As we approach the end of the fall semester, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and partnership in your student’s journey. 

The Annual Quad lighting took place yesterday, along with the Graduate, Law, Medicine Holiday Dinner on Tuesday. Our annual Undergraduate Holiday Dinner will be tonight. Classes end on Saturday. Monday, December 8 offers a half-day to study, and exams begin in the afternoon, concluding on Friday, December 12 with the last exam from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The dining hall schedule has been posted and also closes on Friday. 

Please encourage your student to take advantage of campus resources such as the Learning Commons, study spaces, and Common Hour programs designed to support exam preparation. We urge students to prioritize rest and self-care during this busy time, and throughout winter break. 

Residence halls will close on Saturday, December 13 at 10 a.m. Students should review the checklist for securing their rooms before departure. Spring move-in begins January 17 at 9 a.m., and classes resume Tuesday, January 20.  Please remind your student to confirm their course schedule and any housing updates before returning. 

On behalf of the entire Quinnipiac community, I wish you and your family a joyful holiday season and a restful winter break. Thank you for being an integral part of our Bobcat family. I look forward to an exciting spring semester ahead! 

Happy Holidays and Go Bobcats! 

Warm regards, 
Tom Ellett 
Chief Experience Officer (cxo@qu.edu)

Student Experience and Engagement 

Our student organizations have been busy this fall hosting more than 800 programs and meetings! The Office of Student Engagement also welcomed 22 new student organizations, including the Cheese Club, Dungeons & Dragons, Networking Association, and Meditation Club. 

To explore these groups and many more, encourage your student to log into Bobcat Central, the best way to stay connected and get involved. 

Looking ahead, we’re excited to host our Spring Engagement Fair on Thursday, January 29 during Common Hour in The SITE building. It’s never too late to join a club and make new connections on campus. 

Need more information about getting involved, starting a club, or ways to connect with peers? Contact campuslife@qu.edu. 

Fraternity and Sorority Life

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life is a vibrant piece of campus life where almost 20% of students chose to become members. Membership offers community, avenues for service and philanthropy, lifelong friends and fun! The all-FSL GPA is consistently higher than the all-undergraduate GPA, and our members perform more than 9,353 hours of hands-on service each year. They raised $221,000+ for philanthropic causes locally and across the country during the last academic year. 

We’ve welcomed more than 400 new members into our community this semester. 

Sigma Chi fraternity will be joining us on campus next fall. Those interested or looking for more information should email fslife@qu.edu.  

Save the date: Spring Recruitment kicks off on January 21 at 9 p.m. in Burt Kahn (snow date is same time and place but on January 22). Come meet our organizations at FSL Kickoff. No registration is required, and all are welcome. 

If your Bobcat wants to find their home away from home, establish a community of peers with similar values, participate in service/philanthropy events, and have fun, feel free to direct them our way for information about joining. Fall recruitment processes are still underway. All questions can be directed to email fslife@qu.edu or via Instagram @qufsl.

Office of Inclusive Excellence

Join us for some upcoming events

Joyfully join us for final studies break on Monday, December 8 from 11 a.m. to  2 p.m. in CCE 190. Come by for food and fun before finals. Bring a friend.

Bobcat Academy Update: Finishing the Semester Strong! 

We’re thrilled to share that Bobcat Academy students have successfully completed 14 weeks of their first semester. From cheering at sporting events to rock-climbing adventures and monthly benchmark check-ins, our students have been actively building community while staying focused on their academic goals. 

Students who met with Cheri Brooks for benchmark reviews and check-ins received early registration benefits and personalized guidance from their program advisers for the additional support designed to keep them on track for continued success. 

As we head into finals, we’re excited for the upcoming Finals Prep Study Break Brunch on December 8 in the Office of Inclusive Excellence.  

We are already looking forward to a strong second semester filled with academic support, connection, and more engaging community-building activities. 

Celebrating Our First-Generation Bobcats! 

