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 $418 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 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 away, graduating in December, not planning to live on campus for Spring 2027 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.

    Dining Commons Schedule

    December 23:
    Breakfast (7:15 AM–10:00 AM)
    Lunch (11:30 AM–1:30 PM)
    Dinner (5:00 PM–6:30 PM)
    *Note: Dining Dollars and Guest Swipes will turn off after dinner

    December 24:
    Lunch (11:30 AM–1:30 PM)
    Dinner (5:00 PM–6:30 PM)
    *Breakfast items will be available at meals on December 23.  Grab & Go items for December 25 will be available at lunch & dinner.

    December 25: CLOSED

    December 26 – December 31:
    Lunch (11:30 AM–1:30 PM)
    Dinner (5:00 PM–6:30 PM)
    *Breakfast items will be available at meals the previous day.  Grab & Go items for January 1 will be available on December 31.

    January 1: CLOSED

    January 2 – January 23:
     Breakfast (7:15 AM–10:00 AM)
    Lunch (11:30 AM–1:30 PM)
    Dinner (5:00 PM–6:30 PM)

    January 24:
     Breakfast (7:15 AM–10:00 AM)
    Lunch (11:30 AM–4:00 PM)Dinner (5:00 PM–10:00 PM)

    January 25: Normal operations resume.

    Other Operational Modifications

    Kendade Grab & Go:
    Closes December 15 at 2:00 PM
    Reopens January 26

    Blanchard Grab & Go:
    Closes December 15 at 2:00 PM
    Reopens January 26

    Frances Perk Café:
    Closes December 18 at 2:00 PM
    Reopens January 26

    Cochary Kitchen & Pub:
     Last day open December 18
    Reopens January 26

    M&C:
    End December 17
    Resumes January 26

    Exam Treat M&Cs:
    Hosted in the Dining Commons from 8:00 PM–10:00 PM on December 18, 19, & 20

  • Mail Services

    The Mail Services hours will be
    December 21- December 22:  9:00 am - 5:00 pm
    December 23:  9:00 am - 1:00 pm
    December 24 - December 27:  Closed
    December 28:  9:00 am - 1:00 pm 
    December 29 - December 30:  Closed
    December 31:  9:00 am - 1:00 pm 
    January 1 - January 3:  Closed
    January 4:  Regular hours resume

  • Transportation to Grocery Stores

    TBD 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 23 at 12:00 noon. The office will reopen for urgent care and administrative purposes on Monday, January 4th 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:

    Friday, December 18
    departing MHC at 3:00pm

    Saturday, December 19
    departing MHC at 3:00pm

    Sunday, December 20
    departing MHC at 9:00 am
    departing MHC at 12:00 noon
    departing MHC at 3:00 pm

    Monday, December 21
    departing MHC at 9:00 am
    departing MHC at 12:00 noon
    departing MHC at 3:00 pm

    Tuesday, December 22
    departing MHC at 9:00 am
    departing MHC at 12:00 noon
    departing MHC at 3:00 pm

    Wednesday, December 23
    departing MHC at 9:00 am
    departing MHC at 12 noon
    departing MHC at 3:00 pm (For approved late stays only)

    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:

    Friday, December 18
    departing MHC at 8:00 am

    Saturday, December 19
    departing MHC at 8:00 am

    Sunday, December 20
    departing MHC at 8:00 am

    Monday, December 21
    departing MHC at 8:00 am

    Tuesday, December 22
    departing MHC at 8:00 am

    Wednesday, December 23
    departing MHC at 8:00 am

    Please use this Shuttle Sign Up Form to sign up.

  • Sports & Recreation

    Kendall Building/Fitness Center Hours

    December 16  - December 18
    Kendall and Fitness Center (7:00 am - 6:00 pm)
    *Open Swim: (11:30 am - 1:00 pm ONLY)

    December 19 - December 20
    Kendall and Fitness Center (12 noon - 6:00 pm)
    * NO open swim

    December 21
    Kendall and Fitness Center (12 noon - 4:00 pm)
    *NO open swim

    December 22 - January 3
    Kendall and Fitness Center is 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 8:00 pm
    December 17 - 21: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
    December 22 - 24:  12 noon - 8:00 pm
    December 25 -  CLOSED/College Holiday
    December 26 - 31: 12 noon - 8:00 pm
    January 1: CLOSED/College Holiday

    January
    Monday-Friday:  8:00 am to 8:00 pm
    Saturday-Sunday:  12:00 Noon 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 20 - January 4 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.