Happy New Year! We are very excited to welcome you and your students to the spring semester at F&M! Explore these few items of interest that will be helpful for you to know.

Updated Parent & Family Website 

In December of this year, the Parent & Family website was updated to include several new resources, as well a calendar of deadlines and dates for the semester to come. We will be updating this calendar regularly to keep you apprised of any upcoming deadlines that may impact your students. 

We aspire to make this a helpful resource when you have questions. As always, please feel free to reach out to families@fand.edu if you have any specific questions, and we will connect you with the folks who can best help.

Explore the parents and family page

College Breaks 

Throughout the academic year, the College has a series of planned breaks when there are no classes. During those breaks, campus services (including dining services) have limited access, changes in hours, or are closed. The next break in the College’s calendar will be Spring Break 2025, beginning Friday, March 7, at 4:30 p.m., and ending Monday, March 17, at 8 a.m. Registration to remain on campus for Spring Break 2025 will close on Thursday, Feb. 27, at noon.  

Departing Campus and Airport Shuttles

To assist students with transportation to leave campus, the College offers shuttle services to the Baltimore (BWI) and Philadelphia (PHL) airports during most breaks. For additional information, please visit the transportation page of the F&M website. The Amtrak train station is located .6 miles from campus. For additional information about prices and to reserve a seat on the train, please visit the Amtrak website. Your student can view fees and reserve a seat on Inside F&M, the College’s internal website.

Registering to Stay on Campus During Planned Breaks

If your student lives in a College-owned residence (College Houses, Thomas, Schnader, Dietz, 560 W. James, or Wellness, Sustainability and Harbaugh Houses) and intends to stay on campus for one or more breaks this year, they must register for each break. Students living in off-campus residences may remain in their apartment throughout the academic year. FYI: For all breaks, including winter recess, departing students may leave their belongings in their assigned rooms.

Dining Services and Meal Plans during Planned Breaks

Semester meal plans do not include break periods. Special “Break Dining” plans may be required for students staying for Thanksgiving Break and Winter Recess. Students experiencing food insecurity may be eligible for fee waivers and additional support.

Other Campus Services

The safety and security of students who stay on campus is always a priority. However, during planned breaks there are some differences in the way the college operates: 

• Common area kitchens in College Houses may have limited access. 
• Overnight guests are not permitted in residence halls and College-owned properties. 
• Custodial Services and Facilities & Operations operate on a reduced schedule.
• Lancaster Loop Shuttle Service runs on a reduced schedule. 
• The Student Wellness Center (SWC) will have restricted hours and may be closed for a portion of a break. Hours for the SWC are available on their website. 
• Public Safety personnel walk through all College buildings over the break.

2025-2026 Academic Year Breaks

To help you with your planning, here are the dates and times for breaks during the 2025-2026 academic year (next year):

• Fall Break: Friday, Oct. 10, at 4:30 p.m. to Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 8 a.m.  
• Thanksgiving Break: Friday, Nov. 21, at 4:30 p.m. to Monday, Dec. 1, at 8 a.m.
• Winter Recess: Monday, Dec. 15, at 11 a.m. to Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at 8 a.m.
  Spring Term classes begin Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 8 a.m.
• Spring Break 2026: Friday, March 13, at 4:30 p.m. to Monday, March 23, at 8 a.m.