Winter Break information
Policy Changes Pushed By StuGov
4 Sep
DOS Initial Announcement regarding Winter Break
Dean Stanfield announced that the College would not be able to cover the costs of SHN for international students who decided to go home during Winter and return back to campus for the next semester. For students who were currently overseas (i.e. on the waiver) and would be returning back to campus for the next semester, the College would still cover the costs of their SHN/swab test. You can find the email in your inbox entitled “[DOS Update 4 Sept 2020] Winter Break, Inspections & Emergency Funding”
11 Sep
ExCo Meeting with Dean Stanfield
During the meeting, StuGov explored the possibility for students who stayed on campus throughout summer to have their SHN/swab test costs covered should they choose to go home over the winter break and return back for the next semester. The College had previously covered the costs of SHN for students returning to campus for Sem 1. However, Dean Stanfield explained that the College offered to cover the costs because they had asked students to leave campus and return home in April. For winter, they were encouraging students to remain on campus.
17 Sep
VPSA Meeting with Dean Stanfield
Vice President of Student Activities (Gabi) met with Dean Stanfield to push for SHN financial assistance to be made available for students who stayed on campus throughout summer. She suggested using Stu Org Travel Funding, which would otherwise go to “waste” (go back to the endowment fund) because no travel funding was going to be approved for the rest of the academic year.
1 Oct
Dean Stanfield informed StuGov that financial assistance for students who stayed throughout the summer was possible
As the Travel Funding was technically under StuGov’s budget, all StuGov members were asked to give their blessing for the travel funding to be used for SHN/swab test financial assistance. The potential issues raised during the discussion were addressed and the members consented on the proposal.
2 Oct
ExCo Meeting with Dean Stanfield
During the meeting, StuGov pushed for butteries to be open so that students can cook for their meals, and to celebrate certain festivals involving home-cooked food.
2 Oct
ExCo Meeting with EVP Roberts
During the meeting, StuGov pushed for local students to be allowed to return to campus during the Winter break, so that they can organise and attend events with international students on campus.
5 Oct
EVP Roberts informed StuGov that local students would be allowed on campus over Winter
7 Oct
Oct Town Hall
Dean Stanfield announced for the first time that limited financial assistance would be provided for SHN/swab test for students who stayed on campus throughout the summer.
9 Oct
Buttery usage allowed
Dean Stanfield informed StuGov that butteries will be available for personal use over Winter.
9 Oct
DOS Announcement of Winter Housing and Waiver
Dean Stanfield announced the 1) availability of financial assistance for SHN, 2) buttery usage during Winter, and that 3) local students will be allowed on campus. Check your inbox for the email entitled “[DOS Update 9 Oct 2020] Winter Housing, Sem 2 and Campus Renovations“. You can also view the email here.
FAQs
Where can I find info regarding Winter Housing?
Please refer to the official Winter Housing FAQ by DOS here.
I am worried about food over the winter break. What are my options?
Financial assistance is available for living expenses over Winter and will be awarded based on students’ financial aid status. When applying for Winter Housing, indicate in the form that you require financial assistance for food. The butteries will also be available for personal cooking.
Can I organise events during Winter?
Yes! Student organisations and groups will be able to organise events over the Winter break for internationals and locals to participate in. Student organisation funds can be used during Winter. Additionally, groups can apply for Community Initiative Funding should they require more funds.
StuGov will be coordinating the scheduling of such events during Winter, to prevent overlaps and provide for a meaningful and vibrant Winter experience for students on campus. Do keep a look out for upcoming publicity on this!
P.S. Students not residing on campus will not be allowed to enter suites.
What is StuOrg Travel Funding and why is it being used for SHN financial assistance?
StuOrg Travel Funding is typically used to fund overseas learning experiences for Student Organisations (e.g. conferences, competitions). This academic year, the funding cannot be used as the College is not allowing travel for such events. The funds would thus go to “waste” as it would return to the endowment.
