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Your student is no doubt eagerly looking forward to spring break, which is set this year for March 6-10.

Even though undergraduate classes will not meet that week, the university will be closed only on Monday, March 6, and open for the remainder of the week.

Intent to Stay Form Deadline is March 3

If your student lives in Longwood-managed housing, be aware that in order for them to have access to their residence from 6 p.m. Friday, March 3, through noon on Sunday, March 12, they will need to file an Intent to Stay form.

The deadline to submit the Intent to Stay form is 11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 2. Your student can find the form at the Student Housing Gateway.

If your student does not file the Intent to Stay form by the deadline, they will not be able to get into their apartment/residence hall starting at 6 p.m. Friday, March 3, and continuing through noon Sunday, March 12. If there is a chance your student will need access during that window, they should file the Intent to Stay form.

For Students Remaining on Campus

Here are a few other items related to spring break that are especially relevant for students who are staying on campus or in Farmville for all or part of the break:

• D-Hall will close after lunch on Friday, March 3, and will re-open for dinner on Sunday, March 12. Regular hours of operation resume on Monday, March 13. Students can find up-to-date hours and information for all other Longwood Dining-managed food venues can at https://longwood.campusdish.com/.
• Farmville Area Bus Service(FAB) will end at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 3, and will resume at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 12.  There is no bus service for travel to Lancer Park during the break period.
• All residential communities will remain locked 24/7 during the break. Access to students’ assigned buildings will be via their Longwood ID card.
  
• Inspections by RA staff of Longwood-managed housing for safety issues and break-preparation compliance will take place starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 3. Staff will enter rooms/apartments to conduct these inspections.
  

  For Students leaving Campus

  If your student lives in Longwood-managed housing and will be not be in residence during the break, they will need to complete the following list prior to leaving campus. Housing staff will be inspecting rooms/apartments during the break to ensure compliance.

—Remove all trash, contraband, and/or perishable food.
—Thoroughly clean assigned living areas, including the bathroom and common spaces.
—If applicable, adjust the room thermostat to a low/medium setting. Do not shut off the unit’s controls.
—Shut down and unplug all electronics (except minifridges and major kitchen appliances).
—Turn off all lights. Lancer Park residents should, however, leave the porch light on.
—Close and lock all windows.
—Lower all window blinds/shades.
—Lock all doors.

Traffic patterns for Johns and Moss Halls
Parents will be permitted to enter to load/unload vehicles on Spruce Street. To access Spruce Street, enter Wynne Drive from South Main Street, continue to Pine Street and turn onto the sidewalk in front of the Fitness Center.
Friday, March 3, noon-4 p.m.
One-way traffic exiting onto Redford Street and South Main (at the McDonald’s intersection) will be assisted by flag personnel. For departures before and after these hours, U-turns will be permitted on Spruce Street.
Sunday, March 12,  noon-8 p.m.
During these hours, U-turns on Spruce Street will be permitted because the construction gate will be closed and no personnel will be on site.

Redford Street Remains Closed
Due to construction, Redford Street remains closed. This means you you can’t access Spruce Street from the campus entrance at the McDonald’s intersection.

No Parking at Nearby Private Businesses at Any time

Do not use the nearby private business parking lots. They are 24/7 tow-away zones. In other words, your car is subject to being towed all day every day, including weekends, if you park there.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please email them to Residential and Commuter Life at housing@longwood.edu or to the RA/REC staff within each community.

Heads Up for Next Year: A Different Kind of Spring Break

I also thought I’d give you a heads up about options for off-the-beaten-path spring break options for next year. Alternate Breaks, a student organization, and some Longwood offices organize service trips for spring break. In the past, students have traveled to destinations including Puerto Rico to help with cleanup from Hurricane Maria and to the Grand Canyon, Saguaro, Zion and Joshua Tree national parks for service-learning experiences. Information about these alternate spring break activities usually becomes available toward the end of the fall semester or in January. If you think your student would be interested, encourage them to keep an eye out for informational meetings.

Here’s a description of a trip organized by Campus Recreation:
This is an Alternative Break trip in coordination with Campus Recreation, the City of Miami, and the National Park Service. We will be doing service with Historic Virginia Key Beach Park and Biscayne National Park. After doing our food shopping and getting acquainted with the area, we will be doing environmental service projects in both parks during the day and camping at night under the stars. There will be daily reflections to solidify the service learning and all meals will be prepared and shared by the group.

