Residences will be closed and not accessible during the Winter Break, Friday, December 20, 2024 at 12 noon – Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 12 noon.
Winter Break Policy
As stated in the Residence Agreement residents are required to vacate their rooms the following day after their last exam by noon. During the winter Break (Dec. 20 at noon until Jan. 5 at noon) no dining halls, service desks, custodial services, maintenance, or other services are provided, and there is no access to the residence buildings. Only students who indicated their need to stay over the break on their online application for residence, and who are granted permission by Housing Services will be permitted to stay over the Winter Break. Please refer to our Winter Break closure page for more information
Vacating your residence room
Students must vacate their room by noon on the day following their last December examination. As residences will be closed at 12 noon on Friday, December 20, 2024, any extensions that may be granted will not be beyond December 20, 2024 at 12 noon.
- For students who live more than six hours away, extensions of up to four hours may be granted.
- For students who have a varsity team requirement, or an international flight home that was booked prior to knowing the exam schedule, an extended stay will be considered.
- For Graduate students and/or students who have an academic requirements not listed in the exam timetable [i.e. take-home exam, exams facilitated by SAS]. An extended stay will be considered once documentation has been provided clearly outlining the needs related to the academic requirements.
If any situation applies to you, a request for an extended stay must be completed online and submitted along with the required documentation by 11:59 p.m. on November 30. This form can be completed online through my.brocku.ca. Simply go to the residence hub page (where you applied for residence) after November 1, and click Request an Extended Stay. For more information go to the Extended Stay in Residence page. Students who do not submit a form by November 30 may still submit a request but they will be subject to a $50 administrative fee and the request may not be granted.
Exam quiet hours
Beginning at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, quiet hours are extended to 22 hours daily with only designated hours for quiet activities: Sunday through Friday, 7-9 p.m. and Saturday, 9-11 p.m. During these hours, noise should not be excessive. Restrictions are posted in each residence. Please respect your fellow residents studying for exams.
No Guest Policy applies during the exam period
Please refer to the residence no guest during exams policy in the Residence Community Standards.
Townhouse/Suite unit inspections
Currently, during the week of November 25 to November 29, 2024 there is a second round of townhouse inspections. The staff from Housing Services will be entering each townhouse/suite unit to conduct visual inspection for damages and to assess the state of cleanliness and repair of the unit/rooms. If issues are found, there are financial consequences and potential sanctions. The occupant(s) of the room/unit will be given 7 to 10 days to remedy the situation. A re-inspection will occur 7 to 10 days following the initial inspection, and if unacceptable conditions still exist, University custodial staff will clean at the expense of the occupant(s).
Please refer to the residence cleanliness standards, which outline the financial consequences and sanctions for failing an inspection.
If damages are found, the individual(s) must pay the cost of repairs, which will occur following exams. Students are individually responsible for their own room and jointly responsible for unit and/or common area damage.
Housing Services closure
Residence buildings
Closed: Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 at noon until Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 at noon.
Offices
Housing Services offices will close at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 and reopen on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.
North Service Desk – DeCew Residence lobby, x 3706
The North Service Desk will close at 12 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 and reopen at noon on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
East Service Desk – Residence 8 lobby, x 3220
The East Service Desk will close at 12 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 and reopen at noon on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
South Service Desk – Lowenberger Residence lobby, x 4311
The South Service Desk will close at 12 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 and reopen at noon on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
Residence access during the Winter Break
Please note the residence buildings will not be accessible during this time, Student cards (swipe cards) and keys will not allow entry into the residence buildings/units over the Winter Break. Student cards (swipe cards) and keys will allow re-entry to the residence buildings/units on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 starting at 12pm(noon).
Campus access during the Winter Break
Please note that access to campus is limited during the Winter Break. Details will be posted on the Brock University home page closer to the end of the term.
Brock Dining Services
During exams, refer to the hours of operations for Dining Services. Hours will be adjusted to accommodate for exams. In January, the dining halls will be re-open Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
Leaving your bedroom/unit for the Winter Break
During the winter break you are not required to remove your personal belongings from your bedroom/unit. Please note that valuables left behind are done so at your own risk as the University is not responsible for personal property.
The residence buildings will be closed for more than a week. During this time, we will attempt to conserve energy because the buildings will be empty. To help protect your personal belongings and your room/unit, please ensure the following is done before you leave:
- If you have a thermostat in your room/unit, please turn it down to 60°F (16°C). For townhouses ….. Do not turn off the furnace. Leave it set to heat mode and the fan in auto mode.
- Close and lock all windows;
- Close all blinds/drapes;
- Unplug all electrical devices, including computers, hair dryers, curling irons/straighteners, holiday lights;
- For fridges and freezers:
- Personal fridges: Remove all items from your personal fridge, clean it, unplug it (shut it off), and leave the door open.
- Brock-supplied fridge/freezer in Quarry View and Village. Remove all perishable items from the fridge. Leave frozen items in the freezer and leave the unit on with the doors firmly closed. We will be opening your fridge to ensure perishable items have been removed.
- Personal freezers in Quarry View and Village: Leave frozen items in the freezer. Leave the unit on with the lid firmly closed
- Remove all garbage and recycling and dispose of it into the proper garbage room bins or outside bins;
- Turn off/unplug clock radios/alarms;
- Pack your passport if you are planning to travel;
- Pack any medications you might need while home for the break;
- Turn off all lights; Lock your door (bedroom and unit) when you leave;
- Take your keys/student card home with you and remember to bring them back so you can get into your bedroom/unit when you return.
End of term unit/room checks
Please note that we will be entering all rooms/units to ensure the precautions above have been taken.
While in the room/unit, staff will conduct a visual inspection for damages and assess the state of cleanliness and repair of the rooms/units. If issues are found, University custodial staff will be sent to clean immediately, at the expense of the occupant(s). The usual period allowing occupants to remedy the situation does not pertain here because the clean-up can’t be left over the break.
Please refer to the residence cleanliness policy that outlines the financial consequences and sanctions assessed for unacceptable conditions of cleanliness.
If damages are found, the individual(s) will be held accountable for the cost of the repairs, which will be scheduled during or after the break period. Students are individually responsible for their own room and jointly responsible for unit and/or common area damage.
Moving out and not returning for 2nd term
If you are moving out at the end of the Fall Term, you need to notify Housing Services Admissions by completing the Early Withdrawal Request on the residence hub page (where you applied for residence). Fees associated with early departure from residence can be found in our early withdrawal from residence policy. Students moving out are reminded they should follow the steps outlined in our instructions for vacating a residence room. The guidelines for a December departure are the same as for April departures and are set out in the sections below called “What do I need to do in my room/unit before I move out?” and “Before checking out, please ensure that…”. Remember that failure to hand in keys and/or zippered mattress protector will result in a charge on your student account.
Housing Services does not consider you as moved out until your keys have been handed in at your Service Desk and your key card signed for check-out.
Good luck with your exams
All the best to everyone for a safe and happy Winter Break. For those returning for the Winter term, we look forward to having you back with us in January 2025. For those moving on, all the best in your future endeavours!