This past month, we were thrilled to host our 2nd Annual First-Generation College Student Celebration — a heartfelt and energizing event dedicated to honoring the resilience, pride, and accomplishments of our first-gen community. 

We were especially proud to have President Marie Hardin, a first-generation college graduate herself, open the celebration with powerful remarks that set an inspiring tone for the afternoon. Her message of perseverance and possibility deeply resonated with our students, faculty, and staff. 

Throughout the event, more than 75 students joined us to enjoy cupcakes, pumpkin spice lattes, and an atmosphere full of joy and connection. Students shared spoken word pieces, poems, songs, motivational reflections, and personal stories about what it means to be first-gen. Their voices filled the room with courage, gratitude, and hope. 

We also highlighted our growing community by featuring first-gen student and staff spotlights, inviting students to write thank-you letters to the people who have supported their journeys: mentors, family members, friends, and advocates. 

Special thanks to Graduate Affairs, The Learning Commons, and our many cross-campus partners who shared resources to support first-gen success. Our campus partners played an important role in making students feel seen, celebrated, and supported. 

And to top off the celebration, Quinnipiac Athletics generously offered complimentary tickets to the season opener, giving students one more way to continue the festivities. 

We are proud that 13% of our student population identifies first-generation, and we remain committed to building a campus where their stories, strengths, and successes are uplifted year-round. 

Our Bobcats showed us once again that being first matters and being first-gen is something to celebrate. 

Fitness and Recreation

Recreation

Happy Holidays from RecWell!  

RecWell Winter Break Hours

Our winter break hours will go into effect on Friday, December 12.

• Friday, 12/12
  • Mount Carmel: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
  • York Hill: 7 a.m.  to  4 p.m. 
  • North Haven: 6 a.m. 4 p.m. 
• Saturday, 12/13 - Sunday, 12/14
  • All Fitness Centers Closed 
• Monday, 12/15 - Friday, 12/19 
  • Mount Carmel: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
  • York Hill: Closed 
  • North Haven: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
• Saturday, 12/20 - Sunday, 1/4 
  • All Fitness Centers Closed
• Monday, 1/5 - Friday, 1/16
  • Mount Carmel: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
  • York Hill: Closed 
  • North Haven: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)

Fitness and Wellness

The last day of our regular fitness class schedule is Saturday, December 6.

Exam week classes will run from December 7 to 10; check recwell.qu.edu for updates and to register. 

Division I Athletics

Individual game tickets

Get your tickets

Season tickets

Get your season tickets

News and Updates

Visit GoBobcats.com

Housing and Residential Life

Happy Holidays from Housing and Residential Life! 

Preparing for Winter Break

As the semester winds down and the holiday season approaches, we want to share some important information about winter break that was recently sent to your students: 

We hope that you are doing well, and we invite you to look ahead to the end of the semester, final exams, and winter break. Below is information regarding winter break closing, please review it carefully to ensure that you are prepared to leave for winter break next month. 

All residence areas close for the winter break on Saturday, December 13 at 10 a.m.. If you have questions about any of the information below, please contact your RA or RHD. 

Departure Dates 

Residential students are expected to depart Quinnipiac Housing according to the following guidelines: 

• Students with no scheduled final exams are expected to leave housing by Saturday, December 6 

• Students whose last final exam ends before noon are required to leave housing by 6 p.m. the same day. 

• Students whose last final exam ends after noon are expected to leave housing the next morning before 10 a.m. 

All students are required to leave housing by Saturday, December 13 at 10 a.m. unless they have been officially approved by the Office of Housing for a late stay. 

Request for Late Departure/Break Housing 

If you are unable to leave housing before Saturday, December 13 at 10 a.m., you must request a late departure by completing the Winter Break Housing form which can be accessed on MyHousing between December 1-10. Please note submission of a request does not guarantee approval. 

