Today’s post has what I hope will be some helpful information about Thanksgiving break.
For those of you whose students will be coming home for the holiday, I hope you have a wonderful visit and a very happy Thanksgiving.
This is a time when many of us think about what we’re grateful for—an activity that apparently has health benefits. Here’s what the Mayo Clinic Health System website has to say about being intentionally thankful: “Expressing gratitude is associated with a host of mental and physical benefits. Studies have shown that feeling thankful can improve sleep, mood and immunity. Gratitude can decrease depression, anxiety, difficulties with chronic pain and risk of disease. If a pill that could do this, everyone would be taking it.”
I can tell you that those of us who work at Longwood are thankful that we have the opportunity to provide your student with a college experience that prepares them for a successful and meaningful life as a citizen leader.
Now, here’s that information about the break.
If your student lives in Longwood-managed housing and is staying on campus during the break, they need to fill out an Intent to Stay form, which is available through the Student Housing Gateway.
It’s important to note that any student who needs access to their residence between 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, and noon Sunday, Nov. 26, must fill out an Intent to Stay form—even if they won’t be on campus for that entire time.
The Intent to Stay form must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 20.
Filling out this form gives students uninterrupted ID card access to their housing (where applicable) and notifies Campus Police that they will or may be staying on campus during all or part of the break.
If your student asks, please let them know they should not cancel any academic or other personal obligations during the break period. Instead they can be sure to have continued access to their assigned living space by submitting the Intent to Stay form.
If your student lives in Longwood-managed housing and is coming home for the holidays, they should be sure to do the following before departing campus:
—Remove all trash and perishable food.
—Thoroughly clean their assigned living area, including the bathroom and common spaces.
—If applicable, adjust their room thermostat to a low/medium setting.
—Take valuables and important items with them (medication, eyeglasses, wallet, etc.).
—Shut down and unplug all electronics, except personal refrigerators or apartment appliances.
—Turn off all lights.
—Close and lock all windows.
—Lower all window blinds/shades.
—Lock all doors.
If your student lives in Moss or Johns hall, you will be able to load and unload vehicles on Spruce Street for the break. Similar to the one-way traffic flow of August move-in and fall break, please be sure to access Spruce Street by taking Wynne Drive to Pine Street and then turn onto the sidewalk in front of the Fitness Center. Use Redford Street (McDonald’s intersection) only to EXIT campus.
Below is some additional important information about the break that has been shared with students.
- All residential communities will remain locked (24/7)during the break. Students who filled out the Intent to Stay form will continue to have access to their assigned buildings through the card reader(s) on their building (where applicable).
- No guests are allowed in university housing during the break.
- The dining hallwill close after lunch on Tuesday, Nov. 21, and re-open for dinner on Sunday, Nov. 26. Regular hours of operation resume on Monday, Nov. 27. Up-to-date hours and information for all other Longwood Dining-managed food venues can be found at https://longwood.campusdish.com/ .
- Farmville Area Bus service(FAB) will end at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, and will resume at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26. There is no bus service for travel to Lancer Park during the break period.
- Residence hall rooms and apartments are subject to entry during the break; limited work orders and/or facility safety inspections could occur.
- Campus offices will be closed Nov. 22-24.
- For general assistance from Campus Policeduring the break, students can all 434-395-2091. In case of emergency, students should call 911. Students who need help with a non-life-threatening medical issue can call the Nurse Advice Line at 805-858-3117.
—Sabrina Brown