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2025-2026 Opening/Closing Dates

Residence Life and Housing is pleased to share the following dates related to the opening and closing of our residential communities for the 2025-2026 Academic Year. Please note these dates are subject to change.

A full 2025-2026 Academic Calendar will be made available here. The summer schedule can be found here.

Information for Academic Year 2025-2026

For those who wish to make travel arrangements now for 2025-26, please see the following dates below.

Please note that due to the limited time between semesters, we are unable to offer extensions to closing dates and, at times, may be limited in our ability to honor early arrival requests. We encourage students to consider choosing flexible travel options in the unlikely event that dates change.

Fall 2025 Dates

Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16 – Pre-Orientation Move-In
- Students will receive their move-in instructions (including date and time frame) in mid-July after program enrollment, from Residence Life and Housing.
- Check-in will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Move-in assistance will be available from 9 a.m. to noon for incoming students ONLY on Saturday, August 16.
Tuesday, August 19 – New International Student Move-In
- Students will receive their move-in instructions (including date and time frame) in mid-July from Residence Life and Housing.
- Check-in will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; move-in assistance will not be available.
Wednesday, August 20 – New Student Move-In
- Check-In and Move-In Assistance will be available from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- All students are encouraged to move in by 12 p.m., but late arrivals must plan to arrive between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
- Students will see their suggested move-in windows in late July 2025 when they receive their housing assignments via the Housing Portal.
Wednesday, August 20 through Friday, August 22 – Orientation Activities (i.e. New Deac Week)
Thursday, August 21 through Saturday, August 23 – Continuing Student Move-In
- Check-in will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Continuing students can move in on whichever day best fits their schedule.
Monday, August 25 – Classes Begin
Saturday, December 13 – Last Day of Exams
Sunday, December 14 – Communities close at 2 p.m. for Winter Break (unless approved for Winter Break Housing)

Spring 2026 Dates

Tuesday, January 6 – 9 a.m. Sorority Recruitment Early Arrivals
Friday, January 9
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Move-in for students moving on to campus for the first time this academic year
Saturday, January 10
- 9 a.m. – Communities open for all students to return
Monday, January 12 – Classes Begin
Wednesday, April 29 – Last Day of Classes and Move-Out Begins
Saturday, May 9 – Last Day of Exams
Sunday, May 10 – Communities close @ 2 p.m. for non-seniors (unless approved for Interim Housing)
Monday, May 18 – Commencement
Tuesday, May 19 – Communities close @ 9 a.m. for seniors and those not approved for Interim Housing

Summer 2025

Tuesday, May 27 – Summer School 1 Move-In
- Summer School Housing will be in Bostwick and Johnson Halls
Wednesday, May 29 – Summer School 1 Begins
- Interim Housing Closes
Thursday, July 3 – Summer School 1 Close
- Students moving out must be out by 2 pm
Monday, July 7 – Summer School 2 Move-In
Tuesday, July 8 – Summer School 2 Begins
Sunday, August 10 – Summer School 2 Close
- Students moving out must be out by 2 pm
Monday, August 11 – Transition Day
- For those students who are living on campus will transition directly to their Fall housing between the hours of 9 am – 2 pm.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at housing@wfu.edu or 336.758.5185.

2026-2027 Opening/Closing Dates

Residence Life and Housing is pleased to share the following dates related to the opening and closing of our residential communities for the 2026-2027 Academic Year. Please note these dates are subject to change.

A full 2026-2027 Academic Calendar will be made available here. The summer schedule can be found here.

Information for Academic Year 2026-2027

For those who wish to make travel arrangements now for 2026-27, please see the following dates below.

Summer 2026

Tuesday, May 26 – Summer School 1 Move-In
- Summer School Housing will be in Bostwick and Johnson Halls
Wednesday, May 27 – Summer School 1 Begins
- Interim Housing Closes
Thursday, July 2 – Summer School 1 Close
- Students moving out must be out by 2 pm
Monday, July 6 – Summer School 2 Move-In
Tuesday, July 7 – Summer School 2 Begins
Sunday, August 9 – Summer School 2 Close
- Students moving out must be out by 2 pm
Monday, August 10 – Transition Day
- For those students who are living on campus will transition directly to their Fall housing between the hours of 9 am – 2 pm.

