It’s a busy time at the University of Regina, as students wrap up finals and head home for the semester and holiday break.

However, there are some 200 students that stay on campus during the break.

Director of Student Affairs and Operations Bettina Welsh said the U of R puts together programming for those students.

“We have a really lively community here where students know each other, they live together, so we offer different meals for them to have together to spend time together.”

The meals will take place in the College West building on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.

Welsh said there are different bus trips students can take advantage of as well.

“We have the Regina Pats game on January 1st that they can go together and sit together,” Welsh said. “We also have a grocery bus booked so that they can go get their groceries, again they can do that together, and then on Boxing Day everyone loves to shop, so we have a shopping bus going so that they can go shop as well.”

The U of R’s College West campus is well equipped for people staying over the semester break, with a games room, kitchen, dining area, and even a theatre

James Hsieh is a fifth year student from Calgary that has stayed for the holidays for two to three years. He said people like having things to do on their own time during the break.

“People love to have control of their own time, so they can do what they desire to do,” Hseih said. “If they want to hang out with people, that’s an option, like the Pats game that’s coming up soon, or shopping with other people on Boxing Day.

“If they want to be by themselves, they have that option too.”

Hsieh adds it also provides an opportunity for students to meet according to the University, as students from both College West and Kisik residency towers get to take part in the programming together.