Student Life
Arts and Sciences, Engineering, SMFA at Tufts
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Student Life
Arts and Sciences, Engineering, SMFA at Tufts
Residential Life & Learning

Thanksgiving Break

This page has details about a past break.  Information about 2023 November break will be posted in summer 2023.  Information about past breaks is instructive for general ideas and planning, but should not be relied upon for dates, details, or services in 2023.

Thanksgiving Break 2022 

All students are encouraged to use the Thanksgiving break period for rest, a change of pace, and personal reset. Most Tufts departments and services are closed during Thanksgiving break. 

Academics 

Classes are held as scheduled on November 21 and 22; there is no class on November 23 through 27; and classes resume November 28. Students should plan to attend all scheduled class meetings in the usual format on these days. Faculty are advised not to grant excused absences due to student vacation plans or travel preferences. 

On-Campus Housing 

All students who live in the residence halls during the fall 2022 term are welcome to stay in their regular assignment on campus for all or part of Thanksgiving break. There is no additional cost, no permission needed, and no sign up required to stay on campus. Students who choose to leave during the break are not required to check out. If leaving during the break, please close your windows and blinds, unplug all electronics, turn down your heat, and lock your door.

Dining Hours and Meal Support 

All campus dining locations close during Thanksgiving break. 

  • Regular dining hours continue through the end of service on Tuesday, November 22. 

  • Wednesday, November 23: Carmichael and Dewick Dining Centers are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The SMFA Café is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. All other locations closed. 

  • Thursday, November 24 through Saturday, November 26: All locations closed. 

  • Sunday, November 27: Carmichael and Dewick Dining Centers and Commons Marketplace are open from 5 p.m. until the end of regularly scheduled service. All other locations closed. 

  • Monday, November 28: Regular hours resume at all locations. 

Students who (1) meet certain financial aid criteria, (2) have a meal plan during the fall term, and (3) will be around for Thanksgiving break are eligible for Thanksgiving break meal support. Students meeting those criteria will be contacted by email and invited to sign up for meal support in early November. Students with questions about this program can contact the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs at 617-627-3158 or DeanofStudentAffairs@ase.tufts.edu. 

In addition to meal support provided by the university, TCU Senate is offering two additional food resources for students staying on campus during the break: Fall Break Grocery Bags and the Grocery Shuttle Express!

 

Flyer for Fall Break Grocery Bags
Flyer for Grocery Shuttle Express

TCU Senate is organizing a program to connect people who are staying in town during the break. Meet a 'Bo, Host a 'Bo is free to participate in.

Thanksgiving Break Hours 

Most Tufts offices are open during business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on Wednesday, November 23, and closed Thursday through Sunday. Several programs and facilities that usually have operations that extend outside business hours will operate with more limited availability. 

  • Tisch Library Thanksgiving break hours 

  • Mayer Campus Center: 

    • November 22: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

    • November 23: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

    • November 24 through November 26: Closed 

    • November 27: 4 p.m. to midnight 

  • Tisch Fitness Center is closed November 23 through November 26. 

  • The Counseling and Mental Health Service will be closed for routine appointments November 23 through 27, but the 24/7 counselor on call will be available as usual for mental health emergencies. 

  • The Health Service has limited hours for routine visits during the break, but the 24/7 nurse line remains available throughout break for non-emergency medical consultation. 

  • At the SMFA, both 230 Fenway and the Mission Hill Building will have regular hours on Wednesday, November 23 closing at 11:00 p.m. with no after-hours, and will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 24–25. The buildings will reopen on Saturday, November 26 with regular hours.

    • Specialized studios will be open regular hours November 21–22, and will be closed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday November 23–25. Specialized studios will reopen for regular hours on November 26–27.
    • High hazard studios that require a monitor to be present will be open on Saturday and Sunday subject to monitor availability. Contact the studio manager for information about the access schedule in these studios.
    • Private studios will be closed November 24–25 but will be available November 26–27.
    • The SMFA Art Store will be closed November 23–27.

  • The International Center closes at 2 p.m. on November 23. 

Transportation 

Driving 

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is typically the busiest several days of the year on Massachusetts roads. If you are driving, you should anticipate significant congestion and delays, especially Wednesday mid-afternoon and Sunday evening. AAA and other reputable organizations typically issue Thanksgiving travel forecasts in mid-November, and we encourage you to use reliable data to make your plans. Last year, for example, AAA’s 2021 Thanksgiving traffic advisory predicted roads would be experiencing 240% of their usual rush hour volume at peak times in the Boston metro area, resulting in significant delays. 

The Davis Square shuttle, the SMFA Connected shuttle, and SMFA Beacon Direct shuttle will operate on limited hours during the break. Generally shuttles will operate on a reduced schedule on November 23, have no service on November 24 and 25, and operated a limited schedule on November 26 and 27. See full Thanksgiving break shuttle schedule. 

Shuttle Service Schedule (Davis Square, SMFA Connected, and SMFA Beacon Direct)

The Davis Square shuttle, the SMFA Connected shuttle, and SMFA Beacon Direct shuttle will operate on limited hours during the break.  Generally shuttles will operate on a reduced schedule on November 23, have no service on November 24 and 25, and operated a limited schedule on November 26 and 27.

View Thanksgiving break shuttle schedule

Annual TCU Senate Fall Break Shuttle 

The TCU Senate will offer its annual shuttle to facilitate student travel at the start of the break period. Bus transportation will be offered on the afternoon of Tuesday November 22 and the morning of Wednesday November 23. The shuttle will transport students from the Campus Center to South Station and Logan Airport. Tickets available for $5 on TuftsTickets. Tickets are first-come, first-served. 

Flyer for Fall Break Shuttle

MBTA 

The MBTA operates usual service throughout the break except for November 24, when there is less frequent service. See MBTA holiday hours.  Students can get to the main rail hubs, North Station and South Station, and to Logan Airport for around $2 on the MBTA. If you return via Logan Airport, the Silver Line trip from the airport is free. 

Massport Shuttle 

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) operates a shuttle from the Hynes Convention Center in Back Bay to Logan Airport for $3. Taking the shuttle also grants you to priority access at the TSA security checkpoint. The return trip from Logan airport to Hynes Convention Center is free. More information and tickets. There is direct access to the Hynes Convention Center from Tufts via the MBTA.