Breaks and Important Dates

Academic Year 2021-2022 Break Period Important Dates

November Break: November 20th to November 28th

Fall Classes Resume: November 29th

Fall Semester Move-out: December 18th by noon

Winter Break Starts: December 19th, 2021

January Term Move-in: January 2nd, 2022

Spring 22 Housing Selection Process (for students who need housing for spring semester only): Wednesday, January 19th

January Term: January 3rd to January 27th

Spring Classes Begin: February 2nd

Spring Break: March 12th to March 20th

Spring Classes Resume: March 21st

January Term and Winter Break Information:

Students are expected to depart campus by 2pm on December 18.  Housing Operations will send an email in early December with reminders about proper closing procedures and storage information for students leaving for Winter Recess.  

Campus housing during the Winter Recess and January Term is limited. All students must evaluate Winter Recess or January Term Housing Circumstances by December 2nd.  This form will walk you through your eligibility based on the criteria that you meet. 

Winter Recess:  Students who remain on campus during Winter Recess must meet at least one of the following criteria: 

  • Students whose home is Amherst College
  • International students who cannot travel
  • Students working for the College during the Winter Recess
  • Athletes with mandatory participation in athletic activities during the Winter Recess

J-Term: Students who reside on campus during J-Term must meet at least one of the following criteria, and move-in, as well as an arrival test: 

  1. Enrollment in any J-Term course  
  2. Students enrolled in the Fall 2021 semester who meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • Students whose home is Amherst College
  • International students who cannot travel
  • Thesis students
  • Students working for the College during the Winter Recess
  • Athletes with mandatory participation in athletic activities during the Winter Recess
Students who will study away or take a leave in the Spring 2022 semester, but meet the above criteria #2, must depart campus by January 27th Students in the Class of 2022E who enroll in a J-Term course to complete their course of study are able to remain on campus IF they are enrolled in a J-Term course AND must depart campus by January 27th

J-TERM ARRIVAL PROTOCOLS

Spring Semester: Students are invited to return to campus Sunday, January 30 through Tuesday, February 1, 2022.  Classes begin Wednesday, February 2, 2022.  Consistent with all other openings, students will need to arrive between 7am and 5pm to take an antigen and PCR test upon arrival.  All students are encouraged to obtain a pre-arrival test. 

Break Period Dining Information:

Valentine Dining Hall may have reduced hours of operation or may be closed during break periods. For more information, including meal plan information, please refer to the Dining Services website.

Testing Schedule:

Please refer to this schedule of testing hours for Winter Break and J-term. Some of these hours may be subject to change.

November Break:

Dinner on Tuesday, November 23 will be hosted at the Inn on Boltwood. The Autumn in the Valley Dinner will feature a menu of seasonal favorites. Registration is required and there are two service times, either 5:00pm or 7:45pm (RSVP by November 17). Please note that Valentine Dining Hall will not serve dinner on Tuesday, November 23.