Fall 2026 Dates

Thursday, August 13
- Check-In at the LJVM is from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Wilderness to Wake and Marching Band Move-In
  - No move-in assistance available
- Forest Guides (OTP Student Staff) Move-In
Friday, August 14
- Check-In at LJVM is from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  - Move-In Assistance from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- All other Pre-Orientation programs Move-In
Tuesday, August 18 – New Student Move-In
- Check-In at LJVM begins at 7:45 a.m.
  - Students will receive their assigned move-in window when they receive their housing assignment over the summer
- Move-In Assistance from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Late Arrivals from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Tuesday, August 18 through Friday, August 21 – Orientation Activities (i.e. New Deac Week)
Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22 – Continuing Student Move-In
- Check-in will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Continuing students can move in on whichever day best fits their schedule.
  - Check-in will not be available on Thursday, August 20 so please plan accordingly
Monday, August 24 – Classes Begin
Tuesday, December 15 – Last Day of Exams
Wednesday, December 16 – Communities close at 2 p.m. for Winter Break (unless approved for Winter Break Housing)

Spring 2027 Dates

Tuesday, January 5 – Sorority Recruitment Early Arrivals
Friday, January 8
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Move-in for students moving on to campus for the first time this academic year
Saturday, January 9
- 9 a.m. – Communities open for all students to return
Monday, January 11 – Classes Begin
Monday, April 26– Last Day of Classes and Move-Out Begins
Wednesday, May 5 – Last Day of Exams
Thursday, May 6 – Communities close @ 2 p.m. for non-seniors (unless approved for Interim Housing)
Monday, May 17 – Commencement
Tuesday, May 18 – Communities close @ 9 a.m. for seniors and those not approved for Interim Housing

If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at housing@wfu.edu or 336.758.5185.

December 2025 Parent & Family Newsletter

Winter Break Reminders for Families

The holiday season is here, and soon many of our Deacs will be making their way home. As we approach Winter Break, we want to share helpful reminders to support you and your student as they prepare for time away from campus and look ahead to the Spring 2026 semester.

Preparing for Break

Please encourage your student to check their Wake Forest email regularly. We’ve sent instructions outlining best practices for preparing their room before leaving for an extended break, including our helpful “3 P’s”:

Pack what they need for the break and for a smooth return
Plan ahead for travel and January move-in
Protect their space and belongings before departure

Students must depart campus by 2 p.m. on December 14.
Students approved for Winter Break Housing have already received their housing assignment and information about on-campus resources available during the break.

University & Office Closures

The University and Residence Life and Housing will close at 3 p.m. on Friday, December 19
We will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, January 5

Spring 2026 Move-In & Semester Start

Please share the following dates with your Deac as they prepare for their return in January:

Tuesday, January 6

10 a.m.–1 p.m. – Sorority Recruitment Actives Move-In
1:30–4 p.m. – Potential New Members Move-In

Friday, January 9

9 a.m.–4 p.m. – Move-In for students returning to campus for the first time this academic year

Saturday, January 10

9 a.m. – Move-In for all returning students, including those moving onto campus for the first time this academic year

Monday, January 12

First day of Spring 2026 classes

For additional key dates, please visit the University’s 2026 Academic Calendar.

Looking Ahead: 2026–27 Housing Selection

Housing Applications for the 2026–27 academic year will open January 21, with housing selection taking place in April. More details will be shared directly with students in the spring, along with opportunities to attend Housing Selection information sessions.

During winter break, families can support their Deac by encouraging them to think through questions such as:

Where would I prefer to live next year?
What are realistic expectations based on my housing credits?
Who do I want to live with—and is living with a best friend the best fit?
Am I considering applying to be an RA?
If I’m interested in studying abroad, when might that work best?

Our 2026–27 Housing Selection schedule for current students is available here, and our 2026–2027 planning dates can be found here.

Resident Adviser Position for 2026–27

If your student is seeking a meaningful leadership opportunity, we hope they will consider applying to be a Resident Adviser. RAs play an important role in creating supportive residential communities and receive:

A $5,700 stipend for the ten-month position
A single room at a discounted rate

Students can learn more and apply through their Housing Portal. Applications are due January 14, 2026.

We hope your Deac finishes the semester strong and enjoys a well-deserved and restful break. We look forward to welcoming them back to campus in January for a new semester filled with new experiences and opportunities.

Wishing your family a warm and joyful holiday season. Go Deacs!

Surprise Care Package

As spring begins, it’s the perfect time to send your student a little extra joy. Our specially curated care packages are designed to brighten their day and give their week a much-needed lift—right when they need it most.

Each package is filled with thoughtful items your student will love. You can even choose a package plan to surprise them again later this academic year, creating moments of connection from miles away.

Ordering is quick and easy:
Visit https://www.swaku.com/wfu-care to select a package and include a heartfelt note your student will see first when they open it.

Order by February 28 to ensure your student receives a package—these go fast!

Thank you for helping make this season a little brighter, a little sweeter, and a lot more meaningful for your student.

Spring Finals Care Package

As spring finals approach, your student is entering one of the most demanding times of the year. Long nights and heavy workloads can add up—and that’s where a finals care package can make a real difference.

Each package is filled with comforting, classic snacks your student can count on during late-night study sessions or when they need a quick boost.

And the personalized encouragement card? That’s often their favorite part. A few heartfelt words from home can bring calm, confidence, and motivation when it matters most.

