University offers winter break travel and testing guidance to undergraduate students with special circumstances

The following information about winter break is for undergraduates living on campus.

Campus conditions

If the infection rate on campus and in the surrounding community remains low, we hope that public health guidelines currently in place will not change significantly between now and January (see Health Alerts Current Policies and Status). However, if the positivity rate increases, the university, county and state public health guidelines could change with little notice, as we are seeing elsewhere around the world. We will inform you of any changes, and we appreciate your ongoing flexibility as our community continues to navigate the pandemic crisis.

Housing assignments

We would like to assure all undergraduates who have been approved to live at Stanford during winter quarter that you will receive a housing assignment if you submitted a winter quarter housing application. All students not staying for winter break must completely move out of their current housing assignment and return their keys when their contracts end on Nov. 22. If you applied for winter quarter housing, Residential & Dining Enterprises Student Housing Assignments will provide information about your winter quarter housing assignment and move-in date in the coming weeks. Students staying for the entirety of winter break will move into their winter quarter housing assignments in early January, before other students return to campus.

Factors to consider while making travel plans

All students
We know many of you are eager to travel and visit loved ones during the break between quarters. We ask you to carefully consider your health, as well as the health of those you are visiting and of your Stanford community when you return. Also, please be aware that the uncertainties of the pandemic may disrupt your travel plans and your return to campus with very little notice, so planning with flexibility, such as purchasing plane tickets that are changeable and/or taking belongings with you, is key.

International students
We also realize that students under Stanford visa sponsorship have been advised by the Bechtel International Center not to travel out of the United States during this time due to uncertainties around the COVID19 pandemic, consular services abroad, and re-entry into this country. We know how difficult this situation is for many of you and for your families and friends around the world. For more information, please see the travel advisory letter for winter break 2020 and our FAQ on travel.

COVID-19 testing

During winter break
We expect to maintain testing services on campus between autumn and winter quarters, including during the winter campus closure between Dec.12 and Jan. 3, and will communicate the testing schedule during those weeks in a future message.

Before traveling
If you are traveling away from campus, you should plan to have a COVID test a few days before your planned departure to ensure that you are not carrying the virus to others. If you test positive and are unable to travel, the university will provide isolation dining and housing at no additional cost, as long as the student is in isolation.

After traveling
If you choose to travel outside of Northern California as defined here, you should plan to follow the current public health guidelines upon your return to campus residences or other campus facilities. You should plan to get tested twice upon your return, within a day or two of your arrival and approximately five days later. While you are waiting for both of your test results, you should restrict your exposure to others and social interactions to only essential activities.

Residences and dining

Residential & Dining Enterprises is pleased to announce that the R&DE housing front desk and emergency maintenance staff will be available to you (find your residence here). In addition, Arrillaga Family Dining Commons will be open during winter break for students to use their R&DE meal plan. Outlets like Munger Market, the Marketplace at EVGR, and The Axe & Palm will also be open. R&DE Stanford Dining hours and locations are listed here. R&DE Stanford Hospitality & Auxiliaries locations and hours are listed here.

Other services

During the winter campus closure, available support and services will include Residence Deans, Vaden Health Services (Medical Services and Counseling and Psychological Services), and the Department of Public Safety. Hours for the Stanford Libraries are posted here.

In closing

We will share the university’s plans for winter quarter in the coming weeks, as we know that information also influences your own planning. We are thinking about you, your academic success and, even more importantly, your well-being and safety. Please explore the Virtual Well-Being website and reach out to any faculty or staff if you need support or have suggestions for us.