Actions Required to Prepare for Winter Break

If You’re Staying Over Winter Break 

• A resident may sign in no more than one guest at a time during break. Guests can be signed in at the front desk of your residence hall and must always be escorted.  
• Maintenance and custodial services will continue but on a more limited schedule.  

• The Hartley Hospitality Desk will offer in-person support from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For after-hours assistance, please call 212-854-2779 or email [email protected].  
• In case of an emergency, call Public Safety at 212-854-5555. 
• Campus resources may have adjusted operating hours or services over break. Notably, Columbia Dining will offer limited service to Dining Plan Holders at Faculty House. 

If You’re Leaving for any Portion of Winter Break 

Please complete the steps outlined on our website to secure your room prior to your departure.  

If there is a vacancy in your room space, a resident may be assigned to the space over break. Please clear any items from the second set of furniture and move your belongings to one side of the room. This will minimize any inconvenience in the event that an incoming resident is assigned to your room. 

If You’re Not Returning for the Spring Semester 

Students who are not returning in the spring due to study abroad, graduation, moving off-campus, etc., must do the following: 

• Check-out online using the Housing Portal Web Check-out.  

• Hartley and Woodbridge residents with non-electronic room access must return their keys to the Hospitality Desk.  

• Students with electronic access should keep their Columbia University ID. 

• Cancel Spring Housing via the Cancellation step in the Housing Portal by December 6. Failure to cancel your housing will result in charges for the spring semester. 
• Depart 24 hours following last final exam or by noon on Friday, December 23. 

Reminder: Requests for Room Swap 

Students who wish to complete a room swap must contact Housing to initiate the process by December 6. Requests received after December 6 will need to be resubmitted at the start of spring semester as part of the spring room transfer request process through your Residential Hall Director. Room availability may be limited at that point. Learn more about room swaps.  

Looking Ahead: Spring Check-Out is May 13 

Non-seniors must check out within 24 hours of their last final exam or by 12 p.m. on May 13, whichever is sooner. Graduating seniors must check out by 12 p.m. on May 18. Check-out extensions beyond May 13 for non-seniors and beyond May 18 for seniors will not be granted for any reason. Please plan accordingly.