Seasonal Housing and Break Operations  

Tufts operations are adjusted annually during fall break, winter break, spring break, and summer session. The most significant updates to the student experience for students in the School of Arts & Sciences (including the SMFA at Tufts) and the School of Engineering during these breaks are summarized here. 

The dates of breaks and the plan for each break is announced months in advance to enable all students to make choices about how and where to spend their break. Students should make their plans carefully, based on the guidance provided here. Please also consult the Student Life Calendar and the Academic Calendar for important break-related dates. 

Sustainability and Breaks 

Tufts’ commitment to sustainability is an important consideration during break periods, whether you live on or off campus. Please reduce your landfill waste by donating unneeded items via the Office of Sustainability’s move-out program, the TCU Senate Textbook Exchange, Jumbo’s Community Fridge, and other programs. You can also store items for use next year instead of throwing items away and buying new next year or share items with friends who are staying over the summer. 

Break periods also provide us with an opportunity to significantly reduce energy use. Follow the departure and move-out checklists to defrost your fridge, unplug all items, adjust HVAC settings, turn off lights, and minimize energy use when you are not present. In addition to reducing energy use regardless of where you live, these measures can also help off-campus students who are responsible for their own utility bills save significant money. 

Security During Breaks 

If you live on campus and will be gone during a break period, make sure all windows and doors in your unit are closed and locked. The exterior of all residential buildings will be locked. 

If you live off campus, it is useful to note that local police departments caution residents who are going to be gone on vacation during break periods to take security precautions. In addition to making sure doors and windows are closed and locked and vehicles are secured, you can make your house less likely to be a target by using the USPS Hold Mail Service and pausing other deliveries that may be scheduled to come to your house at the time you are gone, letting a trusted neighbor know you will be gone and asking them to watch for unexpected activity at your home, and taking action to make sure your house doesn’t look abandoned or vacant.

Questions about Break Operations 

If you have questions about the student experience during break periods, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 617-627-3158 or DeanofStudents@tufts.edu.