Editor's note: This article was updated on Dec. 16, 2021.

The University of Delaware has enjoyed a vibrant fall semester on campus, but all that studying and researching and service work has left the UD community in need of a well-deserved holiday.

Winter break for students will begin after the conclusion of final examinations, on Saturday, Dec. 18. Residence halls will close at 10 p.m. that night.

With limited exceptions, University offices will be closed beginning Friday, Dec. 24, and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 3. UD facilities will move to an adjusted schedule, outlined below.

For students attending Winter Session, residence halls will reopen for check-in from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 2. These classes will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 3.

University Printing

University Printing is open through Dec. 22 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., closing at 2 p.m. on Dec. 23 for the holiday break. The facility will reopen at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 3, with regular hours (Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The email address — universityprinting@udel.edu  — will be monitored continuously during the holiday break if there are any pressing questions or concerns.

Development and Alumni Relations

The Office of Development and Alumni Relations, which can be reached at 302-831-4333, will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 28, and Friday, Dec. 31.

With the end of the year rapidly approaching, donors can help grow and expand the opportunities for current and future students by making a gift to their UD passion. Gifts of all sizes ensure the success of a UD education and help UD achieve the overall goals of Delaware First: The Campaign for the University of Delaware.

Year-end contributions may be made:

• Online
• By sending a check to 83 East Main St., 3rd floor, Newark, DE 19716
• By calling 302-831-4333

Checks and envelopes must be dated/postmarked no later than Friday, Dec. 31, for the contribution to process in calendar year 2021. All UD departments and units should be sure to frequently check mail for contributions and follow the normal process for providing the year-end gifts to the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

Little Bob Recreation

The Carpenter Sports Building (Little Bob) will be closed Saturday, Dec. 18, and Sunday, Dec. 19.  It will reopen Monday, Dec. 20, through Wednesday, Dec. 22, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will also be open on Thursday, Dec. 23, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Little Bob will officially close starting Friday, Dec. 24, for the winter break, reopening on Monday, Jan. 3, for regular hours. Please reference the website for the most up-to-date hours.

University Student Centers

The Perkins Student Center and the Trabant University Center will be open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, Dec. 20-23. The Esports Arena and Hen Zone will be closed.

Both centers will be closed from Dec. 24 through Jan. 2.

From Jan. 3-Feb. 6, the centers will be open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and from 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. The Esports Arena and the Hen Zone will be open from noon-9:45 p.m., daily. All hours are subject to change. 

UDairy Creamery

Through Thursday, Dec. 23, the UDairy Creamery flagship location (535 South College Ave.) will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Cheese and ice cream can be purchased in person, or you can have it shipped directly to you or a recipient.

The UDairy Creamery location at the Barnes and Noble UD Bookstore (83 East Main St.) will be open:

• Though Dec. 17: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Dec. 18: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Dec. 19: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Dec. 20-23: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Both locations will be close from Dec. 24 through Jan. 2, reopening on Jan. 3. 

UD Ice Arenas

Public skating is back at the University this holiday season. The Fred Rust Ice Arena is once again painting the ice and having over 1,000 lights installed. COVID-19 protocols, along with admission and skate rental fees, are listed on the website. Hours are:

• Friday, Dec. 24: 1 p.m to 4 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 27: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 28:  1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 29: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Dec. 30: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 31: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 1: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sunday, Jan 2: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Student Wellbeing Services

Services remain available during regular weekday hours for Student Health Services (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), the Center for Counseling and Student Development (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Student Wellness and Health Promotion (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.). Offices will close for the winter break from 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 22, through Friday, Dec. 31. Regular weekday hours resume on Monday, Jan. 3. Student Health Services will be closed for a Staff Development Day on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Nonstop support services such as the UD Helpline and SOS Network, Crisis Text Line and CareNet remain operational 24 hours a day. Details about all services are found on the Wellbeing in Student Life website.

Parking Services

Nightly from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. during final exam week (Dec. 13 through Dec. 18), in an effort to support students studying at UD’s Hugh R. Morris Library, there will be no charge for parking at the Visitors Center Lot 41 on South College Avenue. Normal rates will apply between 2 a.m. and 8 p.m. If parked during these hours, motorists should pay the kiosk.

Those with valid red and resident student parking permits may park in gray lots when classes or exams are not in session, from Monday, Dec. 20, through Thursday, Dec. 23.

During the holiday break, when the University is closed, weekend parking rules will be in effect. Normal parking regulations resume Monday, Jan. 3. To obtain the best price, Winter Session parking permits will be available for sale online Jan. 1, and spring semester permits will be available online beginning Feb. 1.

The Parking Services office will be open Dec. 20, 21, 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Dec. 23 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Online resources will be available throughout the break at www.udel.edu/permits. The office reopens Monday, Jan. 3, at 8 a.m.

Transportation Services Shuttle

From Monday, Dec. 20, through Thursday, Dec. 23, the UD shuttles will operate according to the limited holiday schedule. There will be no weekend bus service. Additionally, from Friday, Dec. 24, through Saturday, Jan. 1, there will be no University shuttle service. Beginning Sunday, Jan. 2, shuttles will operate the regular weekend bus schedule. Winter Session buses will begin Monday, Jan. 3. Please refer to the transportation website for more information.

Dining Services

The last meal of the fall semester,  served at the Pencader location on Laird campus, will be dinner on Saturday, Dec. 18 (the Russell dining location will have closed on Dec. 15). All locations will be closed from Sunday, Dec. 19, through Sunday, Jan. 2. The first meal of UD’s Winter Session will be dinner — served from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 2 — at both the Pencader and Russell dining locations. For the most updated hours, see the Dining Services website.  

UD Bookstore

Hours for the Barnes and Noble UD Bookstore will follow the regular fall schedule through Sunday, Dec. 19 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday; noon to 6 p.m., Sunday.) The winter break hours are as follows:

• Monday, Dec. 20: 10 a.m.  to 2 p.m. (closing early for a staff holiday party)
• Tuesday through Friday, Dec 21-24: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday, Dec 25-26: Closed
• Monday through Friday, Dec 27-31: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Saturday, Jan. 1: Closed 
• Sunday, Jan. 2: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. 
• Monday, Jan. 3: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 4, the Bookstore will be open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Sundays) through Feb. 2. 

Library, Museums and Press

UD’s Hugh M. Morris Library will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Thursday, Dec. 23. Although Morris Library (and Old College Gallery, Mechanical Hall Gallery and the Mineralogical Museum) will be closed from Friday, Dec. 24, through Sunday Jan. 2, many online resources will remain accessible 24/7 at library.udel.edu. For any additional information regarding hours during the Winter Session, visit library.udel.edu/hours.