STUDENT AFFAIRS

Continuous Housing Provides Option for Students Spending Winter Break on Campus

For the first time, three on-campus residences will remain open to Northwestern students during University breaks

As the days get shorter and holiday lights brighten Northwestern’s Evanston campus, Paul Hubinsky, director of strategic initiatives and planning in Residential Services, is thinking back to a promise he and his team made to students this year: “If you sign up for continuous housing, you can stay on campus all year without moving to a different space.”

Over winter break, 18 students will participate in Northwestern’s continuous housing program, a new initiative that Residential Services and the University introduced for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Residential Services collaborated with the Office of the Provost, Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid, and Office of International Student and Scholar Services, while partnering with Students Affairs colleagues in Student Enrichment Services and the Dean of Students Office to make the new program a reality.

“Introducing continuous housing was an intentional decision that we made as we look for more ways to dismantle barriers that our students face,” said Carlos M. Gonzalez, executive director of Residential Services. “Students call Evanston home year-round for a myriad of reasons, including for safety or financial circumstances. Helping students stay here on campus and providing continuity of home is something we are excited and proud to provide.”

While campus housing has always been available over University holidays, students previously had to move into graduate student housing when all undergraduate residence halls were closed. For the first time, 1871 Orrington, 710 Emerson and 1856 Orrington will remain open to participating undergraduate students throughout the academic year.

The Residential Services team is investing in other important resources to make the program a success.

"We are staffing continuous housing with resident assistants and resident directors who are on call and will be hosting programs throughout the break period, including a holiday dinner for students,” Hubinsky said.

Students can access the continuous housing program in two different ways. Returning students who live on campus can opt into continuous housing and pick their rooms before the academic year, while new students who opt into continuous housing may submit preferences in the summer and are assigned their spaces before arriving at Northwestern.

Limited campus services will also remain open over winter break, including mail and package deliveries, the Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service and Counseling & Psychological Services, providing resources to students who remain on campus throughout the holiday season.