Please note that the undergraduate residential areas on campus will be closed during breaks. Academic classes and coursework will still be conducted as scheduled by the respective instructors. It is essential to understand that a residential closing does not excuse missing class.
Late Departure
If you need to arrive on campus early or leave campus late during breaks, apply for permission through the Housing Portal.
Undergraduate students will be provided instructions and dates for completing the early arrival/late departure application before each break. Approved requests to arrive early and/or late departure may result in a daily rate being assessed to your student account.
Undergraduate international students can remain in campus housing for all breaks (Fall, Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring) only after submitting a late departure, early arrival, or stay request application prior to the established deadline.
All students remaining on campus during Thanksgiving, Winter, and Summer breaks will need to complete a late departure or stay application on the Housing Portal and will be responsible for the associated fees.
For summer break students who wish to reside on campus must complete the summer housing application and will be responsible for summer housing fees.
Early Arrivals
What’s more exciting than the beginning of the fall semester? Many of you are already preparing for August and gearing up to return early for student groups, athletics, and/or organizational training.
To ensure you are on the approved list to return early, please check your email for a message from our office indicating the earliest date you are permitted to check in and the process to follow.
If you have not received an email confirmation by late July stating the earliest date you may return, please get in touch with your coach, supervisor, or advisor to ensure that your group is registered to return early. Once completed and approved, you will receive email notification.
Important Arrival Dates:
- Aug. 12: Returning students, Fall athletes, new international students, and Westover Honors students
- Aug. 13: Returning students, new students (first year and transfer), and new international students
- Aug 14. Returning students and new students (first year and transfer)
- Aug. 17: All remaining students who have not yet arrived
Break Information
Fall Break
Fall Break is scheduled for Oct. 8-11, 2026.
Students can remain in on-campus residential facilities during this break period. Emails will go out with the Fall Break Application link for students to indicate they will be staying on campus. There is no charge to remain in campus housing during part or all of this break period. Students who depart the campus should secure their personal belongings by locking their room doors and, if applicable, their vehicles. Campus Safety and Security staff will conduct periodic rounds during the break. University offices will be open on Thursday, Oct. 8, and Friday, Oct. 9.
Meal plans are suspended during the break period. Available dining options will be communicated via Dining Services.
Details regarding Fall Break closing will be communicated to students in mid-September.
Thanksgiving Break
Thanksgiving Break is scheduled for Nov. 23-29, 2026.
Undergraduate residential facilities:
| Close | Friday, Nov. 20, 2026 @ 9 p.m |
| Open | Sunday, Nov. 29, 2026 @ 10 a.m. |
Students are not permitted to remain on campus during Thanksgiving Break without prior authorization. Students who must remain on campus after Nov. 20 must complete a late stay application through their Housing Portal. The application will be available for completion from Oct. 26 to Nov. 15, 2026.
Meal plans are not offered during Thanksgiving Break. Dining options will not be available on campus unless otherwise communicated.
Details regarding Fall Break closing will be communicated to students in October.
Winter Break
For exam purposes, 24-hour quiet hours will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, 2026.
Undergraduate residential facilities:
| Close | Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026 @ 9 p.m. |
| Open | Thursday, Jan. 7, 2027 @ 10 a.m. |
Students are not permitted to remain on campus during Winter Break without prior authorization. Students who must rStudents are not permitted to remain on campus during Winter Break without prior authorization. Students who must remain on campus after Dec. 12 must complete a late stay application through their Housing Portal. The application will be available for completion from Nov. 16 to Dec 6, 2026.
An early arrival application will be available on the Housing Portal for students who need to arrive on campus earlier than Jan. 7, 2026. The application will be available for completion from Dec. 15, 2025, to Jan. 4, 2026.
Details regarding Winter Break closing will be communicated to students in early December.
Before leaving for Winter Break, please do the following:
Non-returning Students
If you are not returning to the University of Lynchburg for the spring semester, you must remove all items from your room/residence before departing. Students not returning for the Spring semester must:
- Depart by no later than Dec. 12, 2026, at 9 p.m.
