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Winter Break Closure 2023

During winter break, most campus residence halls close and residents must leave the buildings. For those students moving out permanently at winter break, move-out instructions will be sent directly to you via email. In the meantime, here’s a summary of what you need to know if you’re planning to return in January.

 

Winter 2023-24 Closure Dates

  • All residence halls, with the exception of Martinez Commons, will close on Saturday, December 16, 2023, by 10 a.m.  
  • Residents may move back into the halls beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2024.  

Residents are not allowed to reside in buildings during semester break due to energy curtailment. However, residents are allowed to leave their belongings in the halls over the semester break at their own risk. 

Residence Halls That Will Be Closed

These residence halls will be closed during winter break:

  • Unit 1
  • Unit 2
  • Unit 3
  • Blackwell Hall
  • Clark Kerr
  • Foothill
  • Stern

Buildings That Will Remain Open

The following buildings will remain open during winter break:

  • Channing-Bowditch
  • Clark Kerr Apartments
  • Enclave Apartments
  • Martinez Commons Residence Hall and Apartments
  • New Sequoia Apartments
  • Panoramic Berkeley
  • Wada Apartments

Before Winter Closure, You Need To Do the Following

Here is a summary of what you need to do before you leave for winter break.

  • Turn off and unplug room lights, computers, alarm clocks, timers, televisions, power strips cords, etc., (but please do not unplug your refrigerator).
  • Make sure your room is clean, vacuumed, and that all perishable food, and trash, is properly thrown away.
  • Close windows, curtains, and lock your door.
  • Take any medicine, important documents, valuables, with you, and secure your bicycle.
  • Pick up your mail.

Every room will be inspected by Hall Staff after closing to ensure compliance with check-out procedures.

Residence Halls Reopen on Thursday, January 11, 2024  

Have a safe winter break, and we look forward to seeing you on Thursday, January 11, 2024 when the halls will reopen.

What if I need a place to stay during winter break?

If you think you will need to find housing over winter break, we suggest that you look into options as soon as possible, if you haven’t already done so. We know that finding housing can be stressful and we want to make sure you know about campus resources and people who may be able to help. The Basic Needs Center, in collaboration with the Student Advocate’s Office, has created the Resources for Winter Break Housing Applicants guide, which includes a list of temporary housing options, emergency food resources, Basic Needs Center support, and more.

If you want to talk through off-campus Winter Break Housing options, you can contact the Student Advocate’s Office (SAO) to request a meeting.

2023 Emergency Winter Break Housing

The Emergency Winter Break Housing program is a campus program that provides emergency housing for current campus housing residents who have very limited financial resources and who have no other housing options during the winter break. Students who participate in this program will be provided with accommodations at a nearby hotel for the duration of winter break. The hotel room will likely include daily breakfast, a kitchenette, wifi, and access to a pay-for-use laundry facility. Space is currently limited to only 20 rooms, so be sure to explore other options (such as those listed in the resource guide) as well.

 

To qualify for the program, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Current residence hall residents who will continue living in their residence hall for the spring semester (not intended for re-enrollment or graduating students); and
  • Need housing for the entire duration of winter break period December 16, 2023 -January 10, 2024; and
  • Have very limited financial resources and no other options for winter break housing

 

Applicants who meet one or more of the following criteria will be prioritized for emergency housing:

  • Berkeley Hope Scholars Students
  • Students experiencing violence or safety concerns at home
  • International students in situations where their home country is experiencing a disaster, crisis or a geopolitical conflict that represents a safety concern for travel

If you or a student you know will experience homelessness or unsafe housing during this time period and can not afford alternatives, please complete this application. Please note that the priority application deadline will close on October 31, 2023 at 11:59 pm, and the priority decision notification date is November 13, 2023.

 

NOTE: If you are in need of housing due to sexual violence/sexual harassment (SVSH) or intimate partner violence, please reach out to PATH to Care at ptcadvocates@berkeley.edu or call their Care Line at 510-643-2005 instead of completing this form.

 

If you are experiencing housing insecurity, please contact the Basic Needs Center by going to completing the Basic Needs Assistance Form

 

If you have any questions regarding the winter break application process, please reach out to Cal Housing at winterhousing@berkeley.edu or call 510-642-4108.

 

We hope this information is helpful, and we look forward to supporting you.

 

Questions?

If you have additional questions, please contact your Unit Office.