayover under “Apps and Forms” on the left side of the page. Complete the Winter Break Stayover form to let us know who is staying and who is not.
Alderview & Knox St. Residents
COLD WEATHER – FROZEN PIPE PREVENTION
- Leave cupboard doors under sinks open. This allows warm air to circulate in and around the pipes.
- In severe cold weather, open the faucets (both hot and cold, sinks and tubs) JUST SLIGHTLY and let the water drip all the time. (For obvious reasons, make sure that the drain is not plugged). This simple precaustion can prevent most major pipe damage.
- If your plumbing does freeze, contact your apartment manager immediately so that repairs can be initiated. PLEASE be patient. Our past experience is that campus maintenance staff work extremely long hours during these emergency situations in an effort to get all of campus thawed ouut and operating smoothly. Your patience and understanding is appreciated!
- If cold weather occurs during the break and you are not at home, campus personnel may enter you apartment to check and open faucets.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
Staying On Campus for Winter Break
In the interest of keeping students as safe as possible, this year, students are encouraged to enjoy their Winter Break at home. Having said that, we do have space available for students who choose to remain on campus. See below for details.
Campus Closure
Western Oregon University will be closed on the following days during Winter Break: December 24 – 25, 2020, January 1, 2021.
On Campus Details
Students wishing to stay on campus during the break – please note:
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Your student account will be charged $250 for Winter Break Accommodations.
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Students will be consolidated into one building for the duration of the break.
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All students planning to stay for the break must complete the Winter Break Stayover Form by 4:00 PM, Tuesday, DEC 8th to be eligible to stay. NO Exceptions! Look for the Winter Break Stayover link on the left side of the page under Apps and Forms.
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The RSC is open limited hours during the break. M-F, 2 to 4 pm,
DEC 14-31, 2020. Re-opening for Winter Term on Monday, JAN 4, 2021 -
Campus Dining is closed during the break. There will be no foodservice on campus until 2 pm, Sunday, January 3, 2021.
Room Changes
If you need or want to make a room change and you have a roommate, you will have to start with a Roommate Agreement. SEE YOUR Resident Director.
If you are in a room by yourself and just want to move, again, SEE YOUR Resident Director.
- Complete Room Change paperwork by 4 pm, November 23.
- Complete your Room Change move by 4 pm, November 25.
Consolidation of Students during Winter Break
- With the exception of Arbor Park residents, students choosing to stay on campus for Winter Break will be consolidated into one Hall for the break.
- Start by completing the Winter Break Stayover form by 4:00 pm, December 8th.
- Students requesting to stay (with the exception of Arbor Park residents) will pick up the key to their Winter Break room at the Housing Office, starting December 10. Your move to your Winter Break space will take place on December 10 and 11 and must be completely moved by 4:30 pm on December 11. Once you move, you will not have access to your academic year space during the break. You will be responsible for the condition of this Winter Break room, just as you are responsible for your regular room.
- Your account will be charged $250 to stay on campus for any or all of the break.
- Remember to take everything that you will need during the break with you. You will not have access to your regular room until after noon on Sunday, January 3, 2021.
- You will turn your Winter Break keys into the Housing Office and move back into your academic room on December 29. You must return your break room keys to University Housing by 10 am on December 30 or you will ce charged for a lock change.
Emergency Contact Information - Winter Break
RESIDENTIAL HALLS: If you need help during Winter Break (5 pm, DEC 11 through Noon, JAN 3)
- Please contact the staff member on call at 503-930-2297
FAMILY HOUSING RESIDENTS: If you need help during Winter Break (5 pm, DEC 11 through Noon, JAN 3)
- From 7:00 pm to 8:00 am, please call: 503-932-3414
ALL WINTER BREAK RESIDENTS:
- For Non-Emergencies, contact Campus Public Safety at 503-838-8481
- In case of Emergency at any time, call 503-838-9000
Leaving Campus for the Break
Wherever this break takes you, we hope that you enjoy a safe and rejeuvenating Winter Break. Please know that all returning (and new incoming students) will be tested for COVID-19 prior to moving into the halls for Winter Term. Location and schedule for testing TBD.
Campus Closure
Western Oregon University will be closed on the following days during Winter Break: December 24 – 25, 2020, January 1, 2021.
Winter Break Closing Checklist
To avoid fines and policy violations do everything on this list BEFORE you leave for the break:
- Unplug everything! Please pull plugs out for easy inspection. Remember alarm clocks, micorowaves, TV’s, computers, refrigerators (Arbor Park – just remove perishables), powerstrips, etc.
- EMPTY, CLEAN and unplug your refrigerator and prop open the door 24 hours before you plan to leave. If you don’t keep the door open it may mold. Place a towel under the door to catch the melting water. It only takes a few mnutes to clean!
- Close and lock windows and close your blinds.
- Remove any window decorations / coverings.
- Remove all perishable foods and any and all personal belongings from the living space, bathrooms, or other common areas (to allow custodial staff to deep clean over the break). Please make sure you have everything you need for the break – including clothes, medicine, wallet, electronics, phone, phone chargers and books.
- Empty and remove ALL trash/recycling. You will be charged if you leave trash!
- Pick up personal items off the floor. (Should there be any leaks or issues with pipes during the break, this will help protect your personal items from water damage).
- Turn your heat down to the lowest setting.
- Report work orders through the Housing Overview if you haven’t done so yet.
- Turn off the lights and lock the door.
NOTE: All rooms will be inspected for compliance. Residential violations will be documented and you will be charged accordingly.
Room Changes
If you need or want to make a room change and you have a roommate, you will have to start with a Roommate Agreement. SEE YOUR Resident Director.
If you are in a room by yourself and just want to move, again, SEE YOUR Resident Director.
- Complete Room Change paperwork by 4 pm, November 23.
- Complete your Room Change move by 4 pm, November 25.
Important Winter Break Dates
- DEC 8 – 4:30 pm: Complete the Winter Break Stayover form on your Housing Overview page.
- NOV 23 – 4:00 pm: Complete Room Change paperwork – follow Room Change Guidelines – see p. 13 in your Guide to Residential Living
- NOV 25: 4:00 pm: All room changes should be complete.
- NOV 25: 5:00 pm: Halls close. Make sure that you take everything that you will need for the break with you. $35 per access fee to enter your room before January 3, 2021.
- DEC 10-11: Students who have signed up to stay on campus for the break will move to Winter Break accommodations (with the exception of Arbor Park residents). Make sure that you take everything that you will need for the break with you. $35 per access fee to enter your room before January 3, 2021.
- DEC 24-25, JAN 1: Campus Closure – NO BUSINESS.
- DEC 31 – Noon: Deadline for Meal Plan change requests. email housing@wou.edu.
Withdrawing from WOU?
DEC 31 – 4:00 pm: Last day to move out of the halls without incurring a minimum of the first 10 days of Winter term charges. Start with a petition. Student must be present to check out. - JAN 2 – 1 pm – 4:30 pm: COVID Screening for new and returning residential students. Students will sign up for designated timeslots.
- JAN 3 – 9 am – 4:30 pm: COVID Screening for new and returning residential students. Students will sign up for designated timeslots.
- JAN 4 – 9 am – 4:30 pm: COVID Screening for new and returning residential students. Students will sign up for designated timeslots.
Contact University Housing
With the exception of the Campus Closure, December 24, 25 and January 1, the University Housing office is open and here to help answer any questions you might have regarding Winter Break and the move-in process for Winter term.
You can reach us 9 am to Noon, and 1 pm to 5 pm, Monday – Friday. Reach out – we are here to help!
- email: housing@wou.edu
- Voice: 503-838-8311
