Winter Break housing is available to residents who need to remain on campus during winter break, for an additional fee ($500). Fees for winter break housing are non-negotiable and will apply for any length of stay. Charges are not due at the time of sign-up but will be added to your student account. Winter Break housing sign-up is available in My UW Housing.
Extra Nights
If you are unable to leave by 7 p.m. on December 18, but do not need to stay the entire winter break, you can request to stay up to three additional nights, the night of December 18 (no cost), and the nights of December 19 and December 20 for an additional fee ($40 per night). Residents approved for extra nights would be required to leave no later than 12 p.m. (Noon) the next day (December 19, December 20 or December 21). The Extra Nights application is available in My UW Housing.
Limited Dining & Desk Hours
Dining service and desk hours will be limited during winter break. Students staying over the winter break period will be responsible for their meals during this time. Community kitchens within the residence halls will be available during winter break. More specific information will be sent directly to winter break residents.
Winter Break Dining Hours Winter Break Desk Hours
Microwaves Available
During winter break when you are responsible for your meals, it may be helpful to have a microwave in your room if you don’t already have one. University Housing has clean, working microwaves available to winter break residents that were donated by residents moving out last spring. There is a limited supply, so if you’re interested, please fill out this form by Monday, December 15, to let us know of your interest. The requests will be confirmed in the order they are received, and the microwave will be delivered to your hall desk to be picked up as a package. If you have any questions, feel free to email sustainability@housing.wisc.edu.
Other Food Resources
Other food options to consider for winter break include having groceries in your room, preparing food in the residence hall kitchens, going to local restaurants, or visiting campus or community resources providing free/reduced-cost food. Additional resources on campus can be found here.
Winter Break Resource Guide
Students who are living in the residence halls on campus over winter break should check out the Winter Break
Resource Guide for ways to connect with other residents over the break. The Winter Break Resource Guide will be included via email and on posters in the residence halls.
Students are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Financial Aid or the Office of Student Assistance and Support if they believe they will need additional financial support during winter break.
Additional information about winter break for the academic year will be on our moving & breaks page.