Closing and Checking Out Procedures for the
2011-2012 School Year

Thanksgiving Break

All residence halls will close at 12:00pm on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 for the Thanksgiving Break. All residents must make off-campus accommodations prior to this date. The halls will re-open for check-in at 9:00am on Sunday, November 27, 2011.

The dining halls will be closed after lunch on Wednesday, November 23rd and will re-open for brunch on November 27th.

All students are expected to follow the sign-out procedures established for their residence hall. A Residence Life & Housing staff member will inspect all rooms before students leave.

Failure to comply with the closing requests could result in judicial action and/or a charge to the student. 

Winter Break

Student housing contracts for all university residential areas with the exception of Spartan Suites officially end 24 hours after your last scheduled final examination. As examinations are completed, you are expected to depart within 24 hours after your last exam or by December 9, 2011 at 5:00pm, whichever comes first.

You must properly check out of your room at the end of each academic semester. Please review the information with your Residence Hall Coordinator and your RA to avoid any additional charges such as improper check-out or late check-out.

If you intend on residing on campus during the spring 2012 semester, you must complete your Intent to Return form during the Fall semester.

If you do not need housing or if you have not completed the Intent to Return form for spring 2012, you must remove all of your belongings before you leave for winter break. You must also follow the check out procedures listed on this page.

The residence halls will reopen for:

• First-time, and new transfer students – Wednesday January 4th at 8:00 am
• Returning students – Thursday, January 5th at 8:00 am

Spring Break

All residence halls will close at 5:00pm on Friday, March 2, 2012 for Spring Break. All residents must make off-campus accommodations prior to this date. The halls will re-open for check-in at 9am on Sunday, March 11, 2012.

The dining halls will be closed after lunch on Friday, March 2, 2012 and will re-open for brunch on March 11, 2012.

All students are expected to follow the sign-out procedures established for their residence hall. A Residence Life & Housing staff member will inspect all rooms before students leave.

Failure to comply with the closing requests could result in judicial action and/or a charge to the student.

Spring 2012 Closing and Check-Out

Student housing contracts for all university residential areas with the exception of Spartan Suites officially end 24 hours after your last scheduled final examination. As examinations are completed, you are expected to depart within 24 hours after your last exam or by May 4th, 2012 at 5:00pm, whichever comes first.

Graduating students, non-graduating students who are involved with the commencement ceremony, and those who are required to stay past exams are expected to depart by May 5th, 2012 12:00pm.

You must properly check out of your room at the end of the academic year. Please review the information with your Residence Hall Coordinator and your RA to avoid any additional charges such as improper check-out or late check-out.

Standard Check Out

This option provides you with the opportunity to be present during your check out inspection. You must first schedule your check out time with your RA. Once you are ready to check out, you and a Residence Life & Housing staff member inspect the room together. Based on the information listed on the Room Condition Report and subsequent room inspections for inventory purposes, they may determine that there are chargeable items that were not reviewed, noticed or documented by Residence Life & Housing staff members. Any discussion related to observable charges/damages will be noted and communicated at check out.

You will be responsible for any additional fees incurred due to missing or broken items. ALL keys must be returned to the front desk or to the person checking you out. Failure to return your key will result in a $20.00 charge to cover replacement key costs.

 Express Check-Out

This option provides flexibility and saves time during the busy end of the semester. It allows you to check out at any time, day or night, within 24 hours of your last exam. If you elect to do an Express Check-Out, please remember:

1. Your Residence Hall Coordinator, RA, GA or Residence Life staff member will inspect your room after your departure.
    
2. The Room Condition Report will be referred to during the Staff's inspection, comparing the condition of the room upon your arrival to its condition at the time the staff member is inspecting at the end of the year.
    
3. You will be responsible for any missing items of furniture, etc., damages over and above normal wear and tear, or necessary cleaning. If you have any concerns about damage responsibilities, it is recommended that you choose the Standard Check Out option.

Checklist for Vacating your Room (during Thanksgiving, Winter, & Spring Breaks)

	Set up a Check-Out time in advance with your RA; they will have schedules posted. Remember that they are students and have finals too. If your RA is not available at the Check-Out time you need, please schedule a time as close as possible to your departure time.
	Remove or secure all valuables.
	Sweep the floor. Do not sweep trash or place trash bags into hallways, breezeways, etc.
	Remove trash from room and common areas and take it to the dumpster and/or recycle bins. Failure to remove trash will result in a charge per student.
	Unplug and defrost refrigerator before you leave, (suggest students start this process at least 1 day before their departure just in case there is water from the freezer).
	Dispose of any perishable items.
	Take any items that you may need during the break because the halls will be closed and re-entry will not be granted until the posted advertised date of re-opening.
	Close and lock all windows, turn off lights, close and lock door to room and/or suite/apartment.
	Follow through with your Check-Out option. Complete necessary steps for check out and return paperwork promptly to the front desk or to the designated location.
	Keys are to be returned at check out and will be billed to you for $20.00 replacement costs if not returned or if lost. If you have lost your room/suite/apartment mail box key, please pay for the replacement prior to checking out. Contact the Office of Residence Life & Housing for details.

Check Out Procedures

Follow these procedures if you are moving out of your room during the middle or  at the end of the semester.

Failure to complete any of the checkout procedures will result in a fine

A charge will be made to each room occupant, or charge per suite if extraordinary cleaning is necessary at the end of the academic semester.

There is a $75 fee for utilizing residence halls as storage over the winter break and then moving out in January.
 
You will be charged accordingly for any broken furniture and for any missing items.

Billing for Damages

Damage charges will be added to your account in mid-December (fall check-outs) and mid-May (spring check-outs). The fees must be paid immediately.  An unpaid bill will keep you from receiving transcripts, getting a room assignment for the next semester, or prevent you from registering.) To minimize fines, please be sure that any damages, and the people responsible for damages, are identified before the end of the year.

If you want to receive your mail, you must leave a forwarding address with the University Mail Room before leaving for Winter Break.

We hope that you will enjoy your break. Please travel safely.

Tips for Stress-Free Closing

Added to the usual escalation of stress that comes with academic demands at the end of any academic year (or semester if you will not be returning), MOVING STRESS only complicates matters. One way of minimizing the non-academic stress is to do as much as you can (as early as possible) to pack belongings that you will not need for the remaining few weeks of school.

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