- Turn your key(s) into the Office of Campus Safety and Security upon vacating your residence.
- Failure to turn in keys will incur a $150 charge per key.
Winter Break Checklist
- Unplug all appliances except for aquariums (please use long-term feeders).
- All refrigerators must be emptied, unplugged, and left open. (excluding Southside kitchens)
- Dispose of any perishable items.
- Empty all trash cans.
- Ensure the residence is generally clean.
- Close and lock all windows.
- Pull the blinds down and close them.
- Turn the HVAC/thermostat on low and cool (keep fans running).
- Turn off the lights.
- Close and lock all doors.
Note: Failure to complete all of the above will result in fines and possible sanctions. The Office of Campus Safety and Security will conduct rounds and periodic safety checks throughout the break period.
Spring Break
Spring Break is scheduled for March 1-7, 2027.
Students can remain in on-campus residential facilities during this break period and do not need to complete a late stay application. There is no charge to remain in campus housing during part or all of the break period. Students who depart the campus should secure their personal belongings by locking their room doors and, if applicable, their vehicles. Campus Safety and Security staff will conduct periodic rounds during the break. Details regarding Spring Break closing will be communicated to students in late February.
Meal plans are not offered during Spring Break. Dining options will not be available on campus unless otherwise communicated.
Year-end Closing Information
For exam purposes, 24-hour quiet hours will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Undergraduate residential students must vacate their rooms 24 hours after their last exam or by the deadline below, whichever is sooner:
- May 10: The deadline for registering for summer housing through the Housing Portal.
- May 3: Last day for residential students to apply to stay late through the Housing Portal.
- May 6: University housing closes for all undergraduate students at 10 a.m. Any resident must be pre-approved by the Office of Residential Experience to stay after 10 a.m.
- May 8: All undergraduate University housing closes by 10 a.m. Graduating seniors must depart by 10 a.m.
Commencement Exercises
Graduating seniors and students who are pre-approved to assist with the commencement exercises (marshals, flag bearers, choir, band, etc.) will be approved to stay in their campus residence until 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Friday, May 8, 2026. Sponsoring offices and departments will provide lists of these students’ names.
Extenuating circumstances
Students with extenuating circumstances may be permitted to remain in their on-campus residence beyond their assigned move-out date. These requests must reflect truly extenuating situations.
Move Out Guide
To ensure a smooth departure from the University of Lynchburg and avoid unnecessary charges, please follow this streamlined guide to the move-out process.
Check-out Process
You have two options for your final departure.
Standard checkout
Students are encouraged to schedule a closing walkthrough with their community assistant to review the condition of their room and discuss any possible damages.
Express checkout
Students may depart on their own schedule without meeting with staff. If damages are noted, charges may apply.
Final inspection
Facilities Management will conduct the final walkthrough, complete inspection reports, and handle all damage billing.
Important Key Return Information
All keys must be returned to Campus Safety and Security, located on the lower level of Carnegie Hall, using the provided check-out envelopes.
Please note:
- Reporting a lost key before move-out: $75 replacement fee
- Keys not returned at departure: $150 charge
Predeparture Checklist
Rooms must be returned to their original condition: clean, orderly, and completely empty.
All University-provided bed furniture must be present, properly assembled, and returned to its original setup. If beds were lofted or bunked during the academic year, they must be returned to their original position before checkout. Failure to do so may result in fees.
1. Clear the Space
Remove all belongings
Remove all personal items, furniture, and personal refrigerators. Items left behind may result in removal fees.
Remove trash
Place all trash in bags and dispose of it in designated residence hall locations or campus dumpsters. Do not leave trash in hallways or common areas.
Clean appliances
Completely empty and wipe down refrigerators.
2. Complete Detailed Cleaning
Floors
Sweep or vacuum thoroughly. Do not sweep debris into hallways.
Walls and doors
Remove all tape, glow-in-the-dark stars, stickers, staples, and posters. Clean any marks or writing from surfaces.
