December Break

December break housing is only open for domestic and international students whose permanent home address is abroad and for students who have hardship getting or going home. There is a $450 fee to stay on campus during this break. This is a flat fee and will be charged to those staying for any part or all of December Break. All students wishing to stay for December Break must register via Residence. You will be notified via email about your eligibility and approval. Students approved to stay on campus will be able to stay in their rooms (except Mead Hall) and meals will be open during limited hours every day except on December 25 and January 1. The fee will cover meals, heating and limited building housekeeping. Students approved to be on campus will have access to the halls with Golden Pears if they would like to use a kitchen and cook for themselves. Trips to stores will be coordinated along with some social activities during this time.

Please note that students going on leave, studying away, withdrawing, finishing in December, graduating in December, not planning to live on campus for Spring 2026 semester, or returning from leave are NOT eligible to stay on campus for any breaks before or after their leave. For example, if you are studying abroad in the Fall semester (August-December), you are not eligible to return to campus for the December Break or January Intersession that follows your leave and must plan to return when the halls open prior to when the Spring semester starts in January.

 
 
 

  • Dining Hours

    Please check out the Dining website for the most up to date information.

    • Kendade Grab & Go Closes 2pm on 12/10. Reopens 1/2.
    • Blanchard Grab & Go Closes 2pm on 12/10. Reopens 1/27.
    • Last M&C is on 12/12. Resume on 1/28.
    • Frances Perk Café Closes at 2pm on 12/12. Reopens 1/27.
    • Cochary Kitchen & Pub Last Day Open 12/13. Reopens 1/27.

    Dining Commons Meal Hours:

    December 17

    • Breakfast 7:15am - 10:00am
    • Lunch 11:30am - 1:30pm
    • Dinner 5pm-6:30pm

    December 18-December 31

    • Breakfast Closed (Grab & Go Breakfast Items available at lunch & dinner the previous day
    • Lunch 11:30am - 1:30pm
    • Dinner 5pm-6:30pm

    December 25 - Closed (to-go items available the day before.)

    January 1 - Closed (to-go items available the day before.)

    January 2- 24

    • Breakfast 7:15am - 10:00am
    • Lunch 11:30am - 1:30pm
    • Dinner 5pm-6:30pm

    January 25

    • Breakfast 7:15am - 10:00am
    • Lunch 11:30am - 4pm
    • Dinner Normal meal hours resume

  • Mail Services

    The Mail Services hours will be

    • Monday, December 22 through Wednesday, December 24:  9am - 1pm
    • Thursday, December 25:  CLOSED
    • Friday, December 26:  9am - 1pm
    • Saturday, December 27 and Sunday, December 28:  CLOSED
    • Monday, December 29 through Wednesday, December 31:  9am - 1pm
    • Thursday, January 1: CLOSED
    • Friday, January 2: 9am - 1pm

  • Transportation to Grocery Stores

    Friday, December 19

    Shuttle (First come, first serve, 25 passenger capacity) to CVS/Big Y will be departing from Blanchard Bus Stop as follows

    Depart MHC Pick Up CVS/Big Y
    11:00am 11:20am/11:45am
    12:00pm 12:20pm/12:45pm
    1:00pm 1:20pm/1:45pm
    2:00pm 2:20pm/2:45pm

    Monday, December 22

    Shuttle (First come, first serve, 25 passenger capacity) to Holyoke Mall will be departing from Blanchard Bus Stop as follows

    Depart MHC Pick up at JC Penney
    12:00pm 2:45pm
    2:00pm 4:45pm

    Friday, December 26

    Shuttle (First come, first serve, 25 passenger capacity) to Trans World Market/Trader Joe's will be departing from Blanchard Bus Stop as follows:

    Depart MHC Depart Trans Word Market
    12:00pm 1:15pm/1:30pm
    2:00pm 3:45pm/4:00pm

    Monday, December 29

    Shuttle (First come, first serve, 25 passenger capacity) to CVS/Big Y will be departing from Blanchard Bus Stop as follows:

    Depart MHC Pick Up CVS/Big Y
    11:00am 11:20am/11:45am
    12:00pm 12:20pm/12:45pm
    1:00pm 1:20pm/1:45pm
    2:00pm 2:20pm.2:45pm

  • Guest Policy

    There are no guests in the residence halls during December Break. Residence halls are open only to provide living space for students registered for December Break. Non-Mount Holyoke College students and Mount Holyoke College students not registered for December Break housing are not permitted as guests in the halls. Residents may not sublet or increase the occupancy of the room.

  • Counseling  Services

    The Counseling Service will be closed Wednesday, December 17th at 4:30 pm. The office reopens and urgent care begins Monday, January 5th at 8:30 am.

    For urgent mental health needs when the Counseling Service is closed:

    • Students and concerned community members can consult with an offsite clinician from the 24/7 Crisis Line. Call 413-538-2037 and follow the prompts for urgent evaluation and support in planning next steps.
    • You may also call Public Safety and Service directly at 413-538-2304 to request emergency assistance or to be connected with MHC Professional Staff On Call.
    • You may go to the nearest emergency room (Holyoke Medical Center is closest to Mount Holyoke College).

