“The one thing we always ask our residents to do is to take somebody home that may not be able to go home,” said Tim Knight, housing operations manager for Brody Complex.

“Some people enjoy being up here when it’s nice and quiet and they can study, but I think most people would just as soon go to someone else’s place.”

Students who stay in the dorms during the long weekend check out a key, which allows them to gain access to the dorm through the front door.

Knight added that only the Owen Hall cafeteria will operate at reduced hours during Thanksgiving break.

Meal plans won’t be accepted, but students can dine using cash or Spartan Cash.

Hawthorne plans to spend Thanksgiving Day with her family in Ithaca, and then return to the dorms that same evening.

“I’m really excited to have alone time and not have to spend time on classes or homework,” she said.

“I know a few other people who are going to be staying on campus and I feel like my dorm is pretty safe because it’s going to be locked.”

Knight said an assistant hall director will be available for students during the break. Resident mentors typically aren’t required to stay, but there will be at least one mentor on duty for each of the halls from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Zvezda Trajkovski, a third-floor mentor in Mason Hall, will be going home for break but recommends that students who stay on campus take time to relax or get a head start on studying for finals.

For students who remain on campus for the holiday, the annual “Homies Giving” will be held from 2-5 p.m. Thursday in Brody Hall’s multipurpose rooms.

The free dinner will be held on a first-come, first-served basis.

It is sponsored by the Organization of Latino Social Workers.

Previous years have drawn crowds of more than 400 people, said Theresa-Jo Barabe, social work junior and the organization’s secretary.

“It’s a very, very friendly atmosphere,” Barabe said.

“It’s just a way to connect with people and feel like you’re at home even though you’re still on campus.”