Recess Housing

2025-2026 Academic Year Recesses

Note: Students who have a UAlbany class on Saturday, March 21, 2026, can make special arrangements with Residential Life for Spring Break 2026. Please contact your Quad Information Center for more information.

How do I get approved for Recess Housing? 

Before each Break/Intersession period a link will be posted below where Residents can apply for Recess Housing. Residents will also receive notification via email as well.

Recess Housing Applications are posted to this webpage when they become available (typically a few weeks before an upcoming recess). The Winter Intersession 25-26 Housing Application will open on Tuesday December 2nd, 2025, at 12PM, and close Monday December 15th, 2025, at 9PM.

Please note: Residents who do not live in a recess building, may apply for a space in Waterbury, or Alden Hall on Alumni Quad.  Rooms are filled on a first served basis based upon need, and availability.  These spaces are limited, and available for those who need housing for the entirety of the break period.  Short term housing for non-recess building residents will not be provided.  Accepted residents will have a roommate for the intersession period.

Please understand that residents who do not live in an open recess building will not be permitted to stay late, arrive early, or be assigned a space on Alumni Quad after the Winter Intersession 25-26 Application closes.  

We encourage students to consider Recess Housing when they apply for Academic Year Housing.
 

University Apartments

Freedom Apartments, Liberty Terrace and Empire Commons stay open for current residents during Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break and Spring Break.  

Students who live in on-campus apartments do not need to apply or be approved for recess housing to access their on-campus housing during recess periods.

Note: Students who have been approved for a housing release after they complete the fall semester are ineligible for recess housing during the Intersession and must follow move-out procedures as directed. 
 

Residence Halls (Quads)

Students must apply and be approved for recess housing to remain in residence halls on Alumni Quad, State Quad, Indigenous Quad, Colonial Quad and Dutch Quad during Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break and Spring Break. Recess housing application are posted here ahead of scheduled recess periods. 

After submitting the application, you’ll receive an email to your @albany.edu address explaining whether you have been approved or denied for recess housing. 

If you do not have recess housing approval, your UAlbany ID card will be deactivated for the duration of the break. You must vacate your room or suite no later than 24 hours after your last class or exam. You may leave your personal belongings in your room at your own risk. 

Note: Students who have been approved for a housing release after they complete the fall semester are ineligible for recess housing during the Intersession and must follow move-out procedures as directed.