Winter Break Emergency Housing
Emergency Winter Break Housing
The College is generally not able to provide housing to students over the winter break period unless there are significant extenuating circumstances that prevent a student from safely leaving campus. Typically ALL residential students are expected to depart campus when the residence halls are closed.
All residence halls close for the Fall 2025 semester at 6:00pm on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
All residence halls open for the Spring 2026 semester at 9:00am on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Application Process
Students who believe they qualify for Emergency Winter Break Housing must formally apply no later than 5:00pm on Monday, December 1st, 2025.
Emergency Winter Break Housing is limited and may only be available to students who meet certain eligibility requirements. If you believe that you meet the Emergency Winter Break Housing eligibility requirements, you must apply for winter break housing and be approved by the Division of Student Affairs. To begin the process you should complete this form no later than Monday, December 1st by 5:00pm. After completing the form, if this is your first time requesting break housing, you should be in contact with your Student Dean to discuss your circumstances and what assistance options may be available. Students who have been approved for winter break housing in 2023 or 2024 will only need to complete the request form.
Eligibility
Students must meet a number of eligibility requirements in order to apply for Emergency Winter Break Housing. Students who are not eligible for housing should be in conversation with their assigned Student Dean to discuss. (You can find your assigned dean by checking the “Degree Audit” in mySwarthmore.)
1. Must be an actively-enrolled and current on-campus residential student for both the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters. Students participating in off-campus study, those who live in off-campus housing, and/or students who are on a leave of absence in the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 are generally not eligible for Emergency Winter Break Housing.
2. Must have a demonstrated need or extenuating circumstance that prevents the student from safely leaving campus. Examples of demonstrated need or extenuating circumstances may include lack of a permanent home address. Cost of domestic travel and/or conflict with official move-in and move-out dates are generally not considered extenuating circumstances.
3. Students who have had any previous conduct violations or residential life policy violations during a previous Emergency Winter Break or Summer Break Housing period may be restricted.
Location
If approved for Emergency Winter Break Housing, you may be required to relocate to a different residential building for all or part of the winter break. Depending on your Fall housing assignment and/or scheduled maintenance, you may be required to move more than once. Decisions about which residence halls are used for winter break are made depending on the number of students approved to stay on campus and/or as a result of other facilities needs. We will do our best to minimize moves but must make occupancy decisions based on what is safest for the number of residential students on campus at any one time. Students must agree to move on the dates outlined by the Housing Office and are expected to be active participants in the housing assignment process.
If you live in a residence hall that is open for winter break you may be asked to host a roommate who is also approved for Emergency Winter Break Housing. If you live in a residence hall that is closed for winter break you may be required to live in an occupied student's room. As the College remains at nearly 100% occupancy for the Fall and Spring terms, there is not a bank of vacant rooms for winter break residents to be reassigned to. In order to accommodate the needs of all students, we ask for your flexibility and understanding regarding these requirements.
Health, Safety, and Community Expectations
Students are expected to abide by all College policies and procedures during the winter break period, and must attend a mandatory orientation session in December. Additional housing expectations, including a no overnight guest policy and remaining substance-free, are in place during winter break and will be reviewed during the orientation meeting.
Campus Services
Access to resources and support during the winter break period are limited and subject to staffing availability.
The College is closed for all students, staff, and faculty Saturday, December 20, 2025 through Monday, January 5, 2026. Students should expect that all College buildings, offices, and departments (including Dining) will be closed during that time. Public Safety and limited EVS/Maintenance services may be available.
Limited staff will be on campus between January 5, 2026 and January 17, and access to College services (including Dining) may continue to be significantly reduced during that time.
Limited Environmental Services (custodial) and Emergency Maintenance services will be available in order to maintain shared facilities but will not follow the regular schedule for dorm services.
