ASHLAND — While most college students venture home over the winter break, some may opt to remain on campus.
That option to stick around is one around 30 Ashland University students will take advantage of this winter, according to residence life director Emily Adam.
Many others will drop in and out over the course of the university’s winter break, which goes from Dec. 14-Jan. 6, Adam said.
“We do what we can to make sure students are supported,” Adam stated in an email Thursday. “If our office is unable to help for any reason, we make sure to find them resources who can help.
“Every student’s situation is different, and some may not have a comfortable home environment to return to for the break, or with the cost of traveling right now students may not be able to return home; being able to stay on campus during break provides a safe and comfortable environment for students.”
Finals ended on Thursday, and students are on a break from academics until classes start for the spring semester on Jan. 8. The university will be closed from Dec. 21 to Jan. 3.
What resources can students access during break?
According to Adam, students who do remain on campus will still have access to AU Safety Services, which is open 24/7.
She also plans to send an email to students ensuring they know they can still get in contact with an on-call resident assistant, and sharing information about mental health hotlines for students that may need them.
While meal plans aren’t active over winter break, Adam’s email to students highlights that the Lyceum Café and Eagles Nest — both on-campus dining choices — will have hours they’ll be open from Dec. 18-20 and Jan. 4-5.
The campus recreation center will also have some hours during the break, operating on Dec. 16-20 and Jan. 2-7.
The café, Eagles Nest and rec center will be closed from Dec. 21 to Jan. 3 when the university is closed.
The university also opened a food pantry earlier this semester in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center. That food pantry is typically open for students to take what they need on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be open for any students who need it on Dec. 20 before reopening Jan. 17.
Victoria Haky, the administrative assistant for the office of student life, said some students don’t yet know the food pantry is available since it’s still new.
Haky said Nicole Dyer, the dean of students, led the charge to create the food pantry over the past couple of months specifically to help during Thanksgiving and winter break.
“It’s a judgment free zone,” Haky said.
How about staff?
Robert Pool, Ashland University’s vice president, also said Dyer’s office launched Christmas food boxes this year.
Haky said that initiative also came together over the last couple months. It helps any employees at Ashland University who may be in need of support.
All the items to put those together — both for Thanksgiving and Christmas — were donated by staff and community members, according to Haky.
She said more people seemed to take advantage of those boxes at Thanksgiving, but still had some Christmas boxes to dole out as of 3:45 p.m. Thursday. Staff picking up those boxes will retrieve them by the end of day on Friday, Haky said.
