This month’s newsletter is packed with important updates and opportunities for all undergraduate students. Inside, you’ll find:

🍂 Thanksgiving Break – key dates and reminders

🏠 Housing Renewal – application details and upcoming timeline

Be sure to check out each section for full details and next steps.

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Thanksgiving Break is Wednesday, November, 26 through Sunday, November 30

Students are permitted to remain in their rooms throughout Thanksgiving Break. We do require to let us know that you're still here. If you will be here for Thanksgiving Break, please complete the form within the Housing Portal. You can find it under Request Forms.

Show off your creativity and style! Residential Life is hosting a Room Decorating Contest, and we want to see how you’ve made your space feel like home. Submit photos of your decorated room for a chance to win prizes and be featured in our newsletter and on social media. More details, including how to enter and the deadline for submissions, will be shared soon—so start getting your rooms picture-ready!

Students who want to move into the room of someone moving out at the end of the fall semester can do so by submitting the "Spring Room Takeover" request found under the Request Forms tab of the Housing Portal. Both the student requesting the room and the student currently in the room must enter the portal and follow the steps outlined before the request can be considered complete.

The Spring Room Takeover request form will remain open until December 3rd at 11:59PM. Submitting a request does not automatically approve you to change rooms. Students who submit a request will receive details regarding when and how to move into their new room.

The Housing Application for Rising Juniors & Seniors opens on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 9 a.m. 

For more information on Housing Renewal, click on the link below!

On Thursday, December 18 at 12:00PM (noon), all residence Halls and Apartments close for students not returning in the Spring. Students who will not be returning to Residential Life must be moved out by 11:59 AM on Thursday, December 18 at 12:00PM (noon). Please read this email in its entirety, as it will outline some specific instructions for you to follow as you prepare to leave your space.

More information regarding Winter Break housing procedures will be shared in the coming weeks.

Printing locations within Residential Life buildings have been condensed to a smaller number of central sites. These locations were selected based on printer usage and student demand, ensuring that printing resources are placed where they are used most often. Students can continue to send documents from their devices and pick them up at any of these designated residential printer stations, providing reliable and convenient access close to where you live.

More information on Residential Printing locations including how to submit issues involving printers can be found by clicking the button below.

Dining Services

View Campus Dining Hours

Information about dining hours and available services during break periods is available on the Dining Services website.

Bauer Brew by Kaldi’s Coming Soon to Bauer Hall
Get a caffeine boost at Bauer Brew! Discover why the new addition of Bauer Brew by Kaldi’s will become your go-to coffee companion soon. Stop by for a tasting: November 4 & 5, 18 & 19 and December 2 & 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Parking & Transportation

Store your vehicle on campus over the break!

Parking & Transportation offers vehicle storage during Thanksgiving and winter breaks. Learn more about the service on the Parking & Transportation website.

Mail & Receiving Services

Don’t delay, mail and ship today!

Mail & Receiving services recommends ordering packages early this holiday season in order to receive them before winter break. Use our Smart Ordering Tips to keep packages and residences safe. 

WashU Campus Store

Shop the Technology Holiday Sale in November!

Tech the Halls this holiday season, November 17–22 online and in-store at both Campus Bookstores! Enjoy 5% off Apple M5 devices, 10% off Apple M3 and M4 models, 10% off Dell and HP devices, and a $100 rebate on Dell devices priced $499 or higher and more!

Please avoid using magnetic card holders, sleeves, or phone cases for your WashU ID and Room Key Cards. The magnetic material can damage the technology in your cards, causing them to stop working and potentially locking you out of your room. To keep your cards working properly, store them in a non-magnetic holder or wallet. In the event that your WashU ID stops working on any Residential Life facility, stop by the nearest Residential Life office for assistance.

The Residential Life Center in Zetcher House

The Residential Life Office in Village House

If you find yourself locked out of your room, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. During business hours (8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday - Friday), please use the kiosks at your nearest Residential Life office to request assistance. If it’s after hours or on weekends, contact the Residential Life staff on duty for support.
You can reach them via phone at 314-935-5555.

Remember to always carry your WashU ID Card and Room Key to help avoid lockouts and ensure smooth access to your space.

Kiosks are located in the following locations:

The Residential Life Center in Zetcher House

The Residential Life Office in Village House

If you have an issue where you have your room key, but your lock does not work properly, please submit a Maintenance Request.

If you have any emergency maintenance need, please let your RA or RCD know. If you are unable to quickly find an RA or RCD, please call WashU Police at 314-935-5555.

Emergencies include things like overflowing water, leaks, lack of heating/AC, no power, or clogged drains.

For all other maintenance issues, please submit a Maintenance Request.