Winter Closure 2025 | Residential Living

Winter Closure Dates

Winter closure is almost here! We hope you enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation during this time. Please carefully review all information below to make sure you are prepared.

Key Dates

Residence halls close: Saturday, December 13 at Noon.

Residence halls reopen: Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 9 a.m.

Winter Closure Petition due: Monday, December 8 at 4 p.m.

Leaving for Winter Closure

All students must vacate their rooms and complete all departure procedures by Saturday, December 13 at Noon. If you are returning to campus for Spring 2026, you may leave your belongings in your room during the closure period.

Students may not stay in the residence halls during Winter Closure. Residence hall operations are closed during this period. Generally, students are not permitted to stay during the closure, but if you need to remain on campus for an MTU-related reason, or qualify for an extenuating circumstance, you must complete the Winter Closure Petition by Monday, December 8 at 4 p.m.

Note:

Approved petitions are subject to a $30 daily rate for housing.
Late requests may be denied or processed after the semester ends.
Campus services, including mail, dining, front desks, are very limited during the closure and are generally unavailable.

Winter Closure Petition

Winter Closure Departure Checklist

Before leaving for the closure, make sure you:

Remove all trash, recycling, and perishable food from your room.
Do not leave food in the community kitchenettes (they will be cleaned during the closure).
Turn on the heat to prevent pipes from freezing.
Unplug all electrical items and defrost your refrigerator at least 24 hours before departure.
Close and lock your window; leave the blinds open.
Turn off lights and lock your door.

Residence Education and Facilities Management staff will enter rooms to conduct safety checks and perform maintenance.

Winter Closure Checklist

Parking during closure

If you don’t use your vehicle regularly, we recommend leaving it at home.

Parking lots narrow in winter due to snow removal.
If you no longer need your permit, return it to Transportation Services before January 1 for a partial refund.

If you must leave your vehicle on campus:

Move to Lot 26 (Commuter Lot via Garnet Street)

Move between Friday, December 12 at 4 p.m and Sunday, December 14 at 10 p.m.
If you need your car earlier or regularly, contact Transportation Services for alternate arrangements.
If Lot 26 is full, you may park in Lower Lot 21 (near the guardrail of Lot 26).

Move back to your assigned lot:

Between Saturday, January 3 at 9 a.m. and Sunday, January 4 at 11 p.m.
Vehicles not moved by Monday, January 5 will be cited.

If you need motorist assistance, such as help with a dead car battery, flat tire, or your vehicle is stuck, please contact the Transportation Services office at 906-487-1441 Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For after hours assistance, please call Public Safety and Police Services at 906-487-2216.

On-Campus Dining During the Closure

Dining halls will close at the following times:

Food Hall at DHH: Closed starting Wednesday, December 10. Reopens Monday, January 5 for breakfast
Eatery at McNair: Closed starting Friday, December 12. Reopens Sunday, January 4 at 4:30 p.m.
Social Hall at Wadsworth: Closes after dinner on Friday, December 12 at 6:30 p.m. Reopens Sunday, January 4 at 4:30 p.m.

For retail dining hours and menus, visit dineoncampus.com/mtu

Additional Information

Quiet Hours

22-hour quiet hours begin Friday, December 5 at 11:59 p.m. and continue through Friday, December 12 at Noon.
Consideration hours: Noon-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. Please limit noise to these times, including vacuuming or moving items.

Ask your RA for more details.

Permanent Check Out

If you are not be returning for spring semester:

Contact your RA for check-out instructions.
Return your Blue Key Return Envelope and keys to your Reception Desk after check-out
Complete your check-out by Saturday, December 13 at Noon.

If you can’t meet the check-out deadline, please contact your RA and submit a Winter Closure Petition for a late departure.

Improper check-out may result in fees for:

Improper or late departure
Core change
Additional room and board charges

Mail forwarding: Update your Address Link in Experience (see My Account card).

Hillside Only

Return your Signed Checkout Form to the McNair Reception Desk or place it in the misaddressed mail slot at Hillside Place mailboxes.

Decorations

Candles and flammable decorations are not permitted.
Remove all holiday decorations by Saturday, December 13 at Noon.

Unsure if your decorations are safe? Ask your RA.

Empty Space in Your Room?

If you have an open bed space, a new roommate may be assigned for spring semester. Students are expected to make sure their property is not occupying a vacant bed.

Before you leave:

Clear half of the room for your new roommate.
Check HuskyHouse for your new roommate’s information.
If you do not clear the space, you will be charged $100.

Facilities staff will clean empty spaces during the closure.

Hillside Only

If your apartment is single-gender, you may be assigned a new roommate.
If your apartment is mixed-gender, please contact Residential Living at 906-487-2682 for additional instructions.

Community Damage

If your house or floor incurred community damage charges:
You will be billed for your portion and notified of your balance.
Fees under $1.00 per person will carry forward to spring; if still under $1.00 at the end of spring semester, charges will be canceled.
Pay your damage fee at your Reception Desk by Thursday, December 11.

Unpaid fees will appear on your University bill (minimum $5.00 charge).

Bringing a Car Back?

If you are bringing a vehicle to campus for the first time, register it online here or visit Transportation Services in person. Bring your photo ID and vehicle registration.

Aquariums and Plants

Staff cannot feed fish or water plants during closure. Use a vacation feeder and water your plants thoroughly before leaving.

Front Desk Services

All Front Desks close Saturday, December 13 at Noon.
No mail service during closure. All mail and packages will be held.
Outgoing mail will not be accepted after Wednesday, December 10.
All check-out items must be returned by Thursday, December 11 at 8 p.m.

Maintenance Inspection

Residence Education staff will enter rooms during closure to:

Confirm windows are closed
Ensure electronics are unplugged
Identify any health or safety issues

If any concerns are found, a policy violation form will be left, and your REC will follow up in January.