Pictured Above: Residence halls will remain open to some students for break stay.
Patrick Tobin | The Crow’s Nest
By Molly Ryan
The “Oak Ridge Boys” once said: “you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”
That has since been the motto of USF St. Petersburg’s residence halls every winter break.
As on-campus activity comes to a nearly two-month halt, a question for those who may not be able to leave is raised for those who can’t make it home between Nov. 25 and Jan. 11.
However, at the USF Tampa and St. Petersburg campuses, the housing and residential education offices are allowing those with the proper credentials to remain in the dorms during the extended break.
Residents’ housing accounts must be in “good standing” to be eligible for break stay. Students with account balances from fall semester are not eligible for break stay.
Break Stay housing is not included in the housing agreement cost, according to the St. Petersburg housing and residential education website.
Residents interested in applying for break stay should apply on the Housing Portal before 4 p.m. on Dec. 9.
According to the USF St. Petersburg website, under Housing and Residential Education, “residents who fail to submit the form by Dec. 9 will no longer be eligible for break stay.”
For those considering break stay, it should be noted that “…housekeeping and maintenance techs will be knocking on doors then entering rooms starting at 8 a.m. to clean (perform turnover) and/or complete repairs as needed,” from Dec. 14 to Jan. 8.
The website also says, “staff will be wearing appropriate ID and protective gear.”
Students who decide to take advantage of break stay will be able to receive mail and packages under certain conditions as well.
“Packages will be logged for pickup from Dec. 11 until Dec. 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily… No mail or packages will be delivered Dec. 19 to Jan. 3 while the university is closed. The Mail Center will reopen on Monday, Jan. 4, 2020,” the website says.
For more information, students can email housing or call at 727-873-5101.
