As we approach the holiday season, Administrative departments will be operating on modified schedules or closed for portions of November, December, and early January. These planned adjustments give staff the opportunity to rest, recharge, and prepare for the year ahead. While most essential services will remain available, processing times may be longer than usual during these periods.
Below is a summary of what to expect and how to plan ahead:
- Thanksgiving Week Schedule
- Winter Curtailment and Holidays
- Facilities Services: Heating, Ventilation, and Lighting Curtailment (Exemption Request Form)
Thanksgiving Week Schedule
The official campus holidays are: Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, 2025. Most departments within the Administrative Division will be open Monday, November 24, through Wednesday, November 26, unless specifically noted below:
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Berkeley Regional Services (ERSO, BEST, ProS, SHARE, BEARS)
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People & Culture (HR)
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Supply Chain Management
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Parking & Transportation
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Winter Curtailment and Holidays
The official winter curtailment period is: Wednesday, December 24, 2025, through Thursday, January 1, 2026
Most departments within the Administrative Division will be closed during curtailment. Please note that processing timelines may be extended due to the closure.
Some Administrative departments will observe additional closure dates in addition to curtailment as noted below:
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Berkeley IT
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Berkeley Regional Services (ERSO, BEST, ProS, SHARE, BEARS)
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People & Culture
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Parking & Transportation
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Facilities Services: Heating and Ventilation Curtailment
Heating, ventilation, and lighting systems will be curtailed across most campus buildings from the end of business on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, through Sunday, January 4, 2026
Faculty and staff are encouraged to plan time away from campus to support this energy-saving initiative.
Last year’s curtailment reduced energy use by more than 715,000 kWh of electricity and 2,300,000 pounds of steam—preventing the equivalent of 220 metric tons of CO₂ emissions. These savings directly support Berkeley’s carbon reduction goals and reduce utility costs across the campus.
Units are encouraged to participate fully. For operations that must remain active, review the exemption process below.
Exemption Requests
Only heat, ventilation, and lighting will be curtailed; electrical service will remain active. All buildings are included in curtailment unless an exemption is approved.
- IMPORTANT: Submit the Request for Exemption Form by Friday, December 5, 2025.
- Approved exemptions will be posted on the Facilities Services website once reviewed.
Exemption criteria include:
- Controlled temperature or humidity areas
- Essential safety, security, or accounting operations
- Labs requiring fume hood operation
- Monitoring or control systems
- Theaters, athletic events, or retail operations
- Server or telecom rooms
- Essential medical facilities
Units interested in extending energy curtailment beyond the standard period are encouraged to contact the Energy Office to coordinate extended or partial setbacks.
For any questions or concerns, please contact the UC Berkeley Energy Office: energyoffice@berkeley.edu