Questions and answers about Winter Session 2015

4:40 p.m., Oct. 27, 2014--UD's Winter Session 2015 offers a variety of options for students. Here are some frequently asked questions. 

Exactly when is Winter Session 2015?

Most of the classes are five weeks long and meet daily Monday through Friday for a little over an hour and a half each day.  They start Jan. 5, three weeks after the end of fall exams and end with exams on Saturday, Feb. 7, just before spring classes begin on Monday.  This winter, for the first time, there are also about 40 classes that are only four weeks long (Jan. 12 – Feb. 7).  Students responding to surveys in the past two winters indicated they might prefer to have a four-week break and four weeks of class instead of three weeks off and five weeks of classes.

What is the cost of Winter Session 2015?

Winter tuition is charged at the same cost per credit as fall and spring, but with two significant discount opportunities.  Undergraduates who take five or more credits pay only the cost of 4.5 credits.  About half of all winter students take two three-credit classes, so for them this amounts to a 25 percent reduction from the normal rate.  This winter for the first time, to encourage new freshmen who started at UD this fall to utilize their first Winter Session, those students are offered a 10 percent  discount even on course loads of one to four credits.  There is no winter housing fee for students who already live in traditional residence halls during fall and spring.  Dining Plans are mandatory for students who live in traditional halls or suites.  Meals will be served in two dining halls (Pencader and Kent).  There are various configurations of meals and points at costs of approximately $780 for five weeks or $620 for four weeks. 

How do I register for Winter Session?

Registration began on Monday, Oct. 27. Students will register online as they do for fall semester and spring semester. If students have any difficulty, staff members will be available to assist them at the Registrar’s Office on the first floor or the University Visitors Center. Each student has been assigned a Registration appointment -- the day and time at which they may individually begin to register. They can view their appointment on their personal UDSIS web page.

Students may continue to register and drop/add through UDSIS through the end of the free drop/add period.  For five-week courses that will be Jan. 9, the fourth day of that period.  Four-week classes starting Jan. 12 will have a three-day drop/add period ending Jan. 14.  These are the last days on which to add classes without the permission of your assistant dean or to drop classes without any financial obligation. 

Do I have to live in a residence hall during Winter Session?

No, you are not required to live on campus during Winter Session, but many students enjoy being back on campus to both take advantage of the educational opportunities and to engage in the vibrant campus life. If you DO plan to live on campus for Winter Session, you must complete the Winter Session housing application (beginning Oct. 27) found on the My Housing portal. Students living in the Christiana Towers Apartments, Executive Apartments or Graduate Student and Family Housing (Conover Apartments or Graduate House) don't need to fill out the application. There is no charge for Winter Session housing for undergraduate students living on campus fall or spring semester. 

Can I live on campus for just the Winter Session?

Yes, but only if you are an Associate in Arts student and will be taking a Newark campus class during Winter Session.  There is a $500 housing fee and a Winter Session housing application that is due by Nov. 10.  All others must either have lived on campus during the fall semester or have an application on file with a signed Student Housing Contract for the spring semester.

If I am not enrolled in a class during Winter Session, can I still live on campus?

Resident students not enrolled in a Winter Session course may request to live in the residence halls if they have a University-related reason to be on campus (such as University employment, research, sports participation, etc.).  Students living in Christiana Towers or in graduate or family housing (Conover Apartments or Graduate House) do not need to register for a course nor related activity to remain in those residences during Winter Session. 

Is there a housing fee for students living in graduate and family housing during Winter Session?

Students living in graduate or family housing (Conover Apartments or Graduate House) during Winter Session pay their normal monthly rate, but no increment related to whether or not they enroll in Winter Session. 

Is the Winter Meal Plan mandatory?

All students living in traditional residence halls or suites during Winter Session are required to purchase a full dining plan. If you do not select a plan, one will automatically be chosen and billed to you.  Students living in the Christiana Towers Apartments, Graduate Student and Family Housing (Conover Apartments or Graduate House) or off-campus may choose to sign up for any of the available dining plans, but are not required to do so.

Can students living off campus, in graduate or family housing or in the Christiana Towers sign up for the Winter Meal Plan?

Students living in Christiana Towers, graduate and family housing (Conover Apartments or Graduate House) or off campus may choose any of the plans offered, including packages of "All Points"; but they are not required to.  If you have unused points from the fall, they will be available for use during the Winter Session.  Any remaining points at the end of Winter Session carry over to the spring semester.  Then any unused points at the end of the spring semester are forfeited and have no refundable value.