In a change to University Housing & Resident Life policy, all students who sought winter break housing were charged $1,100 regardless of duration of stay or the student’s financial aid package. The fee does not provide access to on-campus dining, which is closed over break. In previous years, students living on campus could apply for winter housing without additional costs.
The University confirmed the change in policy in a statement to the Maroon.
“Until recent years a relatively small number of students requested to stay on campus in the period between Autumn Quarter and Winter Quarter, and the University was able to accommodate these requests while closing most residence halls during break,” the statement read. “With a recent rise in the number of students requesting on-campus housing during the break period, the University is assessing a fee to cover the costs of keeping multiple residence halls open, which can be waived for students who are considered to be housing insecure under Illinois law. This is in line with the practices of numerous peer institutions.”
Housing & Residence Life defines a student experiencing housing insecurity as someone who is at “imminent risk of lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence or whose parent or legal guardian is unable or unwilling to provide shelter and care.” The Illinois Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act requires institutions of higher education to have at least one liaison to assist students experiencing homelessness. UChicago has designated HOUSE liaisons to connect housing insecure students to on and off campus resources.
Other Chicago-area universities charge undergraduate students for winter housing. Northwestern University, whose break is of a similar length to the University of Chicago, provides housing and dining accommodations for $2,250 with students being eligible to reduce that cost with financial aid. The University of Illinois Chicago, whose break is one week longer, charges students to $575 to stay for half of the break and $1,100 for the full break period with no mention of financial aid packages.