    Other sources of support include:

  • Health  Services

    December 17, 18 and 19 Health Services hours will be 9am - 12pm (Noon). Health Services will close on December 19, 2025 at noon, and will not reopen for clinical services until January 5, 2026.  When Health Services is closed, an on-call service is available for urgent medical concerns. Call 413-538-2121 and follow the prompts. Options for local health care needs include:

    • UMass Amherst Urgent Care: 413-577-5101
    • Cooley Dickinson Hospital Emergency Room: 413-582-2108
    • Holyoke Hospital Emergency Room: 413-534-2500
    • CDH Urgent Care Center (two sites): 413-582-4400
      • 30 Locust Street, Northampton, MA 01060
      • 170 University Drive, Amherst, MA 01002
    • Baystate Urgent Care: 413-387-4197
      • 325 King Street Northampton, MA 01060
    • Holyoke Medical Group Walk-In Care Services: 413-535-4800
      • 1962 Memorial Drive Chicopee, MA 01020

    For medical emergencies, while on campus please call Public Safety and Service directly at 413-538-2304. For true medical emergencies off campus, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.

  • LITS

    LITS Services/Williston Library will be available Wednesday, December 17th to Friday, December 19th from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, December 20th to Sunday, January 4th they will be CLOSED.

    More information can be found on the LITS Hours Page.

  • Airport Shuttles to Bradley

    There will be Airport Shuttles to Bradley International Airport as follows:

    Saturday, 12/13

    • departing MHC at 3:00pm

    Sunday, 12/14

    • departing MHC at 9:00am
    • departing MHC at 12:00pm
    • departing MHC at 3:00pm

    Monday, 12/15

    • departing MHC at 9:00am
    • departing MHC at 12:00pm
    • departing MHC at 3:00pm

    Tuesday, 12/16

    • departing MHC at 9:00am
    • departing MHC at 12:00pm
    • departing MHC at 3:00pm

    Wednesday, 12/17

    • departing MHC at 9:00am
    • departing MHC at 12:00pm
    • departing MHC at 3:00pm (Only for approved late stay students)

    Please use this Shuttle Sign Up Form to sign up.

  • Airport Shuttles to Logan

    There will be Airport Shuttles to Logan International Airport as follows:

    Saturday, 12/13

    • departing MHC at 8:00am

    Sunday, 12/14

    • departing MHC at 8:00am

    Monday, 12/15

    • departing MHC at 8:00am

    Tuesday, 12/16

    • departing MHC at 8:00am

    Wednesday, 12/17

    • departing MHC at 8:00am

    Please use this Shuttle Sign Up Form to sign up.

  • Sports & Recreation

    Kendall Building/Fitness Center Hours

    Wednesday, 12/10

    • Open Swim 11:30am-1pm ONLY

    Thursday, 12/11

    • Open Swim 11:30am-1pm ONLY

    Friday, 12/12

    • Kendall Open 6:30am-7pm
    • Fitness Center Open 6:30am-7pm
    • Open  Swim 11:30am-1pm ONLY

    Saturday, 12/13

    • Kendall Open 10:00am-6pm
    • Fitness Center Open 10:00am-6pm
    • No Open Swim

    Sunday, 12/14

    • Kendall Open 12:00pm-6pm
    • Fitness Center Open 12:00pm-6pm
    • No Open Swim

    Monday, 12/15

    • Kendall Open 7:00am-6pm
    • Fitness Center Open 7:00am-6pm
    • No Open Swim

    Tuesday, 12/16

    • Kendall Open 7:00am-6pm
    • Fitness Center Open 7:00am-6pm
    • No Open Swim

    Wednesday, 12/17/25 -Sunday, 1/4/26 CLOSED

  • Events

    More information about events during the break will be emailed directly to registered students. Events are only available to registered students.

    • Thursday, December 25th at 9:00am - Community Breakfast in Blanchard 227 -- In light of the dining hall closure for the holiday, join Winter Program Assistant Davida for various breakfast items and an opportunity to connect with your fellow winter break residents over fresh fruit and warm drinks!
    • Wednesday, December 31st at 8:00pm - Movie Night! in Blanchard 227 -- Bring in the end of 2025 with Winter Program Assistant Sadia and enjoy warm drinks, cookies and a movie that might be relatable as you are all feeling, home alone!
    • Saturday, January 3rd at 6:00pm - Light the New Year! in the Great Room -- Join Winter Program Assistant Domenica for an afternoon of crafts, a sweet snack, and setting intentions for the new year. Residents can make a nature (dried flowers) lantern while enjoying mini waffles. Each lantern can include a written New Year intention.

  • Blanchard Hall

    • December 16: close at 8:00pm
    • December 17 - 21: open 8:00am to 8:00pm
    • December 22 - 24:  open 12:00 noon to 8:00pm
    • December 25 - CLOSED/College Holiday
    • December 26 - 31: Open 12:00pm to 8:00pm
    • January 1: CLOSED/College Holiday

    January

    • Monday-Friday 8:00am to 8:00pm
    • Saturday-Sunday 12:00pm to 8:00pm
    • Regular building hours resume on Tuesday 1/20/26

  • Public Transportation

    The PVTA Route 38 will not operate between December 18, 2025, and January 25, 2026.  R29 Service continues year-round, it does not run on December 25th. B43 Regular, full service will continue through Saturday, December 21. It will follow a No-School Schedule from December 22 through January 25 2026. More information can be found on the PVTA website.

  • College Closed

    The College will be closed from December 21 - January 5 at 9 a.m. No emails and/or phone calls will be seen or responded to during this time. If there is an emergency, you can reach out to Public Safety and Service at 413-538-2304 and they can assist you or connect you to the Professional Staff On Call.