Vacating Dorms for Christmas Break

<p>Hey, do you guys know when you have to be out of the dorms for Christmas break? I'm a little worried about my son driving home after finals on Friday, since his last one is at 4:30 p.m., especially with the possibility of bad weather (had our first ice storm here today). Can they stay until Saturday? He's in Burge, not one of the ones that let you stay the whole break. I looked on their website but can't find it. And, why would they schedule a Calc I final at 4:30 on Friday, you would think they would want the classes that a lot of dorm-dwelling freshmen take to be done earlier.</p>

<p>Hey Izzie – looks like the dorms are open until Saturday afternoon, based on the following link: [University</a> Housing Guidebook - Information You Should Know ‘O’ - The University of Iowa](<a href=“http://housing.uiowa.edu/res-hall-guidebook/o.htm#breakocc]University”>http://housing.uiowa.edu/res-hall-guidebook/o.htm#breakocc)</p>

<p>I think the reason for the timing of the final is that the schedule is totally based on class meeting time. Otherwise, it would be impossible to manage the many conflicts. </p>

<p>Your concern is a good one - I remember driving home from UIUC with 2 inches of ice on I-57 (because we stayed for an all-important basketball game) – not a good idea. Really should have waited yet another day until the roads were in better shape the next morning.</p>

<p>Thank you! I looked all over for that info. I found it easily when I was looking up Thanksgiving break, because I didn’t want him driving home in football traffic after the game on Saturday but for some reason couldn’t find it today. </p>

<p>Everyone who takes that Engineering Math Calc I class takes the final at the same time so considering there’s 400+ freshman engineering majors and if even say 100 of them placed out of Calc I, that’s 300+ freshmen taking a final at 4:30 on Friday afternoon. I’m guessing that the academic people and the residence hall people do not speak, but it seems like the residence hall people would like to have those freshmen out of there sooner.</p>

<p>I-57 had about 50 cars in the ditch this morning so I know it can be risky to drive on. I’ve heard that North-South highways are worse than East-West. At least Iowa is west of us.</p>

<p>Not to make you more concerned than you already are, but I will tell you that when my daughter and I were driving in to visit Iowa last February (coming up from Lawrence, KS, and then over on 80 East from Des Moines), there were literally dozens, and probably hundreds of cars off the road in the ditch, and quite a few upside down. There are some pretty decent hills on 80, that you really notice when it is icy. We then continued on to Chicago, but the weather had cleared, and I did not notice how hilly it was east of Iowa City. </p>

<p>So suggesting your son wait until Saturday, and stay in a hotel an extra day if needed, or at least take it very slow if the roads are icy, would be well-advised. (to the extent that a teen listens to anything his/her parents suggest!) :)</p>

<p>I know, weather was the one downside to Iowa but the pros way outweighed the cons so he’s there! If he didn’t have the car there to come home for breaks, then I’d have to drive there and back as there’s no public transportation from there to here, so we will just hope for the best on driving days! It’s interstate all the way so that helps. My other son has to take winding hilly country roads to get to school which are way worse.</p>

<p>Im a freshmen and I thought I could leave my belongings in my dorm when leaving for winter break? Are recent responses stating otherwise? I’am more than likely to find out when I return to campus tomorrow but receiving an answer on here may also be helpful.</p>

<p>CB – you can definitely leave your possessions in any of the dorms over the New Years break if you have a contract and plan to return for the spring semester… however, most of the dorms are closed and you cannot stay there. Mayflower, and Hillcrest stay open during the Holidays (for students who live there and have a valid reason for staying over). Here is the link:
[University</a> Housing - Important Dates - The University of Iowa](<a href=“http://housing.uiowa.edu/res-hall-guidebook/importantdates.htm]University”>http://housing.uiowa.edu/res-hall-guidebook/importantdates.htm)</p>