Be advised that most residence areas will be closed during the break. Students who are approved to stay over the break will likely be consolidated to temporary spaces in lounges in other residence areas. 

Quiet Hours/Exam Hours 

Exam hours begin on Friday, December 5 at 6 p.m. and last through Saturday, December 13 at 10 a.m. Students should be mindful that peers are studying and preparing for finals and are expected to be quiet during this time. Violations of exam hours or other university policies during the final exam period will be documented and violators may be immediately removed from the residence halls. 

Visitors 

There are NO VISITORS allowed once exam hours begin on Friday, December 5 at 6 p.m. and the visitor registration system will be shut down. Students who violate the visitor policy will be documented and adjudicated through the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards process. Your visitor will be required to vacate campus immediately. 

Before you leave campus for the break, be sure to complete the following: 

• Make sure your room is clean, remove trash, sweep/vacuum, wash dishes, wipe down counters and sinks. 

• Empty trash and take it to the dumpster or the trash closet in the hallway (do not leave trash in your living space). If trash is left in your living space, you will be charged $20 per person for the removal. 

• Unplug all electrical cords from the wall sockets. This includes mini fridges, TVs, fish tanks, and power strips. 

• Empty, clean and defrost microfridges and prop the refrigerator door open with a towel to catch the water. Be sure to defrost it at least one day before you leave. 

• Clean out university-provided kitchen refrigerators in Hill, Complex, Crescent, Westview and Townhouses. Do not unplug these refrigerators. 

• Residents of The Hill must remove all items from their balconies. 

• Close and lock all windows and remove all items from the window ledges. 

• Close all curtains and blinds. 

• Take home all valuables, medications, electronics and chargers. The university is not responsible for loss or damage to your personal items. 

• Make sure furniture is not blocking room doors, windows, or hallways. 

• Turn off all lights. 

• Lock all doors, including your bedroom door and take your Qcard and keys with you. 

• Remove door decorations. 

• Take your fish home; tanks left behind will be unplugged. 

• Return any rental books before you leave. 

If you are NOT returning for the spring semester: 

As a reminder, the housing contract is for the full academic year. Students who are studying abroad/away, graduating in December, or who have withdrawn from the university will be released from the housing contract and are required to move out by the end of the final exam period on December 13. Students who are enrolled for the spring semester will not be released from the housing contract. 

Be sure that all personal items and trash have been removed from your space, furniture is returned to its original configuration, and your area is clean and left in “move in condition.” Please remember that students in surrounding rooms may be preparing for final exams while you are moving out and that exam hours are still in effect. 

Your Qcard access to your building/room will end upon your departure. Students with house bedroom keys must return them to the Office of Housing & Residential Life on the Mount Carmel Campus (behind the Bobcat Den). 

Room Changes 

Students who are changing rooms for the spring semester must move all their belongings out of their fall assignment prior to departure for winter break. You can either move your items home or move them to your new assignment before you leave for the semester. All moves must be approved and confirmed by the Office of Housing. Do not move without prior authorization. Your original room assignment must be completely cleared of your personal belongings before you leave for break, and the room must be left in move in ready condition.  

Vacancies 

If there is a vacancy in your room for the spring semester, be sure your bedroom is ready for a new roommate. Students should check MyHousing for changes to their roommate group/new roommates assigned. All spaces should be ready for a new roommate. Residential Life staff will be checking these spaces to ensure that your room is ready for a new roommate. If your room is not ready for a new roommate, you may be asked to return to prepare the space for someone new to move in. University personnel may need to move your belongings if you fail to do so, and there will be a charge for this service.  

Room/Community Damages 

We want to remind you of our damage policy. As stated in the Quinnipiac University handbook and the resident student housing contract: You and your roommates share a room equally. Damages that occur in your room are billed to all roommates unless one person is clearly responsible. We encourage each of you to have a discussion with your roommates about any possible damages that may have occurred in your living unit throughout the semester. If one or several individuals are responsible for the damages, please use this as an opportunity to formally accept responsibility for these damages. Please email your RHD a statement with the subject Damage Responsibility in the subject line by December 16 at 10 a.m. 

