With spring break right around the corner, Ohio University prepares students with resources for spring break on-campus. Students electing to stay on campus should be aware of Housing and Residence Life policies and resources available during the period.
For the students that stay over break, the university sent an email Monday detailing what would be open and closed, changes in hours for the mailroom and how to contact residence hall staff.
“All residence halls will remain open over spring break, so you are welcome to stay and do not need to make any additional housing reservations,” Housing and Residence Life said in the email. “You are also able to leave campus and return any day during the week.”
Nelson Hall and the District on West Green, as well as their markets, will be closed for the duration of spring break.
“Culinary Services has posted their hours of operation for all dining venues on their webpage, as well as the meal plan prorations for that week,” Housing and Residence Life wrote.
Mail rooms on all three greens will be open March 10-15 from 12-4 p.m.
Students will not have to fill out any forms stating that they are remaining at OU during the break. The residence hall buildings will remain fully accessible for students.
If a student needs to contact an resident advisor or other staff member, they will be able to utilize the duty phone in their building. The Living Learning Center Welcome Desk will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March 10-14.
University spokesperson Alex Semancik shared a list of activities students remaining on campus can participate in during spring break, including movies, displays and other ways to unwind
Kylee Mendenhall, a freshman studying sociology pre-law, said even though her family lives in the Athens area, she prefers to stay on campus during breaks.
“I just like campus life better. I feel easier being in town than being at home most times," Mendenhall said. "A lot of my friends are still going to stay on campus instead of going home as well, so it'll just be better."
Mendenhall said she uses the time on campus to clean, relax and hang out. She plans to spend her time working at the Central Food Facility on campus as well.
With the majority of students traveling to their hometowns or vacationing in popular spring break destinations such as Florida, Mexico or the Caribbean, the students that stay over break are left in a much more peaceful, much less hectic environment.
Gretchen Belinski, a third-year student studying mechanical engineering, is from out of state. That, coupled with her being an RA at Washington Hall on East Green, contributed to her reasons for staying.
“My hometown is in Texas, and I didn't really need to go all the way back. We didn’t make any plans to meet up otherwise,” Belinski said. “My sister also happens to be a master’s student here, so I’m able to hang out with her as well.”
Belinski said she enjoys the peaceful environment during breaks. She said she likes the time to indulge in her hobbies like drawing and enjoy the quiet.
“It’s pretty nice, it’s kind of a quiet little ghost town, but it’s fun,” Belinski said. “It is peaceful, I think.”
