Cooper Miller
Contributing Writer
Thanksgiving break is approaching, and that means that both the residence halls and the time for students to make arrangements are nearing their end.
Residence halls close for Thanksgiving break at 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25. This allows students to gather any belongings they may need over the weekend, in addition to the following Monday, and to move out of their respective dorm rooms.
For students who live on campus, failing to plan in advance or having last-minute problems regarding transportation can be a major issue. So, if something like that happens, then where do they go?
Thankfully, the university has many resources for students who are asking themselves this very question.
Students who have found themselves in a situation where they are unable to go home or can’t afford to stay on campus during break have the ability to reach out to ESU’s support offices for help. For example, the Residential Life & Housing office can be contacted to inquire about break housing options.
Students can also submit a CARE Referral, email care@esu.edu; call 211 or visit 211.org; or download the FindingYourWayinPA.com app for additional resources.
“ESU’s CARE Program helps students experiencing housing and/or food insecurity connect with resources. In short: don’t wait! Contact Residential Life & Housing and/or the CARE Program as early as possible and explain your situation so they can explore emergency,” says the University.
International students, in-season student athletes, or student teachers required to teach locally have the ability to stay, if needed, with conditions
International students need to have their names confirmed by the Registrar’s office, in-season student athletes need their names approved by Athletics, and student teachers need their names confirmed by the College of Education.
Other exceptions may extend to students who have obligations to work on campus, and students whose homes are 60 to 150 miles away from campus.
The deadline to apply is Nov. 18. Any late requests will be faced with a $150 fee. A $150 fee will also extend to students found in residence halls after closing or before opening.
Why do residence halls close down, anyway?
“They are not considered permanent housing, and break housing is not guaranteed. Additionally, Thanksgiving is a national holiday. We want students to take a break from campus before finals to enjoy time with friends and family, and allow our staff to do the same,” says the University.
For students who have a plan and are ready to leave, it’s requested that they close and lock their doors, turn off their lights, take any garbage to the trash room or dumpster and notify their resident advisor of their departure.
Typing Thanksgiving into the search bar on ESU’s homepage will grant you access to a PDF labeled “Break Housing Closings – East Stroudsburg University,” which contains all information regarding times of openings and closing of dorms for all breaks.
Typing Thanksgiving into the search bar will also show a PDF labeled “Thanksgiving Break Housing 2022.” The university advises students not to refer to this, as it contains irrelevant, misguiding information.
“That document is outdated and should not be referenced for current break closing information.”
Students in need of off-campus resources and break housing options are advised to refer to the most recent communications from Residential Life & Housing for accurate details for Thanksgiving.
The Suites and Halls will reopen at 12 Noon on Sunday, November 30.