Fall break and the Thanksgiving holiday are approaching. This message includes important information about university operations. 

During fall break from Monday, Nov. 23, through Wednesday, Nov. 25, no undergraduate classes will be held, but the university will function as normal. 

Please note: Classes at some graduate and professional schools (including the Kornberg School of Dentistry, the Beasley School of Law, the Lewis Katz School of Medicine, the School of Pharmacy and the School of Podiatric Medicine) will still be in session during this time. Students from graduate and professional schools should refer to their school’s academic calendar for more specific scheduling information.

The university will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27.

Essential personnel should check with their supervisors to coordinate schedules throughout the break. 

Some services and offices may have abbreviated hours during fall break. Use the following websites to check hours of operation.

• Bookstores
• Campus Recreation
• Cherry Pantry
• Dining Services
• Employee Health Services
• Howard Gittis Student Center
• Parking Services
• Shuttle Services
• Student Faculty Center (HSC)
• Student Health Services
• TECH Center
• Tuttleman Counseling Services
• University Libraries

Please note, some university resources will resume normal or expanded hours between Sunday, Nov. 29 and Wednesday, Dec. 16. Specific details are forthcoming.

Residence Halls will close for the fall semester on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 12 p.m. and reopen for the spring semester on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021 at 10 a.m. Check the University Housing and Residential Life website for more information about housing exceptions and reminders before leaving. 

Students living off-campus and leaving for fall break, please:

• activate your security system, if you have one;
• ask a neighbor to watch your home and report suspicious activity;
• be sure your door and window locks work properly; 
• check smoke detectors to make sure they are working;
• suspend mail delivery (you can do this online);
• take your valuables with you;
• use light timers to make your home appear occupied at night; 
• leave the area and call police immediately if you return home and suspect someone was inside; and
• update or create a home inventory by taking photos and listing descriptions and serial numbers of your belongings. In the event of a burglary, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file.

Students not leaving for fall break are encouraged to use the Walking Escort program offered through Campus Safety Services, available daily from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m. Call 8-WALK (8-9255) from a campus phone or 215-777-9255 to request a security escort. For more information on safety resources, visit safety.temple.edu. 

In addition:

• Temple University Center City will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25, and reopen on Monday, Nov. 30. (The student computer lab will close at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25.) 
• Faculty and staff who need access to any buildings on Ambler Campus during the holiday must report to the campus police station in Bright Hall and present their OWLcard. Normal operations will resume on Monday, Nov. 30. 
• Temple Harrisburg will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, and reopen on Monday, Nov. 30.
• The School of Podiatric Medicine will close at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, and reopen on Monday, Nov. 30.
• The following buildings at the Health Sciences Center (HSC) will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, with normal business hours resuming Monday, Nov. 30.
  • School of Pharmacy
  • Kornberg School of Dentistry
  • Medical Office Building
  • Old Dental School
  • The Student Faculty Center

The Medical Education and Research Building (MERB) is open around the clock. Access to Kresge Science Hall (including Kresge West) and Medical Research Building (MRB) is through MERB. 

If access is needed to any other HSC building that isn’t accessible by card swipe, report to the Temple Police station at Parkinson Pavilion (Broad and Tioga streets). If you have permission to access an HSC building via the card swipe 
access system, and plan to do so, alert Campus Safety Services at 1-1234.

Ensure your safety and the safety of others by not propping open doors, even for a moment.

Before you leave campus, do your part for energy conservation.

• Turn off lights and power strips, and unplug electrical equipment that will not be in use. 
• If applicable, turn heat down to 60 degrees. 
• For safety and energy efficiency, be sure windows are closed and locked when you leave, regardless of the temperature outside. A window left open even slightly can lead to frozen and broken pipes.
• Draw blinds and close curtains. 

Lastly, for Temple University’s most up-to-date COVID-19 information, please visit temple.edu/coronavirus.
 
Have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday!