12/11/2025
By Brian Arrigo

The 2025–2026 winter intersession will begin at the close of business on Friday, Dec. 19. As part of the university’s annual sustainability initiatives and ongoing efforts to achieve cost savings between the fall and spring semesters, the following operational adjustments will be in place:

Operational Schedule

  • Saturday, Dec. 20 – Sunday, Jan. 4: Only activities critical to university operations or essential to supporting student success, recruitment and retention will remain active on campus. Managers will coordinate all other functions with their staff as noted below.
  • Monday, Jan. 5: Graduate, Online and Professional Studies (GPS) and in-person health counseling services will resume.
  • Wednesday, Jan. 7: Full campus operations will resume in preparation for a successful and vibrant start to the spring semester.

Staffing and Remote Work

Managers should work with staff who are not required to be on campus during the break to identify remote work opportunities for the business days between the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Supervisors are encouraged to maximize the use of available vacation leave in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and personnel policies.

Employees who are approved to work on campus, but whose building is listed as unoccupied on the Winter Intersession 2025-26 Buildings spreadsheet, should coordinate with department heads to temporarily relocate to available operational space. Employees with accommodation-related concerns should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Outreach.

Facilities and Building Access

During intersession, building temperatures will be adjusted in alignment with planned operational schedules and sustainability goals. All campus buildings will be secured and require card access. Please refer to the Winter Intersession 2025-26 Buildings Spreadsheet.

  • Unoccupied (U): Building secured with card access required for entry. Temperatures reduced. Administrative activities occur remotely as managed by department leadership.
  • Occupied (O): Building remains open for normal business functions and temperatures. This includes all residential halls.
  • Partial (P): Building is partially open with adjusted hours and temperatures to match operations. Building secured with card access required for entry during unoccupied periods.
  • Research Only (RO): Scheduled research areas remain in occupied mode with normal temperatures. All other areas of the building secured with card access required for entry.

Residence halls will remain open; however, access is limited to students who have been approved for winter break housing.

Spaces designated as non-operational during intersession will be set to 60°F and will follow reduced ventilation strategies.

Before Leaving for Break

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to complete the following steps before departing campus:

  • Close all windows
  • Turn off all lights
  • Ensure heaters are powered down
  • Spot-check room temperatures
  • Unplug unused electrical devices
  • Close sashes on unused fume hoods