Order today at https://www.swaku.com/wfu-care.
Orders close April 1, and packages go fast.

Thank you for helping turn a stressful week into a meaningful moment of encouragement for your student.

January 2026 Parent & Family Newsletter

Happy New Year from Residence Life & Housing!

We hope your January is off to a great start and that your Deac is settling back into life in The Forest smoothly. As we begin the Spring 2026 semester, Residence Life and Housing is sharing important housing information and key dates to help students plan ahead—especially as we look toward Housing Selection for the 2026–27 academic year.

Housing Application is Now Open

The 2026–27 Housing Application opened on January 12 for current students and is the first required step in the housing selection process.

Through the application, students will:

Update their student profile
Confirm contact and emergency information
Set privacy preferences
Indicate housing intentions (on-campus or off-campus, if eligible)

We strongly encourage students to complete this step as soon as it opens, as it is required to move forward in the housing selection process and allows students time to think proactively about next steps.

Planning Ahead by Class Year

The application also helps students begin thinking intentionally about next year’s living plans based on residency requirements:

Rising Sophomores
Begin exploring on-campus housing options and forming roommate groups.
Rising Juniors
Students interested in moving off-campus before completing the residency requirement may enter the Off-Campus Lottery through the application.
Rising Seniors
Seniors are required to complete their Senior Intent by February 1 to inform our office of their intentions to live on or off-campus.

Important reminder:
Students considering moving off-campus before senior year should not sign leases or finalize plans until Off-Campus Lottery outcomes are released by February 13, 2026.

Finally, the University continues to plan for the future of the residential experience. Stay tuned for an exciting announcement about expanded opportunities available in Fall 2027.

Support for Current Housing

As students return to campus, we encourage them to remain attentive to their current housing experience. If concerns arise—such as roommate issues or changes in comfort or safety—students should reach out to their Community Director for guidance and support.

For full details on the room change process, visit our Room Changes website.

If a concern comes up—such as a maintenance or facility issue—students should submit a maintenance request online or by calling 336-758-4255. When submitting a request, please include as much detail as possible to help staff respond quickly and effectively.

If a student loses their key and needs a replacement, they should submit a lock recore request.

Spring 2026 Dates to Know

As you plan ahead, please note the following:

Saturday, May 9: Last day of exams
Sunday, May 10: Residential communities close at 2 p.m.
(for students not involved in commencement unless approved for Interim Housing)
Monday, May 18: Commencement
Tuesday, May 18: Commencement
- Residential communities close at 9 a.m. for all students except those approved for continued Interim Housing

Opening and closing dates for the 2026–27 academic year are now live. We encourage students to consider flexible travel options when possible.

Valentine’s Day Care Packages

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to make your student smile! Surprise them with a Valentine’s Day care package filled with goodies they’ll love—the kind of unexpected gift that brightens their whole week and reminds them they’re supported from afar. Visit our website to learn more. The order deadline is January 24.

Questions?

We’re happy to help!
📧 housing@wfu.edu
📞 336.758.5185 (business hours)

We’re so glad to have our Deacs back in the community and look forward to all the Spring semester has to offer!

Spring 2026 Communications

To view our Spring 2026 Communications, please click below:

Thursday, February 5

Confirm Housing Status and Off-Campus Lottery Extension (3 or 4 Housing Credits)

Monday, January 26

Thursday, January 22

Affiliate Housing Options Coming Fall 2027

Thursday, January 15

Upcoming Below Freezing Temperatures

Wednesday, January 14

New Laundry Machines

Tuesday, January 13

Apply to be a 26-27 RA- due Jan 21

Monday, January 12

Monday, December 15

Planning Ahead: Housing Considerations for Fall 2026 Study Abroad Students

Dear Wake Forest Families,

We know you have received many communications from Wake Forest over the past week, given the snow and ice we have experienced, and we normally try to give your inboxes a break. However, we have a couple of upcoming housing-related processes your students will experience, and we want to ensure families are well informed about them.

As we hope you know, Wake Forest has a long-standing commitment to global education, with more than 80% of students participating in study abroad or study away programs in recent years. As families begin planning for Fall 2026 study abroad, we want to share important information about housing considerations for students who may return to campus in Spring 2027.

We know housing decisions can feel stressful, particularly when a student is away from campus. We are sharing this information early, so families and students can plan thoughtfully and avoid last-minute decisions.

Why Housing Requires Early Planning

Each year, many juniors choose to study abroad during the fall semester. While this is an exciting and valuable experience, it also means many students return to campus at the same time in the spring.

Residence Life and Housing works diligently to support students who remain under Wake Forest’s six-semester residency requirement, while on-campus housing availability for Spring 2027 will be limited. As a result:

Not all students returning from abroad will be able to live on campus
Roommate choice cannot be guaranteed
Many students choose to live off campus after returning from a semester abroad

To help manage demand fairly, Wake Forest offers an Off-Campus Lottery, a long-standing process that allows eligible students to request a release from the residency requirement.

