Break Housing
Break Housing Periods
Residence hall room and board fees cover occupancy only during the standard academic semester. As a result, the residence halls close during certain college break periods, and students who need to remain on campus during these times must apply and be approved for Break Housing. Additional fees apply for approved Break Housing stays.
What is Break Housing?
Break Housing allows approved students to remain in the residence halls during scheduled campus break periods when the halls are otherwise closed.
If you need to stay on campus during a break, you must submit the Break Housing Request Form linked below. Charges are assessed by break period, not by the number of days you stay. As a result, students are responsible for the full fee associated with any break period for which they are approved.
Residence Life staff will conduct regular inspections throughout the break to ensure compliance with campus policies and occupancy requirements. Students who remain in the residence halls without prior approval may be assessed applicable fees and referred to the Student Conduct process.
Break Housing Periods
For the academic year, Break Housing is available during the following residence hall closure periods:
- Thanksgiving Recess: 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 25 through 12:00 p.m. Sunday, November 29
- Winter Break: 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 9 through 12:00 p.m. Saturday, January 16
- Fall Semester Extended Stay | 12 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9, 2026 to 12 p.m. on Sunday, December 13, 2026
- J-Term Housing | 12 p.m. on Sunday, December 13, 2026 to 12 p.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2027
- Spring Break: 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 5 through 12:00 p.m. Sunday, March 12
Break Housing Fees & Billing
Students approved for Break Housing will be assessed a fee based on the break period(s) requested and approved. Fees are charged by break period and are not prorated based on the number of days a student remains on campus.
Break Housing Rates
- Thanksgiving Break: $225
- Fall Semester Extended Stay: $225
- J-Term Housing: $1,530
- Spring Break: $450
If approved for Break Housing, applicable charges will be posted to your student account within ten (10) business days following the closure of the residence halls for the respective break period. Students are responsible for monitoring their student account and paying all assessed charges by the applicable billing deadlines.
Students Eligible for a Fee Waiver
The following students are eligible for a Break Housing fee waiver:
- [Thanksgiving Break Housing only] Students with a home address more than 500 miles away from Hood College
- Resident Assistants (on-call)
- 607 Rosemont House residents
- Athletics Graduate Assistants
- Students registered as homeless or independent through Financial Aid
- Student teachers/interns participating in an internship that is required for their major during the break period
- ROTC cadets
- In-season athletes
- F-1 Students (as defined by the College)
Sign Up for Break Housing
All residential students must complete the Break Housing form with their unique Hood email address. Students seeking a Break Housing fee waiver must submit supporting documentation for review. The Break Housing fee waiver will only be applied to students who are approved by Residence Life.
Thanksgiving & Winter Break Request Form
Break Housing Request & Fee Waiver Application – Fill out form
Spring Break Request Form
Coming January 30, 2027
Expectations
All policies in the Student Handbook remain in effect during break periods. Any student who is found in violation of College policies will be subject to the Student Conduct process.
- Unauthorized occupancy will not be permitted. Guests are not permitted into the building or rooms while the residence halls are closed.
- All students seeking winter break housing must be enrolled in courses for the Spring semester. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours for the Spring semester. Graduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credit hours for the Spring semester.
- Alcohol possession and/or use by students is not permitted in college residential facilities (including leased facilities) when regular classes are not in session. Any student who is found in violation of this policy will be referred to Student Conduct. Restrictions on alcohol possession and use in non-residential buildings and public areas of the campus also remain in effect.
Dining Services
- Dining Services are limited during break periods. Coblentz Dining Hall will not be open nor will meal plans be activated.
- The Library cafe is open whenver the library is open. Food items may not be stocked at the same cadence as during the academic sessions.
- All residential halls have kitchen amentities that will be accessible to students.
- The Campus Pantry is availalbe to students on the third floor of the Apple building.
Safety
Campus Safety staff are present during break periods; however, everyone needs to do their part to assist in the effort to ensure their own safety. Students must take the following precautions to help ensure the safety and security of themselves and their personal belongings:
- Lock their residential doors at all times
- Walk with someone whenever possible or call Campus Safety at 301-696-3548 for an escort
- Call Campus Safety to report any suspicious persons, concerns or problems
To prepare the residence halls for campus closure and ensure the safety of all residents, Residence Life staff conduct Health & Safety Inspections prior to and during each break period. These inspections help identify safety concerns, maintenance issues, and policy violations that could pose a risk while the halls are closed or operating with limited occupancy.
During inspections, staff may check for:
- Fire and life safety concerns, including prohibited electrical appliances and extension cords
- Cleanliness and sanitation issues that could attract pests or create health hazards
- Unauthorized occupants or guests
- Damage to College property
- Compliance with College housing policies
Students approved to remain on campus during a break period are expected to keep their assigned space in a safe and sanitary condition and may be subject to additional room checks while the residence halls are operating under Break Housing procedures. Failure to comply with housing policies may result in disciplinary action, removal from Break Housing eligibility, assessment of charges, and/or referral to the Student Conduct process.
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