York University is closed for the Winter Break. Undergraduate residences will be closed during the Winter Break Closure period starting Wednesday, December 23, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. until Saturday, January 2, 2027 at 9:00 a.m.
Students are required to leave their unit 24 hours after their last exam (or last class if they do not have final exams).
During this closure, residents are expected to plan for off-campus accommodations and are not legally entitled to be present in the residence without pre-approval. Entrance cards will be deactivated, and access will not be permitted into the residences for students who are not pre-approved.
Please review the information below based on your Winter Break plans:
- Departure Extension if you need additional time before leaving residence.
- Departing for Winter Break if you will be leaving residence and returning for the Winter term.
- Staying for the Winter Break if you require permission to remain in residence during the closure period.
Housing & Conference Services offices will be closed effective December 23rd, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Students who wish to apply to stay over the break must do so by the November 30, 2026 deadline.
Not Returning for the Winter 2027 Term?
Students who are not returning for the Winter 2027 term must remove their belongings and follow the instructions on the Move-Out webpage.
If you are currently booked in residence for the Winter 2027 term but no longer plan to return, you must submit an Early Withdrawal Form and complete your move-out according to the instructions on the Move-Out webpage.
Leaving for Winter Break? Follow these 4 steps
Take any items you will need during the Winter Break period. You do not need to remove all belongings from your room. Don't forget your ID and any valuable items.
You do not need to remove all belongings from your room or return your keys.
Complete the Winter Break Departure Checklist, including removing perishable food, disposing of garbage, unplugging non-essential electronics, and securing your room.
You do not need to remove all belongings from your room or return your keys.
Once you have completed the steps above and are ready to leave residence, complete the Winter Break Departure process through the Housing Portal.
The Winter Break Departure should be the last step you complete before leaving residence.
By completing the process:
- Housing will be notified that you have departed for the break.
- You will be temporarily checked out of your room in the housing system.
- Your room access will be removed for the Winter Break period.
- Your room assignment will remain unchanged for the Winter term.
Only complete the Winter Break Departure when you are ready to leave resid
Returning in January
When residence has reopened and you have physically returned to residence for the Winter 2027 term, you must complete the Return from Winter Break process in the Housing Portal to reactivate your room access.
Students who are unable to secure off-campus accommodations because they live out of province or have extenuating circumstances and need to stay in residence at any time during the closure period, must submit their request via the Winter Break Closure Appeal Form through the Forms tab in the Housing Portal no later than 11:59pm on November 30, 2026.
You will be asked to state the reason why you need on-campus accommodations as well as any supporting documentation. A $500 accommodation fee will be charged to your student account if you receive approval. The fee covers costs associated with your stay in residence for all or part of the Holiday Closure. Students who apply after the deadline will be charged the $100 Winter Break Closure Late Application Fee.
Please make sure you understand the following service limitations during the closure period:
- Housing & Conference Services offices will be closed effective December 23rd, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
- The Glendon campus cafeteria and Keele campus Dining Halls will be closed during the closure period. Other Food Services options will be limited at the Keele Campus.
- Guests are not permitted unless permission is granted in advance.
- Residence Life staff will remain on call for emergencies only.
Security staff will be conducting daily and nightly patrols throughout the buildings. They will be provided with a list of students who have received permission to be in residence and will have the authority to remove all persons who are not approved.
If your request is approved, then you agree to abide by the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, residence guest policies, and conditions as outlined in the Undergraduate Residence Occupancy Agreement. You also agree to have the applicable charge(s) posted to your student account for payment.
| Application Date | Associated Fee |
| Prior to 11:59pm November 30, 2026 | $500 |
| December 1 - 23, 2026 | $500 + $100 late application fee |
Applications for Fall Extensions and Winter Break Closure will not be accepted past December 23, 2026 at 9am.
Students who need to stay more than 24 hours after their last exam must apply to extend their stay via the Fall Term Extension Request Form through the Forms tab in the Housing Portal no later than 11:59pm on November 30, 2026.
There is no fee to extend your stay up until December 23, 2026 at 12:00pm. However, students who apply after the deadline will be charged the $100 fall Extension Late Application Fee.
| Application Date | Associated Fee |
| Prior to 11:59pm November 30, 2026 | $0 |
| December 1 - 23, 2026 | $100 late application fee |
Applications for Fall Extensions and Winter Break Closure will not be accepted past December 23, 2026 at 9am.
Once approved for a departure extension, students should follow the instructions in the Departing for Winter Break section.