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Cornell University

Housing & Residential Life

Winter Break Housing 

Winter Break Housing

Students wishing to remain on campus for Winter Break may apply to do so. There are several buildings that offer these accommodations, each with its own unique circumstances.  

Ganędagǫ: Hall, High Rise 5, Holland International Living Center, Hu Shih Hall, Loving House, Mews Hall, Toni Morrison Hall, Townhouse Apartments, Cascadilla Hall and Veterans House will be open over Winter Break. 

  • Residents of Holland International Living Center and Loving House may stay in their current room at no additional cost, thanks to the generosity of individual gifts to those communities.
  • Residents of Veterans House may stay in their current room at no additional cost, as it is a 12-month license.
  • Residents of Ganędagǫ: Hall, High Rise 5, Hu Shih Hall, Mews Hall, Toni Morrison Hall and Townhouse Apartments may stay in their current rooms at an additional cost. 

*To be eligible for Winter Break housing, you must be returning as a student to on-campus housing for spring semester. 

How to Apply for Winter Break Housing

  • To apply for Winter Break housing, please complete a Winter Break housing application via the housing portal. 
  • The application will be available starting October, and must be completed by early December.
  • If you are already a resident of one of the designated communities for Winter Break housing and plan on staying over the Winter Break, you will still need to submit a Winter Break housing application via the housing portal and pay the designated fee (unless otherwise noted above), so we are aware of your plans for Winter Break.
  • If you are not a member of one of the communities listed and would like to apply for Winter Break housing, you may do so. However, note that housing is limited to the temporary shared lounge spaces in High Rise #5.
  • Please note that there is a flat fee for Winter Break housing, and it cannot be prorated based on varying arrival and departure dates.

New students, if you are applying for housing for the upcoming academic year and plan to stay on campus during Winter Break, please select a “with Winter Break Housing” option on your housing application and the housing team will work to assign you to one of these buildings to accommodate your need for Winter Break housing.   

Cornell Dining

Fall meal plans end with the close of the fall semester, and they cannot be carried into Winter Break. During Winter Break students will be able to eat at open dining rooms or retail locations using their BRBs.  

Cornell Dining traditionally closes all operations during the week of Winter Break when the University is closed, during which time students may use their City Bucks to order from local establishments that are open.

For a list of open eateries across campus, please check Cornell Dining Now.

Mail and Packages

All mail and packages are delivered to the North Campus Service Center in the Robert Purcell Community Center during Winter Break. Hours will be limited, and it will often be closed. You will not be able to pick up mail or packages when the Service Center is closed. 

Check the North Campus Service Center web page for the latest hours.