Winter Break Schedule 2026-2027
In response to employee feedback, a University of Toledo winter break schedule became
effective in December 2017 to provide eligible UToledo employees extra days off to
rest when most departments are operationally slow - from Dec. 25, Christmas Day, through
Jan. 1, New Year’s Day.
WINTER BREAK POLICY
During winter break, certain essential services must still be provided on our campuses, such as hospital operations at UTMC, approved research activities and public safety. Therefore, winter break does not include UTMC employees nor certain required positions, which might vary annually depending on need.
If you are eligible for winter break but are required to work because you provide an essential service, your supervisor will notify you well in advance.
In addition to existing holiday pay, UToledo will provide enough additional paid days off to eligible employees, as indicated in the schedule below. For additional details, please review the Official UToledo Winter Break Policy.
THE 2026-2027 WINTER BREAK DATES INCLUDE:
- Thursday, Dec. 24 – Holiday (Columbus Day)
- Friday, Dec. 25 – Holiday (Christmas)
- Monday, Dec. 28 – Paid day off provided for winter break
- Tuesday, Dec. 29 – Paid day off provided for winter break
- Wednesday, Dec. 30 – Paid day off provided for winter break
- Thursday, Dec. 31 - Paid day off provided for winter break
- Friday, Jan. 1- Holiday (New Year’s Day)
Employees who work during winter break should track hours using the electronic timekeeping system.
If you have questions after reading the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below, please contact your Human Resources Business Partner.
WINTER BREAK SCHEDULE: FAQs
Q. What if I need to work during winter break, such as to conduct ongoing research
that cannot be delayed until after the break?
A. Employees should take this time off to relax and recharge before spring semester commences. However, if you cannot take winter break because of research, for instance, you are not prohibited from working. All designated service areas must be pre-approved by senior leadership. If your work area cannot close during winter break, employees who work on a designated winter break day will have the opportunity to use the additional days off provided by the University at another time during the year. However, the winter break days must be used by June 30 the following year.
Q. Will administrative offices be open if there is an emergency during winter break?
A. Administrative offices will be closed; however, designated individuals will be on call to respond if an urgent matter arises.
Q. Are there any departments or clinics on the Health Science Campus that will be closed during winter break?
A. The University of Toledo Medical Center and its operations must remain open for our patients and guests. A limited number of offices will be closed on the Health Science Campus during winter break because they are academic, non-hospital or non-patient care areas. Leaders of those departments are responsible for ensuring their students, team members, customers, vendors and other stakeholders know in advance that they will be closed during winter break. Their email and voicemail messages also should inform customers of the specific closure dates.
Q. Before I leave my office for winter break, are there things I should do to safeguard my work area?
A. All faculty and staff are encouraged to leave their work areas clean, including taking food home. Also, please close all windows and doors, and shut down computers, monitors, printers and other similar equipment (except LAN servers and network devices). Portable space heaters, coffee pots, fans, radios and other non-essential equipment should be turned off and unplugged. If you notice any water fixtures are leaking or dripping, or any other maintenance issues, please contact Facilities at 419-530-1000 or submit a maintenance request as far in advance of winter break as possible so these issues may be addressed appropriately.
Q. I work on Main Campus and don't have essential business to conduct during the winter break closure; however, I want to catch up on work before spring semester. May I work on campus?
A. Office access will be restricted and operations limited to help reduce utility costs and other related expenses. Unless you are pre-approved by your department leadership to be on campus because your work cannot be interrupted by winter break – for instance, because you have research that would be adversely impacted – you should not be on campus during winter break. This break was established to promote health and well-being, so please take advantage of it.
Q. If I must be on Main Campus and have been pre-approved by leadership to work during winter break, will there be lights and heating in my building?
A. Facilities and maintenance operations will be very limited on Main Campus during winter break. Therefore, if there is a reason why your work area must remain heated, maintain a certain level of humidity, etc., be sure your department leadership has made arrangements with Facilities (419-530-1000 or via a maintenance request) well in advance of winter break so these needs can be met.
Q. If there’s a snowstorm during winter break, will sidewalks and parking lots be cleared?
A. A limited crew will be available to clear walks and surface lots should there be severe weather during this time to help ensure the safety of those few individuals who must be on campus. However, these services will be limited. Campus-wide plowing and maintenance will not be done to the full extent as when offices are open and classes are in session.
Q. Are sample voicemail and out-of-office email messages available?
A. To best serve your customers, whether its students, alumni, consumers or other UToledo stakeholders, all department/office and individual voicemail and out-of-office email messages should let them know that UToledo is closed for winter break. Examples of messages you may want to use are below.
Sample voicemail message for office or department: “Thank you for calling The University of Toledo’s (office/department). The University is closed for winter break. Please call back after New Year’s Day or visit our website at (website URL). Thank you.”
Sample voicemail for individual’s work phone: “You have reached the voicemail for (name) at The University of Toledo. The University is closed for winter break. Please leave your name, number and a brief message after the tone, and I will return your call after New Year's Day. Thank you.”
Sample out-of-office email message: “Thank you for your message. The University of Toledo is closed for winter break. If your message requires a response, I will reply after New Year's Day during normal business hours.”
Q. Who should notify contractors, vendors and other individuals who work with various University departments that their services may not be needed during winter break?
A. Each college or department should notify those vendors, contractors and other individuals who provide services, supplies or products directly to their departments that UToledo offices will be closed.
Q. Will Purchasing, Receiving, Mail Services and other such departments be open during winter break?
A. Shipping and Receiving for Main Campus and academics on Health Science Campus will be closed. Please plan your purchases accordingly and work with purchasing to ensure any deliveries occur during the week prior to winter break. Be cognizant of perishable needs and do not place orders that may end up sitting until after New Year's Day in UPS or FedEx hubs.
Purchasing and receiving for The University of Toledo Medical Center and clinics will run operations as usual during winter break, with no interruption to service.
University-wide mail services will be running a reduced schedule. Mail will only pick up and deliver to The Richards Road campus, the Pharmacies, Records Retention, the Coroner and Health Science Campus Receiving. The Main Campus Mail window will be open 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Q. As an employee or faculty member, will I be able to use our on-campus recreation facilities during winter break?
A. The Recreation Center on Main Campus will be closed during winter break, resuming normal business hours after New Year's Day. The Morse Fitness Center on the Health Science Campus will be closed December 24 and 25 and closed on January 1.
Q. If I am not impacted by this winter break schedule (because I work at UTMC, for instance), do I receive additional paid days off per year?
A. No. Winter break is the shutdown of the University during a time when many activities are generally slow. Because our hospital must operate 24/7 every day of the year, UTMC employees do not have winter break. The same holds true for other essential operations, such as providing safety on all our campuses.