I can’t believe I’m writing this, but winter break and spring semester (2024!!) will be here before we know it.
Today’s post contains some important—and hopefully helpful—information that has been shared with students who live in Longwood-managed housing. (But, of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean that your student has shared this information with you.)
If you have any questions, here’s the contact information for Residential and Commuter Life:
housing@longwood.edu
434-395-2080
IMPORTANT DATES
Residence Halls and Apartment Communities Close
Noon on Saturday, Dec. 9
Residential and Commuter Life Office and University Closed
Saturday, Dec. 16, through Monday, Jan. 1, 2024
Residential and Commuter Life Office and University Reopen
Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024
Spring Semester Classes Begin
8 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024
WINTER BREAK INFORMATION
Departure schedule
Students whose exams end between Monday, Dec. 4, and Thursday, Dec. 7, are required to leave within 24 hours of their last exam. Students whose last exam is on Friday, Dec. 8, are required to leave before noon on Saturday, Dec. 9.
Drop off and pick up information for Moss and Johns halls
If your student lives in Moss or Johns hall, you will be able to load and unload vehicles on Spruce Streetduring December closing and January opening. Similar to the one-way traffic flow of August move-in, fall break and Thanksgiving break, please be sure to access Spruce Street by taking Wynne Drive to Pine Street and then turn onto the sidewalk in front of the Fitness Center. Use Redford Street (McDonald’s intersection) only to EXIT campus. To prevent dangerous traffic congestion on the South Main Street side of the high rises, please be aware that the loop area will be closed.
Checkout procedures for students RETURNING to Longwood-managed housing after winter break
Any student who is returning to the same room for the spring 2024 semester must complete the checkout checklist below before departing for winter break. Please encourage your student to discuss the checkout steps with their roommates to ensure that every step on the checklist is completed. Any missed steps will result in charges to the student account for all residents of the room/apartment.
Checkout procedures for students NOT RETURNING to Longwood-managed housing for spring semester
Any student who does not intend to live in Longwood-managed housing for the spring semester must submit a mid-year departure request form, which can be found in the Student Housing Gateway, which is accessible to your student. This form must be approved by Residential and Commuter Life. All checkout procedures (see below) must be followed. If checkout procedures are not followed, damage charges will be placed on the student account for each resident of the room/apartment. All room/apartment keys must be returned to the assigned community front desk as part of the checkout procedure.
Checkout Procedure: Apartment Resident Checklist
—Dispose of all trash and perishables from the apartment.
—Thoroughly clean the assigned living area (including bathroom).
—Remove all perishable items from the kitchen refrigerator.
—Shut down and unplug all electronics (except mini-fridges and major kitchen appliances).
—Close and lock all windows and doors.—Adjust thermostat heat to 68 degrees. Do not turn off heat.
—Remove objects from on top of/around heaters, radiators, vents, etc. Lower blinds and twist slightly open.
—Leave the porch light on (Lancer Park residents).
—Take valuables and often forgotten items (medication, eyeglasses, checkbook, etc.).
—Townhouse residents should open their bathroom cabinets and leave the bathroom doors open.
Checkout Procedure: Residence Hall Resident Checklist
—Remove all trash and/or perishable food.
—Thoroughly clean the assigned unit, including the bathroom and any common spaces.
—If applicable, adjust the room thermostat/fan to a low/medium setting.
—Take valuables and often forgotten items (medication, eyeglasses, checkbook, etc.).
—Shut down and unplug all electronics, except refrigerators.
—Turn off all lights.
—Close and lock all windows.
—Lower all window blinds/shades.
—Lock all doors.
Can students living in residence halls register to stay in their rooms during winter break?
No. All main campus residence halls close over winter break at noon on Saturday, Dec. 9. No students are permitted to register to stay on the main campus over winter break. Due to the energy costs associated with maintaining the heat and electricity over the break period, construction, maintenance, cleaning and limited staff availability, the residence halls must close during this time.
Can residents of Lancer Park or the Landings register to stay over winter break?
Yes. Students currently living in Lancer Park, Lancer Park North and South, and Longwood Landings who will remain in their current rooms for the spring 2024 semester may register to stay over winter break. Any student who wishes to stay past noon on Dec. 9 or return prior to noon on Jan. 6, must submit the intent to stay form in Student Housing Gateway accessible to your student by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7.
SPRING SEMESTER: RETURNING TO CAMPUS
Continuing students who have been approved for a spring semester room change
Continuing students making spring room changes should report to their new residence hall/apartment community in order to be issued keys and paperwork. RCL staff will verify the room assignment and provide keys as well as important check-in materials.
Check-in Times
Saturday, Jan. 6, noon to 5 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 7, noon to 5 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 8, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Continuing students who are returning to the same room
No special check-in or additional paperwork is required. Students may return to their rooms when the residence hall and apartment communities reopen, beginning at noon on Saturday, Jan. 6. Apartment residents who submitted the intent to stay form may return prior to this date.
Filling room and apartment vacancies for spring semester
Any student living in a room or apartment that has a vacancy may be assigned a new roommate/housemate. Because the housing terms and conditions entitle a resident to half the space in a double room in the residence halls or apartment bedroom and common space, these vacant spaces should be cleaned and cleared prior to the start of winter break.
If a new assignment is made during winter break, the new roommate’s information will be available through the Student Housing Gateway, which is accessible to your student. Students should log into the Gateway during the winter break to find out if a new roommate has been assigned. (Popups must be enabled in the web browser.)
Please keep in mind that a new roommate can be assigned to fill a vacancy anytime during the winter break or during the spring semester.
Changing a student’s meal plan for the spring semester
Any residential student wishing to change their meal plan may do so by 5 p.m. Jan. 18, 2024, through the Lancer Card Center website: https://lancercard.longwood.edu/. Students also may add Bonus Dollars to their account at any time during the semester through the website.
SOME ADDITIONAL REMINDERS
—Students planning to transfer or withdraw from Longwood must contact the Registrar’s Office to complete the necessary paperwork. Failure to do so will result in housing and meal plan charges being placed on the student’s account.
Office of the Registrar
Brock Hall 112
201 High Street
Farmville, VA 23909-1899
434-395-2580
—All residential communities will remain locked (24/7)during the break. Students who are approved to stay during the winter break will continue to have access to their assigned buildings through the card reader(s) on their buildings (where applicable).
—No guests are allowed in university housing during the break.
—An extended brunch meal will be served from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. The fall meal plan ends following that meal.
—Up-to-date hours and information for all other Longwood Dining-managed food venues can be found at https://longwood.campusdish.com/.
—Farmville Area Bus service(FAB) will end at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, and will resume at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6. There is no bus service during the winter break period.
—Residence hall rooms and apartments are subject to entry during the break; limited work orders and/or facility safety inspections could occur.
—For general assistance from Campus Police during the break, students can call 434-395-2091. In case of emergency, students should call 911.
—Sabrina Brown