Winter Break Policy 2013-14

According to the 2013-14 Residence Agreement, residence is provided, “from September 2, 2013 to either at noon the day following the student's last examination, or at noon on December 18, 2013, whichever occurs first, and from noon on January 5, 2014 to conclude either at noon the day following the student's last examination, or at noon on April 24, 2014, whichever occurs first or as otherwise determined in accordance with this agreement. The University plans to close the Residences the day after the last December exam and will not provide accommodation, services, nor the associated support staff until reopening the Residences the day before the start of classes in January. The University may grant an extension of this agreement during Winter Break and/or beyond the expiry date for students whose circumstances, in the opinion of the University, require them to remain in residence. The University will collect a fee for each week (or part thereof) the student remains in residence during the Winter Break...”.

Please note that although students are not allowed to stay in residence over the Winter Break that does NOT mean that students have to move their belongings out of residence. Students are welcome to leave their things locked safely in their room while away for the break. However, please note that the University is not liable for personal property. 

There are very limited circumstances under which a student may stay in residence during the Winter Break. Please note the following statement which was in the residence on-line application:

”Students are not allowed to stay in residence during the Winter Break. The last night in residence is Tuesday, December 17, 2013. Students will be allowed to return to residence after the Winter Break at noon on Sunday, January 5, 2014. The only exceptions to this rule will be limited to students who satisfy the specific criteria noted below:

• international students with no means of getting home or securing alternate accommodation
• varsity team athletes are often required to be in residence for a team event such as a game or tournament.  If you hope to be on a varsity team, you should give serious consideration to applying for Winter Break stay.  If you do not do so now, you will not be able to stay in residence over the Winter Break.
• students who have an academic requirement that requires them to stay, e.g. pre-service education or graduate students

Indicating that you require accommodation in residence during part or all of the Winter Break will result in an assignment to Village Residence or Quarry View Residence. There will be an additional fee of $160 per week (or any part thereof) for those staying over the Winter Break. The Department of Residences will consider all requests in line with this Winter Break Policy. The Department reserves the right to deny an application to stay over the Winter Break.”

Only students who indicated their need to stay over the break during their on-line application for residence will be eligible to stay during the Winter Break period and will be contacted by the Department of Residences in November 2013.  Those who are granted permission by the Department of Residences to stay will be required to sign the Winter Break Agreement and the $160 per week (or any part thereof) fee for their required stay will be placed on their student account in January.   

It is highly unlikely that any student who did not indicate the need to stay over the break on their on-line residence application form, will be permitted to stay in residence over the Winter Break. Anyone wishing to appeal this decision should contact Cindy Chernish, Manager, Residence Facilities and Finance (cindy.chernish@brocku.ca) by no later than Thursday, November 28, 2013.