Undergraduate students Jenna Crolla (left), Liv Baumann (center), and Nick Mugnai (right) lie in the snow on Bascom Hill during a winter night snowfall at the University of Wisconsin–Madison on Dec. 15, 2022. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / UW–Madison)

Winter Break Housing

December 20, 2024 – January 18, 2025

Winter Break Housing

Winter Break housing is available to residents who need to remain on campus during winter break from December 20, 2024 – January 18, 2025, 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.

Winter Break Housing

Extra Nights

Residents who are unable to leave by 12 p.m. on December 20 but do not need to stay the entire winter break, can request to stay up to two additional nights (the night of December 20 and the night of December 21) for an additional fee ($40 per night). Residents approved for extra nights would be required to leave no later than 12 p.m. on December 22. The Winter Break Extra Nights application is available in My UW Housing. If you have questions, please email reslife@housing.wisc.edu.

Extra Nights Application

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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 16 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.

Request Microwave

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.

Campus & Community Food Resources    Additional Resources

Please note: Meal plans for the 2025 Spring Semester begin Sunday, January 12, 2025.

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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 2024-25 academic year will be published in November 2024 on our moving & breaks page.

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