How is it the final week of November already?  I know it’s getting much colder and I am spending a lot of time in woolly jumpers at the moment, but, still, how is it December next week? It really doesn’t seem that long ago that you were all arriving with us and now there are only two and half weeks left of term and on Saturday 13 December, we wave a fond farewell to our students living within catered accommodation until they return in January 2015. For more information on what to do if you are a catered student who has to vacate for Christmas, please visit the moving out pages of our website.

If any students currently living within catered accommodation require somewhere to stay, on campus, during the Christmas vacation (13 December 2014 – 4 January 2015). Please come and visit us within The Forum (via SID) Monday-Friday between 10:00am-4:00pm or log an enquiry through SID to register your interest in applying for a room for this period. Please note that the accommodation options available will be self-catered rooms only for a minimum contract length of four weeks.

Self-catered students are able to remain in their accommodation for the vacation period. Whether you are returning home or staying on campus over the Christmas vacation, please refer to the newsletter which will be sent to to you by your residence reception this week. A copy of this will be available on our website from the beginning of December.

Please see our Christmas Vacation Useful Information 2014 to see what you can do over Christmas. To find out the opening times of your reception this Christmas please see the Residence Reception Christmas Vacation Opening Times 2014. To see which University of Exeter facilities are open over Christmas please see our website for further information.

Many of you are still concerned about housing for next year and what to do, my advice to you is to read last week’s blog post for information on what needs to be done at this stage. Also, check out the Students’ Guild website for more help and advice about house hunting.

Now on to a good news story and a big well done to staff at Birks Grange (Housekeeping, Caterering and Reception Team) who were able to raise £226.72 for Children in Need. Students were able to come to dinner in their pyjamas and staff all participated by wearing something spotty on Friday 14 November.

Accommodation Catherine