Thus, StuGov pushed for the funds to be redirected towards providing SHN financial assistance for students who remained on campus throughout semester and would like to go home for Winter and return back for the next semester. After DOS agreed to this proposal on 1 Oct 2020, an overwhelming majority of StuGov members gave their blessing for the funds to be redirected (as the funding is technically under StuGov’s budget).
I am currently on the waiver and will be flying back to Singapore for Sem 2. Will the College cover the costs of SHN/swab test?
Yes, the college will fully reimburse the costs of SHN and swab test, as long as you had left Singapore before May 29. Do wait out for more information from Student Services that is expected to be sent out on Fri, 19 Oct.
I am currently on the waiver and will be flying back to Singapore for Sem 2. Will I be able to move back to my original suite?
If you were originally allocated a room for Sem 1 and the room is still vacant, you will be allocated to the same room. If the room is no longer vacant / you did not originally have a room, DOS will reach out to you asking for your housing preferences. You will be allowed to 1) choose a suite that has vacancies or 2) submit living preferences and be allocated a room via MatchMe.
I am currently on the waiver and will be flying back to Singapore for Sem 2. Will I be able to move back to campus earlier?
Yes, students returning back to campus will be able to move in earlier (may not need to pay extra if it’s a couple of days earlier). You will be contacted soon regarding the timeline and instructions for returning back to campus.
I am thinking about flying home for Winter and then returning back to Singapore for Sem 2. Will the College cover the costs of SHN/swab test?
The college will provide limited financial assistance if you meet certain criteria (more info here). The amount of financial assistance will be based on your current financial aid status. Do wait out for more information that is expected to be sent out on Fri, 16 Oct.
Will I be able to serve my SHN at Yale-NUS?
Students cannot explicitly choose to serve their SHN at Yale-NUS, as the location is assigned by MOE.
Road to 2021 Timeline
9 Oct, Fri
DOS Announcement of Winter Housing and Waiver
Check your inbox for the email entitled “[DOS Update 9 Oct 2020] Winter Housing, Sem 2 and Campus Renovations“. You can also view the email here.
16 Oct, Fri
Email to international students
These students will receive an email outlining the process for travelling over the winter break and the criteria for financial assistance. This email has been sent: “Travelling Home over the Winter Break for International Students“.
16 Oct, Fri
19 Oct, Mon
Email to students currently on the waiver
These students will receive an email outlining the timeline and instructions for returning to campus, including re-entry approval (if overseas).
2 Nov, Mon
Applications for Winter Housing and Waiver begins
Winter Housing FAQ available here.
2 Nov, Mon
8 Nov, Sun
Deadline for Winter Housing and Waiver applications
Milestone Content goes here
7 Dec, Mon
Move-Out Deadline / Winter Housing Begins
7 Dec, Mon
Winter Break
Events organised by the College, StuGov, StuOrgs and other groups
StuGov will be reaching out to students soon to coordinate the scheduling of Winter events.
Winter Break
Returning upper-class students / first-years move back to campus
Returning upper-class students / first-years will be allowed to move back earlier, based on their origin country and corresponding length of SHN.
Winter Break
7 Jan ’21, Thu
Move-In Day
11 Jan ’21, Mon
AY20/21 Sem 2 Begins
11 Jan ’21, Mon
Late Jan
Payment for Winter Housing
Need Help?
Resources
[DOS Update 9 Oct 2020] Winter Housing, Sem 2 and Campus Renovations
Oct Town Hall Minutes (includes various questions regarding Winter, returning back to campus and Sem 2)
Contact College Staff
Housing Questions: housing@yale-nus.edu.sg
Financial Assistance / Billing Questions: Student Services (studenthelp@yale-nus.edu.sg), DOS
General Enquiries: Dean of Students Office (deanofstudents@yale-nus.edu.sg)
Contact Student Government
Speak to the Senate Form (more info here): http://tiny.cc/speaktothesenate
Send us an Email: studentgovernment@u.yale-nus.edu.sg