Winter Break
Winter Break
Have a safe and healthy Winter Break!
The university will be closed beginning at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
The Department of Public Safety will remain open 24/7 and can be reached at 585-475-3333 or via text at 585-205-8333. For emergencies, please call 911. You can also use the TigerSafe app to quickly contact Public Safety and access campus safety resources.
Adjusted Building Hours
| December | |||
| Dec. 1-9 | Regular hours* | ||
| Dec. 10-17 | 7 a.m.-10 p.m. | ||
| Dec. 18-19 | 7 a.m.-5 p.m. | ||
| Dec. 20-21 | Closed | ||
| Dec. 22-23 | 7 a.m.-5 p.m. | ||
| Dec. 24 | 7 a.m.-2 p.m. | ||
| Dec. 25-31 | Closed | ||
| January | |||
| Jan. 1-4 | Closed | ||
| Jan. 5-9 | 7 a.m.-5 p.m. | ||
| Jan. 10-11 | 8 a.m.-10 p.m. | ||
| Jan. 12 | Regular hours* resume | ||
Beginning Dec. 9, the Gordon Field House & Activities Center and the Hale-Andrews Student Life Center will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on weekdays and 1-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Both buildings will close at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025 and will reopen at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.
For a full list of adjusted Gordon Field House & Activities Center, Hale-Andrews Student Life Center, and Judson-Hale Aquatics Center hours, visit the Recreation Facilities website.
The Red Barn is open to the public, students, and faculty 4-9 p.m. on weekdays and 1-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Red Barn will be closed starting Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, and will reopen on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 for normal business hours for the winter break. Fees and other details can be found at the Red Barn Climbing Gym website.
Wallace Library will close at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. For a full listing of library hours, please visit the RIT Libraries website.
Adjusted Service Hours
Visit the RIT Dining website for the latest winter break hours for dining locations.
FoodShare (113 Riverknoll)
FoodShare will maintain regular hours through Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.
FoodShare Hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 1-7 p.m.
- Saturday: 1-5 p.m.
Dec. 15-Dec. 18, 2025: FoodShare will have a limited schedule.
- Monday-Thursday: 1-5 p.m.
FoodShare will be closed Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
FoodShare will reopen on Jan. 5, 2026, on a limited schedule until the beginning of the semester:
- Monday-Wednesday: Jan.5-8, 1-5 p.m.
- Saturday: Jan. 10, 1-5 p.m.
Bern’s Closet: RIT community members can visit Bern's Closet during operating hours at FoodShare.
FoodShare will resume normal business hours on Monday Jan. 12, 2026.
Margaret's House will be closed beginning at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, and will reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
Residence halls, Global Village, University Commons, Riverknoll, Perkins Green, Greek Circle, 175 Jefferson, and the RIT Inn will remain open over the break. A professional staff member from the Residence Life team will be on call throughout the break and can be accessed by calling Public Safety.
Residence Life Service Desk Hours:
- Dec. 20-23, 2025: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Dec. 24, 2025: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Dec. 25, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026: Closed
- Jan. 5-9, 2026: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Jan. 10-11, 2026: Noon-5 p.m.
Residence Life will return to normal business hours on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.
Action Required: End of Semester Winter Break Plan
All students living in RIT Housing must complete this form by December 18 to ensure uninterrupted access and receive essential end-of-semester information. The form opens December 1.
RIT Housing will remain open during winter break (December 20 – January 11). Students eligible to stay must:
- Currently reside in RIT Housing
- Be registered for spring semester
- Continue living in RIT Housing for spring
Students not returning for spring must check out by 10 a.m. on December 18. For details and to submit your plan, visit End of Semester and Winter Break Plan.
The RIT Service Center will close at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, and reopen at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
Counseling and Psychological Services
Counseling and Psychological Services will be closed beginning at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025 and will reopen for normal business hours on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. For urgent matters that cannot wait for business hours, call 1-855-436-1245 to speak with a mental health provider or call Public Safety at 585-475-3333.
Student Health Center
The Student Health Center will close at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and will reopen for normal business hours on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. If the Student Health Center is closed and you need health advice, please contact our nurse advice service by calling the Student Health Center at 585-475-2255. If there is a medical emergency, call Public Safety at 585-475-3333 or text 585-205-8333.
RIT will operate on a reduced shuttle schedule during Winter Break beginning Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. On Wednesday, Dec. 24 and Tuesday, Dec. 31 shuttle service will end by 4 p.m. There will be no shuttle service on Thursday, Dec. 25, for Christmas or Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, for New Year’s Day. Visit the campus shuttle page for the latest updates.
Information for Faculty and Staff
The university will officially close at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025.
To show appreciation for your commitment and hard work, RIT is extending the winter holiday break and adding a one-time additional designated holiday for all faculty and staff on Friday, January 2, 2026.
Student employees who work during the Winter Break must adhere to the 40-hour-per-week limit, and must report their time accurately. Questions regarding Early Release Pay or payment for hours worked by student employees during the break can be directed to the Student Employment Office at 585-475-2631.
Student Government has sponsored a Winter Break Bus that will run a continuous loop for one day at the start of the Winter Break and one day at the end of Winter Break. The bus provides easy transportation to and from the Greater Rochester International Airport, Amtrak station, and Greyhound station.
Transportation will be available for departures on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and for returns on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Departures: The bus loop will begin at F-lot with the first drop off at the Greater Rochester International Airport, followed by the Greyhound station, with the final stop at the Amtrak station.
Sign up for the departing break bus
Returns: The first pick-up will be at the Amtrak station, followed by the Greyhound station and the Greater Rochester International Airport, before returning to F-lot.
Sign up for the returning break bus
RIT Athletics
RIT Athletic teams continue to compete throughout the Winter Break. Upcoming Men’s Hockey Games:
- Jan 3. RIT vs. Penn State @ 7:05 p.m. (Sold out)
- Jan. 9 RIT vs. Robert Morris @ 7:05 p.m.
- Jan. 10 RIT vs. Robert Morris @ 5:05 p.m.
Tickets are $5 for students. View the full athletic competition schedule to find out when you can cheer on your RIT Tigers.
Plus, Open Skate (no skate rental; own skates are required) at the Gene Polisseni Center will be held on Jan. 5 from 12-1 p.m. and Jan. 7 from 1-2 p.m.
Rochester Events and Happenings
There are many local events happening in the Rochester area this holiday season. If you're looking for something to do, check out the Visit Rochester events calendar and Democrat & Chronicle events calendar for a full list of ideas.
Protect Yourself and Others this Cold & Flu Season
As the weather turns colder and we spend more time indoors, we anticipate increases in COVID-19 infections and an increase in cases of the flu. As you get ready for the holidays, consider getting COVID-19 and the flu vaccines to better protect yourself and the people you care about. Keep your immune system strong by getting enough sleep, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and staying active. Wearing a mask and washing your hands reduces your risk of getting ill and of sharing your illness with others.
While you’re home for the break, we recommend stocking up on some essential health and wellness items to bring back to campus with you. For a complete list, check out What to Bring to Campus.
Most local pharmacies are giving the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine shots. Plus, the RIT F shuttle stops at Wegmans and CVS in Target on weekdays and weekends.