Christmas closure – what you need to know

The University of Reading will close for the winter break from 23 December 2022 and will reopen on 3 January 2023.

Here is a roundup of what will and won’t be available on campus during the closure period, and how you can prepare for the Christmas break.

Campus services

• The IT Service Desk will be closed. More information about coverage over the Christmas break is available on the DTS Blog.
• The Library will be closed from 23 December, and reopen on 3 January with reduced hours until the start of term.
• Park Eat, by Windsor Hall, will be open every day 08:30 – 14:00 for breakfast and lunch – including Christmas Day. Other cafes and bars on campus will be closed for the Christmas break.
• The Co-op on Whiteknights campus is now closed and will reopen on Monday 2 January.
• You can find details of how student services will operate during the closure period on the UoR Student Life blog.  

 Accessing buildings over the closure period

• If you need to come onto campus over the closure period, please inform Security when you arrive and when you leave. You must give Security prior notice if you intend to come in - no access will be granted without this. 
• Please ensure you familiarise yourself with our Health & Safety policy on working outside of normal hours.

 Switch off and secure your workspace

• Switch off all non-essential electrical equipment and make sure your workspace is safe and secure before you leave:
• Secure all windows, close blinds and lock all doors. Where possible, move valuable items away from windows.
• Lock away as many valuable items as possible (including keys) and bank all cash.
• Thieves can be deterred by items that have been marked in some way, such as an address label or UV pen marking. It may not prevent theft, but can help deter potential theft if an item bears some kind of identification mark.
• Building managers should ensure alarms are in good working order and set for the duration of the closure period.
• Remove all equipment from University vehicles before parking them in car park 5. Please leave vehicle keys with Security, and ensure they are collected by 09:00, 3 January 2022.
• Update Security with any changes to your emergency call-out arrangements.

Out of Office messages

To make things simpler before you finish up for Christmas, we have prepared an Out of Office message you may wish to use. Feel free to tweak it to fit your own circumstance, such as being on annual leave before the closure officially begins or to reflect your working pattern.

Thank you for your email. The University is closed for Christmas between 23 December 2022 and 3 January 2023.

I will not be checking emails during this time and will respond to messages on my return.

If urgent, please contact [INSERT RELEVANT CONTACT DETAILS].

If your enquiry is a request under Freedom of Information or the Environmental Information Regulations then please redirect your email to imps@reading.ac.uk. 

[YOUR NAME]

 Useful contacts and links

• Security: emergency calls - 0118 378 6300. Non-emergency calls - 0118 378 7799. Email securitycontrol@reading.ac.uk. Security are based on the ground floor of Whiteknights House (north entrance).
• Health and Safety Services: Telephone 0118 378 8888. Email safety@reading.ac.uk. All health and safety policies are available on this page.
• Estates: Telephone 0118 378 7000. Email estates@reading.ac.uk. For emergencies please contact Security (see above).
• Employee Assistance Programme: Find details of the programme, including 24/7 support on offermailto:. Telephone 0800 085 1376. Email assist@cic-eap.co.uk.
• COVID-19 Staff FAQs - see the latest COVID-19 guidance for University staff.