Closing Time

by Sophie Gordon
As finals begin and students’ minds turn to the long break ahead, there are a few housekeeping items that need to be taken care of before heading for home. Use the following reminders as a checklist to ensure that you are ready to leave. Have a wonderful break!

• Remember that you MUST check out of your residence hall within 24 hours of your last final.
  
  
• The residence halls (except for Studebaker East) will close Saturday, December 13 at 6 p.m. The last meal served by Dining will be the lunch meal. The halls will reopen Sunday, January 4 at 9 a.m. Dining will be open for the lunch meal in selected locations.
  

• Before leaving:
  
  
• Remove the trash from your room
  
• Unplug EVERYTHING (appliances, alarm clocks, lamps, etc.)
  
• Tip: defrost your fridge ahead of time (at least two days prior to leaving)
  
• Lock your window
  
  
• Close blinds/drapes on ground floor, leave blinds/drapes open on upper floors
  
  
• Turn on the heat (set your heater at 72 degrees or turn it on low)
  
  
• Make sure nothing is blocking the area in front of your window
  
  
• In addition, take the following items home with you:
  
• Perishables, like pet fish and food that may spoil
  
• Your driver's license and/or passport
  
• Valuables, like laptop computers or jewelry
  
• Clothing for special occasions
  
• Prescription medication
  
  
• When you're ready to leave, turn off the lights and lock the door, place your “I’m Outta Here” sign on your door, and follow check-out procedures from your RA and hall director.
  

• If you are staying past 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, you MUST sign the sheet at the front desk confirming you will be in your room. ALL residents must be out of their room with all of the closing tasks completed no later than 6:00 p.m.
  

• Staffed computer labs in the residence halls will close at 3 p.m. Friday, December 12 for the semester.
  

• If you are NOT returning to Ball State University and/or the residence halls in January, please contact your hall director immediately. Students who are not returning must complete additional paperwork with the hall director and be moved out by 6 p.m. December 13.