If damages are found during closing inspections and we have not received notification of responsibility, we will charge everyone in the room for damages. 

Laundry Rooms 

The university is not responsible for items left in laundry rooms. 

Dining Services 

As we prepare for winter break, the various dining locations will close according to the following schedule: 

• Café Q closes Friday, December 12 at 6 p.m. 

• Bobcat Den closes Thursday, December 11 at 10 p.m. 

• York Hill closes Friday, December 12 at 11 a.m. 

• Starbucks closes Friday, December 12 at 2 p.m. 

• North Haven closes Thursday, December 11 at 1:30 p.m. 

• Shake Smart closes Thursday, December 11 at 5 p.m. 

Spring 2026 Move In 

Students are permitted to return to Quinnipiac Housing on the following dates/times: 

• Saturday, January 17, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

• Sunday, January 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

We wish you a safe and happy holiday season and look forward to welcoming you back to campus in January.  

Dining Updates

Meal Points 

At this point in the semester, it is important that students check their balances regularly to ensure that they are not over or underspending their meal points. Visit the Meal Plan Budgets and Staying on Track page of our website to: 

Download the Transact app to your mobile device or log into the Transact website to check meal point balances. 

View the average budget considerations and week-by-week guidelines

View tips for staying on track, and what to do if you are off track

Financial Aid 

Financial Aid and Loan Information for the J-term and Spring Semester

If you're looking for ways to pay your semester invoice, please visit the loan information page. You will find details on both private lender and parent loan options.  

It’s not too late to file your 2025 to 2026 FAFSA for financial aid consideration for the current academic year.

Log into StudentAid.gov to file your FAFSA. 

Learn more about the FAFSA

Important for New Spring Students Accepting Federal Student Loans

If you're a new student beginning in the spring semester and have accepted federal subsidized or unsubsidized loans as part of your Quinnipiac financial aid offer, please complete the following Department of Education loan requirements, even if you completed them at another school:  

• Loan Entrance Counseling  

• Master Promissory Note (MPN)  

Both can be completed at StudentAid.gov under the Grants and Loans tab.  

These steps are required for your loan funds to disburse toward your student account.  

Financial Aid Notification for the 2026 – 2027 Academic Year

The deadline for returning students to file their 2026 – 2027 FAFSA is April 1.

Please remember, to be re-evaluated for federal and need-based financial aid for next year, file your 2026 – 2027 FAFSA before April 1. 

Next year’s FAFSA is available now on the StudentAid.gov website.

One Stop

Please review the important information below to ensure a smooth registration and payment process for the upcoming terms.  

Invoices for January and Spring Terms 2026

Invoices are now available on Self-Service for January and Spring 2026 terms. Please ensure that your balance is covered by the payment due date, Monday, December 15, to avoid any holds or late fees.

Payment Plans

No payment plans are available for the January Term. 

Spring 2026 payment plan: You must enroll in a plan by Sunday, December 14, if you would like to use this option. 

To sign up for a payment plan, please log into Self-Service and cntinue to the payment portal to enroll in one of the two payment plans offered: 

• 2026 Spring UG/GR (Auto Adjust) – this plan covers the student’s full balance due and will automatically adjust if the amount owed changes. Therefore, if financial aid is applied the balance due on the payment plan will automatically adjust. This adjustment can lead to an increase or decrease of the monthly payment plan. The remaining balance due will be split among the remaining payments. 

• 2026 Spring UG/GR (Fixed Balance) – this plan allows the student to determine the amount to pay via the payment plan. To make any adjustments to the amount after the first payment is due, the student needs to contact the One Stop office.

