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 $350 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 in December 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 1/28.
    • Blanchard Grab & Go Closes 2pm on 12/10. Reopens 1/28.
    • Last M&C is on 12/12. Resume on 1/28.
    • Exam Treat M&C's in the Dining Commons on from 8pm-10pm on 12/13,12/14 & 12/15
    • Frances Perk Café Closes at 2pm on 12/13. Reopens 1/28.
    • Cochary Kitchen & Pub Last Day Open 12/13. Reopens 1/28.

    December 18 -

    • Breakfast 7:15am - 10:00am
    • Lunch 11:30am - 1:30pm
    • Dinner 5pm-6:30pm
    • Dining Dollars and Guest Swipes are turned off after dinner

    December 19- 23

    • Breakfast Items available @ lunch & dinner the previous day
    • Lunch 11:30am - 1:30pm
    • Dinner 5pm-6:30pm

    December 24

    • Grab & Go Items available at Lunch & Dinner for 12/25
    • Breakfast Items available @ lunch & dinner the previous day
    • Lunch 11:30am - 1:30pm
    • Dinner 5pm-6:30pm

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

    December 26- December 31

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

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

    January 2 - 5

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

    January 6-25

    • 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 5pm- 10pm

    Regular Hours Resume January 27.

  • Mail Services

    The Mail Services hours will be

    • Monday, December 23 9am - 5pm
    • Tuesday, December 24 9am - 3pm
    • Wednesday, December 25 CLOSED
    • Thursday, December 26 CLOSED
    • Friday, December 27 9am - 3pm
    • Saturday, December 28 CLOSED
    • Sunday, December 29 CLOSED
    • Monday, December 30 CLOSED
    • Tuesday, December 31 9am - 1pm
    • Wednesday, January 1 CLOSED
    • Thursday, January 2 9am - 5pm
    • Friday, January 3 9am - 5pm

  • Transportation to Grocery Stores

    Friday, December 20

    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 23

    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 27

    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 30

    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 18th at 4:30 pm. The office reopens and urgent care begins Monday, January 6th 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 18, 19 and 20 Health Services hours will be 9am - 12pm (Noon). Health Services will close on December 20, 2024 at noon, and will not reopen for clinical services until January 2, 2025.  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:

    • 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 December 20- December 22 8:30am-5pm; closed December 23 - January 4. 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, 12/14

    • departing MHC at 3:00pm

    Sunday, 12/15

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

    Monday, 12/16

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

    Tuesday, 12/17

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

    Wednesday, 12/18

    • 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, 12/14

    • departing MHC at 8:00am

    Sunday, 12/15

    • departing MHC at 8:00am

    Monday, 12/16

    • departing MHC at 8:00am
    • departing MHC at 8:00am
    • departing MHC at 8:00am

    Please use this Shuttle Sign Up Form to sign up.

  • Sports & Recreation

    Kendall Building/Fitness Center Hours

    • Friday, 12/13 6:30am-8pm;  Last Open Swim 11:30am-1:00pm
    • Sat, 12/14 10am-6pmMon, 12/16-Thur 12/19 7am-6pm; No Open Swim
      Friday, 12/20 7am-2pm; No Open Swim
      Sat, 12/21-Wed, 1/1 CLOSED
    • Sun, 12/15 12pm-6pm
    • Mon, 12/16-Thur 12/19 7am-6pm; No Open Swim
      Friday, 12/20 7am-2pm; No Open Swim
      Sat, 12/21-Wed, 1/1 CLOSED

  • Events

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

    • Friday, December 27, 2024 , Time TBD- Gingerbread House Making @ Safford TV Room: Make a wooden gingerbread house using a variety of paint, markers and other materials!
    • Friday, January 3, 2025, Time TBD - Paint & Sip @ 1837 Common TV Room (facing the lake): Sip juice and sodas while following along to make a cute snowman painting!
    • Friday, January 10, 025 Time TBD- Movies & Cocoa @ Mead Common Room: Sip Hot Cocoa and watch a fun movie!Be Well Tips for Brea

  • Blanchard Hall

    • Tuesday, 12/17: close at 8pm
    • Wednesday 12/18 - Friday 12/20: open 8am to 8pm
    • Saturday 12/21 - Monday 12/23:  open 8am to 8pm
    • Tuesday 12/24 - Wednesday 12/25: CLOSED
    • Thursday 12/26 - Tuesday 12/31: open noon to 8pm
    • Wednesday 1/1: CLOSED
    • (Intersession) Thursday 1/2 - Tuesday 1/21: 8am to 8pm
    • (Spring Orientation) Wednesday 1/22 - Sunday 1/26: 8am to 11pm
    • Regular building hours resume: Monday 1/27 at 7:30 am.

  • Public Transportation

    The PVTA Route 38 will not operate between December 19, 2024, and January 26, 2025.  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 2025. More information can be found on the PVTA website.

  • College Closed

    The College will be closed from December 25 at 5 p.m. to January 2. 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.