Command strips
Remove carefully. Peeled paint or wall damage may result in repair charges.
Storage areas
Empty and clean all closets and drawers. Ensure closet doors are properly rehung if they were removed.
Windows
Remove decals, close windows fully, and lock them.
3. Clean Kitchens and Bathrooms
For Southside and Westover residents, kitchens and bathrooms are the most common sources of cleaning fines. Residents must:
- Scrub and mop all hard surfaces
- Clean toilets, showers, and sinks thoroughly
- Wipe down all countertops and cabinets
Avoid Common Fines and Damage Charges
The following issues frequently result in charges to student accounts.
Improper checkout
Remaining in the room beyond the approved move-out timeline.
Adhesive damage
Residue or wall damage from tape, posters, or Command strips.
Abandoned items
Leaving rugs, couches, lofts, or other items behind.
Structural damage
Dart holes, cracked mirrors or windows, broken blinds, and holes in molding or walls.
Utility damage
Damaged or missing phone/internet jacks, door locks, or towel racks.
Furniture issues
Missing or damaged University-provided furniture, including beds and desks.
For questions or concerns, contact Facilities Management at [email protected]
Remember: You must check out, be quiet, and return the room to its original state — clean and orderly. If you have any questions, please speak with your Community Assistant.
Students are encouraged to schedule a closing walkthrough with their respective CA before departure to assess the room condition and any possible damages. Students may complete a standard checkout with their CA or opt for an express checkout and depart without meeting with a housing staff member.
Avoid Fines and Sanctions
Below are some common reasons for fines. To avoid penalties, make sure that you do the following:
- Clean, scrub, mop, and vacuum: crucial. Be sure to clean the entire room or Southside residence. If you live in Southside, Hundley Hall, or Westover Hall, please clean the bathrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. Students are often charged because these areas are dirty.
- Remove belongings: Students often leave behind items they no longer want. Charges will apply to items left behind.
- Remove adhesive tape (e.g., glow-in-the-dark stars): It takes a significant amount of time for physical plant staff to remove the tape before painting preparation.
- Take care when removing command strips from walls. Any damage left after removal will result in damage charges.
- Empty refrigerators: Throw out all food before moving out.
- Remove personal furniture and refrigerators: Discard any personal furniture or refrigerators, or take them home. Again, charges will be assessed for items that are left behind.
- Empty ALL trash: This is very often billed. Take the time to empty the garbage in your bedroom, kitchen, and/or bathroom into the designated areas.
- Vacate on time: Move out of your residence in accordance with the timeline provided by the Office of Residential Experience. If you need to stay late, you must complete a Late Stay Request Form and be pre-approved.
- Return your keys(s): You must return ALL keys to Campus Safety and Security (first floor, Hall Campus Center) using a check-out envelope available there. Note: It is cheaper to report a lost key now ($75) than to pay for a key not returned upon departure ($150).
Cleaning Recommendations
To avoid a cleaning charge after check-out, please leave your room in the following condition:
- Furnishings: Empty and clean all closets and drawers. Rehang all closet doors.
- Floors: Sweep or vacuum your room. Do not sweep anything into the hallway.
- Hallways: Don’t place trash, wood, or furniture in hallways or common areas.
- Walls: Remove all posters, nails, and tape. Clean any marks off the walls.
- Doors: Remove all stickers, inside and out. Remove tape and staples and clean off all writing/marks.
- Windows: Close and lock windows. Remove all stickers and marks.
Some conditions which may result in assessment for damages include, but are not limited to:
- Writing on doors.
- Unattached/missing closet doors.
- Dart holes anywhere.
- Burn marks on desks, doors, mattresses, and/or carpet.
- Holes in the walls, doors, or molding strips.
- Cracked windows or mirrors.
- Damaged or missing phone jack, door lock, towel rack, or internet jack.
- Failure to remove items, such as couches, rugs, or lofts.
- Stickers/decals/tape on windows, doors, walls, or mirrors.
- Discarding trash or furniture in hallways or common areas.
- Missing or damaged beds or furniture.