Spring 2026 Payment Plan Installment Dates

• December 15 

• January 15 

• February 15 

• March 15 

• April 15 

Financial Consent

In Self-Service, students and proxies will be asked to consent to the statement of financial responsibility which includes Quinnipiac's withdrawal and refund policy.  

Tuition Insurance

Students will also be offered the opportunity to purchase tuition insurance. Tuition insurance strengthens and broadens the scope of our withdrawal and refund policy by ensuring reimbursement for tuition, housing and other payments if a student withdraws for any covered medical reason at any time during the semester. 

Refunds

At the conclusion of the add/drop registration period, students may owe a balance or be due a refund. It can take up to three weeks after the start of the term for refunds to be processed. The fastest way to get a refund is to sign up for direct deposit.

More Information 

For more detailed assistance, please refer to the following: 

• Payment Options: A complete list of payment options including one-time payments, payment plans, international payments, and making payments on behalf of a student as a proxy or a third-party. 

• Self-Service Student Finance Guide: Provides complete instructions on using Self-Service to set up a proxy, view and pay invoices and set up a payment plan. 

• Managing Student Finances: Shows cost of attendance and financial aid options.  

• Detailed Payment Instructions: Step-by-step instructions for logging in as a proxy, making a one-time payment or setting up a payment plan.

• One Stop Website: Answers many common questions. The frequently asked questions page is a particularly useful resource. 

Contacting One Stop

This is a busy time for our office, and email is the best way to reach us. Please allow 1–2 business days for a response. Please review our contact information and office hours. We look forward to assisting you.

Registrar

January Term (J-Term) and Spring 2026 Courses Registration

Additional Registration Period

All students (degree and non-degree) have the opportunity to register and make changes to their schedules according to the dates below: 

• December 1 – January 5: Self-Service is open for all returning and non-matriculated students for J-Term courses 

• December 1 – January 26: Self-Service is open for all returning and non-matriculated students for Spring courses 

Questions

The Registrar’s Office can assist with many inquiries; however, some decisions and approvals are managed directly by your school. You will need to contact your school directly for guidance and approval for the following:

• Being added to a closed section of a course 

• Repeating a course previously taken 

• Academic advising questions 

• General inquiries about courses, sections, and academic programs 

• Undergraduate students wishing to register for a graduate class 

• Approval for registering for an Independent Study, Thesis, Tutorial, Internship or Comprehensive Exam 

Please refer to the school contact list for how to connect with the appropriate school or department. 

For other registration information, please visit the Registrar's website

Parking and Transportation

Parking

Cars on Campus During Winter Break

Students who plan to leave their vehicles at the university while traveling off-campus for winter break must park in either the York Hill or North Haven parking garages.

Students who have been granted permission to remain on campus during the break may park in any student surface lots such as North Lot, Hilltop, or Hogan Lot. However, please be prepared to move your vehicle if requested. Failure to comply may result in towing at the owner’s expense. 

Be sure to check your email regularly throughout the break for any updates and stay alert in case of inclement weather. 

Please remember that first-year students are not permitted to have vehicles on campus. Do not bring a vehicle back to campus after the winter break. 

Your cooperation is essential to ensure the smooth operation of campus services. Please plan your transportation and parking arrangements accordingly to prevent any inconvenience. 

Vehicles which violate this policy will be issued a citation may be towed at the owner’s expense.    

Please visit the Parking page of our website to:  

• Apply for a parking permit  

• Pay a parking ticket  

• Appeal a parking ticket  

• Review parking rules and regulations  

• View maps of parking lot locations  

• Learn which permit types are allowed in each lot  

Shuttles

Important shuttle information for Winter Break

• Wednesday, December 10:

  • The last shopping shuttle for the semester will run on Wednesday, December 10 from 5-9 p.m., serving the North Haven shopping loop. 

• Friday, December 12:

  • Bobcat Blue & Yellow: Service ends at 8 p.m. 

  • All other shuttles: Service ends at 6 p.m. 

