Welcome to the University Residence Halls! Whether you’re arriving on campus for the very first time with a van full of boxes, packing up for the of the school year, or simply planning your trip home for a break, we work to make your experience as convenient as possible. Watch this page for parking/traffic info, dining options, desk hours, check-in/out details, and more for each of the major parts of the school year. Full details are posted in the weeks prior to each period when the information becomes available.
Spring Break
March 22 – 30, 2025
All University Residence Halls will remain open through spring break without charge for residents who choose to remain on campus. If you have questions, contact your House Fellow or Residence Life Coordinator (RLC).
Parking
Traffic will be busy around the residence halls due to spring break. UW-Madison Transportation Services will allow 30-minute pick-up (March 21 – 23) and drop-off (March 28 – 30) for residents and their families in areas around the residence halls. For details, view our parking map.
Free Parking Areas
- 30-Minute Parking: Visitors may park for up to 30-minutes in lots 2, 5, 26, 34, 35, 37, 44, 48, 58, 61, 69, 110, 136, and at mobile payment stations located on Babcock Dr, Kronshage Dr, Observatory Dr, and adjacent to Barnard, Chadbourne, Ogg, Smith, and Witte. Winter parking rules must be followed. Vehicles that are left unattended for over 30-minutes are at risk of being ticketed as this accommodation is meant for pick-up and drop-off only.
- Side Streets Near Campus: Some City of Madison streets near campus offer limited parking with time limits, although winter parking rules must be followed.
- Other Campus Parking Lots: Some campus lots may offer free parking on weekends or after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Check posted parking lot entrance signs for details.
Free Campus Bus Route
Madison Metro Transit’s campus bus route #80 is free and runs throughout the UW-Madison campus area from approximately 8 a.m. – Midnight year-round. Additional information on route #80 can be found in Madison Metro’s ride guide.
Paid Parking Areas
- Campus Parking Lots: In lots 6, 7, 17, 20, 27, 29, 36, 46, 67, 76, 80, and 83 visitors will take a ticket on entrance and pay when leaving the lot. Hourly rates vary by location. No trailers are allowed.
- Long-Term & Day Parking: long term and day parking can be purchased in advance through a Transportation Services form based on space.
No Parking Areas
Parking is prohibited at all times in fire lanes, no parking zones, disabled stalls (unless a proper permit is displayed), in front of trash dumpsters, in service vehicle stalls, on grass, or on sidewalks.
Staff
House Fellows will be on duty in each residence hall community and the House Fellow duty phone number is posted at the entries of each residence hall.
Desks
Campus and US mail delivery will continue over spring break. Desk hours will be limited. All desks will return to regular academic year hours on Sunday, March 30.
Security
Desk hours will be reduced during spring break. Please carry your Wiscard at all times to ensure access when doors are locked. Residents remaining on campus are reminded to lock their rooms whenever they leave.
Students are requested to report the presence of unauthorized persons to a staff member or the UW-Madison Police Department at 264-COPS (264-2677) immediately. This is particularly important during this period. Please be alert and do not allow non-residents or anyone unknown to you to enter the building.
Guests
Each room may have one overnight guest per room, per night. Guests must be escorted at all times and must abide by all University Housing policies as stated in the rules & expectations. Residents are responsible for the actions of their guests.
Maintenance
Maintenance and custodial staff will be available and working in all facilities during spring break. A maintenance request may be filled out if you need something.
Dining
Hours for spring break are listed below. Dining locations will resume regular semester hours on Sunday, March 30.
Location | Meal Period | Saturday, March 22 - Saturday, March 29 | |
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Four Lakes Market 640 Elm Dr. Menu |
Brunch | 9 am - 2 pm |
Dinner | 4 pm - 8 pm | ||
- Flamingo Run - | 10 am -8 pm | ||
- Bean & Creamery - | Closed | ||
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Gordon Avenue Market 770 W. Dayton St. Menu |
Brunch | 9 am - 2 pm |
Dinner | 4 pm - 8 pm | ||
- Flamingo Run - | 10 am - 8 pm | ||
- Southeast Café - | Closed | ||
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Starbucks 35 N. Park St. |
Daily | 7 am - 2 pm |
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Shake Smart Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center |
Daily | Monday - Friday: 9 am - 4 pm |
Note: Carson’s, Liz’s, Lowell’s, and Rheta’s Markets will be closed during spring break.
Spring Move-Out
May 3 – 10, 2025
All University Residence Halls will close for the spring semester on May 11, 2025. Students should vacate their rooms within 24 hours of their last exam or by 4 pm on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Additional information about spring move out will be published in April 2025.
Fall Move-In
Week of August 24 – 30, 2025
University Housing Fall Move-In dates will be the week of August 24-30, 2025. Some residents of a few approved student groups, including Housing student employees, may receive an earlier move-in date to participate in required training or orientation activities. Students will receive their pre-assigned move-in date and time when they receive their room assignment this summer, so we recommend waiting to make travel plans until they know their date.
Note: Once students have received their pre-assigned move-in date and time, they will be able to switch to another available timeslot in their My UW Housing. Available dates and times will fluctuate as other students adjust their schedules.
Additional details about fall move-in will be available in August 2025.
*Subject to change
Fall Break
November 27, 2025 – November 30, 2025
Information about fall break for the 2025-26 academic year will be published in October 2025.
Winter Break
December 19, 2025 – January 19, 2026
Information about winter break for the 2025-26 academic year will be published in November 2025.
Spring Move-In
January 17 & 18, 2026
Information about spring move-in for the 2025-26 academic year will be published in January 2026.