Home for the holidays

On- and off-campus J-Term details

How can I stay on campus for J-term? What happens if I want to stay part time一 some time with family and some time on-campus? Will my card have access? All these questions and more run through my head as the holidays slowly creep closer. November is almost over and before we know it, there will be carolers caroling and presents ‘round the tree. Thankfully, my anxiety over J-term’s logistics were unwarranted and staying on- or off-campus, for however long, should be a breeze. One only needs to keep a few things in mind…

Students can stay on campus for as much of J-term as they like. It could span from a few weeks to the whole month, and can be changed at any time. Residence Life will send out a mass email to the resident student body a few weeks before break. This email holds a link to a form where one can write down when they will be gone from campus. The student will simply need to record an approximation of the dates. The form will be accessible at any time from a laptop, so if a Katie would like to change the original dates that they wrote down, they will be able to do so whenever. If they forget to do this and still come back early, students’ IDs will still work. No one needs to fret, like I did, about being locked out of the dorm building in the snow. 

Where I’m planning on spending my break.

Another point to keep in mind is that if one is staying for any amount of time on campus for J-term, there will be limited hours around campus. The cafeteria will be open every day but with limited hours (roughly 12-4 pm). Please keep this in mind一 no one wants a Katie to go hungry! The library, post office, Marketplace and other dining areas will either have limited hours or they will be closed. Students’ meal points will switch from fall to spring in the middle of January. The specific date of this can be found on the Meal and Dining Plans web page.

Lastly, wherever you will be, please enjoy your break. Personally, I cannot wait for a fireplace, couch, and something warm, which is my happy place. Whether one finds themselves in a quiet place reading, or in a competitive familial game of cards, I hope students can find time to rest and replenish. This year has been long, and the new semester is coming. So, until next time and happy holidays!

And a Happy New Year!