• Saturday, December 13- Friday, January 16: No shuttle service 

• Saturday, January 17:

  • Bobcat Blue: Modified schedule, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. 

  • Whitney Village is Request & Go  

• Sunday, January 18:

  • Bobcat Blue & Yellow: 10 a.m. – 1 a.m. 

  • Whitney Village is Request & Go 

• Monday, January 19: University Holiday/No Classes 

  • Modified Service schedule 

  • Bobcat Blue:  6 a.m.– 1 a.m. 

  • Bobcat Yellow:  7 a.m. – 1 a.m. 

  • Whitney Village is Request & Go

• Tuesday, January 20:

  •  Regular shuttle service resumes

Extra University Shuttles to Union Station in New Haven for Winter Break

Extra shuttles will run to Union Station for the Winter Break. Please coordinate train tickets with our shuttle schedule to utilize the campus shuttle.

This shuttle connects students to Union Station in New Haven during university breaks to assist students traveling home by train or bus. Train service from Union Station is provided by Amtrak, Metro-North Railroad and Shore Line East. The station will also be used by the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line once it is complete. The station also is a hub for many private coach and bus services.

Students can take a Metro-North train from New Haven to Bridgeport to get to the Bridgeport/Port Jefferson Ferry, which is approximately a 5-minute, outdoor walk from the train station in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Stops include:

• Beginning of holiday break: Pick-up from Mount Carmel and York Hill campuses to Union Station

• End of holiday break: Pick-up from Union Station back to Mount Carmel and York Hill campuses

Winter Break Shuttle to New Haven Union Station

See the full shuttle schedule

If you have any questions related to the shuttle schedule, please email us at: shuttle@qu.edu or call us at 203-582-6200.

College Break Bus Service

**Available for Spring Break 2026**

College Break Bus offers round-trip or one-way rides to locations in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York during Spring break. Buses offer free Wi-Fi, live GPS tracking, an onboard restroom and space for luggage. Rides are for college students only. The on-campus pickup location is North Lot, outside the RecWell Center. Learn more and book your ride

Stops include:

• CT: Stamford

• NJ: Bridgewater, Hamilton, Mahwah, Parsippany

• NY: Islandia, Melville, Roslyn Heights, White Plains

Learn more and book your ride

Public Safety

Important Winter Break Move-Out Information 

A 20-minute loading/unloading zone is available in front of each residence hall. Please have your student ready to meet you upon arrival to help keep the process moving smoothly. Vehicles may not remain parked beyond the 20-minute loading period. 

If you are parked in one of our parking lots, there isn’t a time restriction. 

All residence halls should be accessed through the South Gate and exit through the Mountainview Gate. Traffic on Bobcat Way will flow one way only. 

Please follow the directions and instructions from Public Safety to help ensure a smooth and safe process. 

As you get ready to head home for winter break, please take a few moments to prepare your living space and secure your belongings. A little planning goes a long way in keeping our community safe. 

Before You Leave

• Lock all doors and windows in your room, suite, or apartment. 

• Unplug electronics and appliances to reduce fire risk. 

• Dispose of perishable food and take out all trash to avoid pests. 

• Take valuables home or secure them out of sight. 

• Check your vehicle (if you’re leaving it on campus) to ensure it’s locked and free of valuables.   

While You’re Away

• Stay aware of your surroundings when traveling. 

• Keep your travel plans private on social media. 

• Keep emergency contacts easily accessible. 

Stay Alert

If you’re remaining on campus, report any suspicious activity to Public Safety at 203-582-6200, or dial 911 in an emergency.  

We’re here 24/7/365: Public Safety remains on campus around the clock. 

We wish you a safe, restful, and enjoyable winter break! If you need assistance or have any concerns before leaving, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Graduating Students

Our Commencement website has all the information you need for Commencement. All students who are eligible to graduate will receive information throughout the semester via their Quinnipiac email. Please make sure your student is regularly checking their Quinnipiac email.