Housing Semester Breaks and Important Dates

If you are unable to move out by 6 p.m. Friday, May 8, due to academics, athletic commitments, or travel constraints, you must complete the late stay between Monday April 6 through 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2026.  

Who Needs to Apply?

• You are participating in the graduation ceremony
  • Approved to stay until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday at no cost. Requests to stay past 8:00 p.m. on Saturday are chargeable.
• Students participating/volunteering for graduation
  • Approved to stay until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday at no cost. Requests to stay past 6:00 p.m. on Saturday are chargeable.
• Students with final exams at 4:00 p.m. or later on Friday, May 8
  • Approved to stay until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday at no cost. Requests to stay past 12:00 p.m. on Saturday are chargeable.
• Students with extenuating circumstances
  
  • Approval and fees are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Where Do I Apply?

• The application will open on Monday, April 6
• In your Housing and Dining Portal, under contracts, titled “Spring 2026 End of Semester Break Request”

When Will I Hear Back About My Late Stay Application?

• Residence Life and Housing will respond to each application via your student email within five to seven business days of applying.

This information is provided to provide you with a smooth move-out process and to avoid charges.

• Preparing Your Room

• Clean your room and common areas, you could be billed for excessive cleaning or item removal services.
• Remove all belongings. Any items left behind will be considered abandoned and disposed of. Please note we do not mail items to students who leave belongings behind.
• Do not leave unwanted items(sheets, curtains, clothing, fans, food, toiletries, mini-fridges, etc.) in rooms or common areas. If staff have to remove these items, you may be billed for their removal.
• Do not remove command strips from the walls. Attempting to remove them may cause damage. Command strips are prohibited and may result in damage charges during room inspections.
• Return furniture to the original configuration.
• Close and lock windows and turn off lights.
• Set Cooling to 70 degrees (Not applicable to PennWest Edinboro)
• Return all keys and access devices to your hall’s designated key drop-off location or Community Assistant during check-out. Failure to return keys may result in a recore or replacement charges ($73-$400+).
• Remove items from community fridge(s). Items not removed will be disposed of.

Non-Perishable Food Donations

• All items will be donated to the PennWest Pantry
• Non-perishable food items (cereal, soup, microwavable noodles or rice, dried or canned fruit, oatmeal, etc.) can be donated in the boxes that will be placed in the main lobby of your residence hall.

Collecting Your Mail

• Check your mailbox and retrieve any packages you have before the mailroom closes for the semester. Any mail that has not been retrieved will be returned to the sender. Please be aware that your mailbox may change if you are returning next school year.

Moving Carts

• A limited number of carts will be available. Plan your move-out so that you can return your cart as quickly as possible for others to use.
  • Check with your hall staff and watch your PennWest email for instructions on moving cart availability and sign-out procedures.
• Please bring boxes and/dollies to assist with your move out.

24-Hour Quiet Hours

• 24-hour quiet hours will be in effect from Friday, May 1 at 11:59 p.m. until Friday, May 8, at 6:00 p.m. Please respect your fellow residents who are studying.

Floor Meetings

• Community Assistants will hold mandatory floor meetings regarding Spring 2026 Closing between Monday, April 20 and Thursday, April 23.

When it’s time to move out, you have two options for checking out of your space

1. Staff Check-Out (Sign-up Required)

Staff check-outs are available by appointment only and must be scheduled in advance during CA desk hours. You can sign up at the front desk of your residence hall.

Sign-ups will be available during CA desk hours from Sunday, May 3^rd through Wednesday, May 6, for appointments scheduled throughout closing week, and will close at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

• Schedule a check-out time with a housing staff member during listed staff hours (as available).
• Clean your room and remove all personal belongings before your scheduled check-out time.
• Walk through the room together.
• Your space will be checked again after all residents have moved out as part of the standard closing process.
• Complete the online check-out form, taking a photo of your key(s) to upload.
• Return your keys directly to the staff member.
• Any damages or cleaning concerns found during this process will be charged to your student account.

2. Express Check-Out

• Complete at any time.
• Clean your room and remove all belongings before checking out.
• No room walk-through with a staff member (staff will complete it after you leave).
• Complete the online check-out form taking a photo of your key(s) to upload.
• You may want to consider taking photos of your room for your own records.
• Place your keys in the designated key drop-off envelope and leave it in your hall’s drop box.
• Any damages or cleaning concerns found during this process will be charged to your student account.

CAs will have additional desk hours the week of final exams/closing.  These hours are scheduled for Staff Check-Out appointments and general assistance.

• Sunday, May 3: 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Monday, May 4: 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 5: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 6:10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Thursday, May 7:10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. 
• Friday, May 8:10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday, May 9 (Approved Late Stays): Available for pre-scheduled appointments only (must have signed up by Wednesday, May 6).

Disclaimer: Hours are subject to change.

• Final charges (if any) will be billed to your PennWest Student Account by early June.
• If we cannot tell who is responsible for the damage, the bill will be divided equally among room residents.
• You are strongly encouraged to upload a photo of your returned key(s) to the online check-out form as directed. If you do not, you will not be able to appeal key The photo must clearly show all keys and access devices issued to you, including your room key, mailbox key (if applicable), and any access cards such as a NEDAP card (if applicable).
• You must communicate with your roommate(s) about damages, trash removal, and responsibility for charges and payment expectations.
• Keep an eye on your student email for any communication from our office.
• You will need to take photo of your returned keys at check out. If you did not take this photo on the check-out  form, you will not be able to appeal this charge. We will not be able to accept late key returns past 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026.