—Sabrina Brown

Hello, little world of wonder! This is my first post, and if you’re as new here as I am, let’s get to know each other right quick. My name is Elle, and I’m a person of many, many, interests. I’m best known on Longwood’s campus for my fiery personality and vast knowledge of strange things, and participation in several student organizations. I enjoy creative, academic, and technical writing, and am set to pursue my Masters in Library and Information Science in 2024 after completion of my Political Science Bachelors degree at Longwood University in December 2023. I’ll be using this site to keep in contact with my colleagues at Longwood, and to organize my thoughts and many adventures!

How about you?

It isn’t often you get a personal welcome from a writer but believe me when you are reading about this, the you is you. I promise. Welcome. I am glad you are taking some time to spend with me here. This site is new, but I am glad to share it with you.

Getting a college degree involves a significant investment. So why not take full advantage of the many activities and services on campus that are provided at no additional cost?

Below are just a few of the upcoming events, activities and services that are available at no additional cost for your Lancers. And a couple are free to parents, too!

LinkedIn Professional Photo Portrait 

Thursday, Feb. 16, 1-4:30 p.m., Hiner Hall lobby

Your student can get a free professional head-and-shoulders photo taken at this upcoming “photo booth” session sponsored by the College of Business
and Education. These portraits are perfect for use on LinkedIn—and it’s never too early to establish a professional presence on this online networking site.

Open Mic Night 

Thursday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m., Upchurch University Center first floor lounge
Does your Lancer sing, write poetry, play an instrument? Lancer Productions, WMLU and SGA are bringing back Open Mic Night after last year’s success! Anyone who’s interested in performing can sign up here: Open Mic Night

Open to Parents and Families!
Richmond Symphony Concert 

Friday, Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m., Jarman Auditorium
This free concert by the Richmond Symphony Orchestra is open to everyone, including parents and other family members. The program will feature Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 and Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole with violin soloist Maria Duenas, a rising star in the world of classical music. No tickets are necessary.

Open to Parents!
FAFSA Webinar: Ask Questions, Get Answers

Saturday, Feb. 25, 10 a.m.
The FAFSA—Free Application for Federal Student Aid—for the 2023-24 year is live. The FAFSA is used to determine your student’s eligibility for federal and state grants, direct loans, the federal work-study program and some need-based scholarships. Parents are invited to this help session at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb 25. Access the webinar here: go.longwood.edu/fafsa

You’ll find a calendar of other activities/events provided for students—almost all at no additional charge—at http://www.longwood.edu/events/calendar/ .

Bicycles

Longwood maintains a fleet of bicycles that can be checked out by students for 30 days at a time through the Health and Fitness Center. There’s no additional charge as long as they’re returned on time.

Fitness Classes

Campus Recreation offers a wide array of group fitness classes. From yoga to Spin Bootcamp to Dance-versity, there should be something to suit just about anyone’s workout tastes. Students can take any—or all—classes at no additional charge.

Longwood Recovers Meetings

Longwood Recovers is an informal and voluntary support group for members of the Longwood community in or considering recovery. Longwood Recovery offers a private space for a weekly group meeting in addition to individual meeting slots with recovery support staff. Group meetings are held every Thursday from 3-4:15 p.m. in Upchurch University Center 305A, and all are welcome to attend (including Recovery Allies). Coffee is provided. Questions? Feel free to contact 434-394-0656.

WellTrack Boost App 

Free to all Longwood students, WellTrack Boost is an interactive self-help app that is designed to increase mental health awareness. The app also provides assessments, connections to campus resources, and strategies and tools for anxiety, stress and depression. Students can download the WellTrack Boost app and register with their Longwood email. Download WellTrack Boost

Caps, Gowns and Hoods Available to Borrow for May Commencement

The SGA has 20 caps, gowns and hoods available to borrow at no cost, especially for students who cannot purchase these items. There are a variety of sizes and hoods for the various colleges. They are available first-come, first-served from Martha Butler in the SGA office on the third floor of Upchurch University Center.

Pass Down the Gown: Recycle Graduation Regalia for Next Year’s Graduating Class

Anyone who doesn’t want to hang onto their graduation regalia can keep it from taking up space in their closet—and out of a landfill—by “passing it down” to be used by next year’s graduating class. Students can donate their caps, gowns and hoods (any or all of those items will be accepted) at the Info Desk in Upchurch University Center. Someone will be there to take donations for about an hour after the end of the May 20 Commencement ceremony.

—Sabrina Brown