Important for families: Students should not sign an off-campus lease unless they have received written confirmation from Residence Life and Housing that they have been released from the residency requirement.

What Happens While Your Student Is Abroad

Students studying abroad in Fall 2026 will hear directly from Residence Life and Housing beginning in October 2026. At that time, students will submit a Spring Intent Form indicating whether they plan to:

Return to campus housing
Remain abroad
Request to live off campus

Based on these responses, Residence Life and Housing will guide students through the appropriate next steps, whether that is spring housing selection or the Off-Campus Lottery.

At this time, no action is required from families or students who plan to return to on-campus housing for Spring 2027.

Key Dates for Families to Be Aware Of

February 1, 2026
Students may apply for the first phase of the Off-Campus Lottery for Spring 2027.

Decisions are shared by February 13
Students studying abroad may also choose to apply during a second phase in October 2026

March 31, 2026
Deadline to withdraw from Fall 2026 study abroad if a student wishes to participate in the 2026–27 Housing Selection process in April.

October 2026
Residence Life and Housing opens the Spring Intent process for all students, including those studying abroad.

December 2026
Spring-Only Housing Selection takes place for students returning from Fall 2026 study abroad.

On-Campus Housing Options for Spring 2027

A newly-renovated Babcock Hall will reopen in January 2027, providing just over 200 beds for students returning from abroad
Additional housing across campus will be very limited
Students returning from abroad are often placed in rooms with available space, which may include roommates they did not select or previously know

Understanding the Off-Campus Option

Residence Life and Housing recognizes that students’ living preferences may change after studying abroad. The Off-Campus Lottery supports these evolving needs and has been part of Wake Forest’s housing system for many years.

Families are encouraged to talk with their students about both on-campus and off-campus possibilities so decisions are not made while the student is overseas.

Common Family Questions

Will Wake Forest require my student to live off campus before completing the residency requirement?
The University works closely across departments to house all students who are still under the residency requirement and wish to live on campus. While spring housing availability is limited, Wake Forest has historically met this obligation.

To date, RLH has been able to house everyone, even during spring semesters. On-campus inventory (which can be low) has historically been offset by a high proportion of juniors wanting to live off campus upon returning from abroad.

Why does the University say many returning students should not expect on-campus housing?
In recent years, approximately 800 students have studied abroad during the fall semester. Historically, many of those students have preferred to live off campus when they return to Winston-Salem, and RLH accounts for that in our occupancy planning. We share this information early so families and students can plan with clarity whether to apply to the off-campus lottery, and they have more time to secure housing.

How do costs differ if my student lives off campus?

Students living off campus are not charged for on-campus housing
Meal plans are optional for off-campus students
Financial aid generally does not change. Families with questions should contact:
- Student Financial Aid: finaid@wfu.edu | 336.758.5154
- Scholars Office (for scholarship residency requirements): wfscholars@wfu.edu | 336.758.4497

We appreciate your partnership as we support students in pursuing meaningful global experiences and in carefully planning their return to campus. Please encourage your student to review messages from Residence Life and Housing and to reach out to them at housing@wfu.edu with questions as they arise.

Best –

Zach Blackmon, Ph.D.
Director of Operations
Residence Life and Housing

Off-Campus Lottery Extension

This email was sent to those with 3 or 4 housing credits

Hello,

With the winter weather causing various delays, our office has decided to reopen the Off-Campus Lottery for students who are seeking an early release from the University’s residency requirement. If you would like to enter the Off-Campus Lottery, please submit your entry through the Housing Portal no later than Tuesday, February 10.

What should you do now?

- Enter the Housing Portal and confirm that your housing application is correct. You can find this under “My Housing” and “Fall and/or Spring”
  - For example is your application On-Campus for the 2026-27 Academic Year or Study Abroad for Fall 2026, etc.

If you are going abroad, please ensure that you sign your abroad agreement.

Confirm your entry into the Off-Campus Lottery if you would like to continue to be considered for release.
- If you need assistance with entering and/or confirming your entry into the Off-Campus Lottery, please view this step-by-step guide.
(If Applicable) Confirm that all members of your Off-Campus Lottery group have accepted the group invitation and have fully completed their entry into the Off-Campus Lottery (they will have received a confirmation email from our office).
- If you plan to live off campus with specific roommates, forming a complete roommate group is strongly encouraged. Doing so is the best way to help ensure that everyone you intend to live with is released from the residency requirement at the same time.

You will receive an update regarding the status of your lottery entry by Friday, February 13.

If you have any questions or experience difficulty completing the process, our office is happy to help, please contact us at housing@wfu.edu.