Tim Davey gets a prime parking space. But the trade-off is long, dull hours at the travel desk inside Kansas University’s student union.

“It’s dead,” said Davey, a travel adviser with STA Travel, as he sat behind a computer screen on the Kansas Union’s fourth floor. The normally crowded lounge in front of him was so quiet it seemed possible to hear a pin drop.

KU students – the lifeblood of the university – have left for the winter break, which began Dec. 15.

Many campus buildings and offices will be closed this week only to reopen Jan. 2 for nearly three more quiet weeks. Classes for the spring semester start Jan. 19.

But some services will remain open, including the libraries. Watson and Anschutz libraries will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Both will be closed Jan. 1 and Jan. 15.

The registrar’s office also will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office also will be closed New Year’s Day and Jan. 15.

Although the students get a break, others – such as KU’s Public Safety officers – remain on the job.

“We provide the same services that we do when the students are here,” Capt. Schuyler Bailey said. “There’s always the possibility that something could happen.”

More than 29,000 students attend KU’s campuses, including the medical center campus in Kansas City, Kan.

Typically busy Jayhawk Boulevard was anything but last week, as a lone person crosses the street. Winter break started Dec. 15 at Kansas University, and many offices on campus will be closed this week and have limited hours until the spring semester starts Jan. 19.

Though the Lawrence campus may seem quiet, some students remain on campus.

Of the more than 3,400 students who reside in the residence halls, about 250 are staying behind. They mainly are international students or others who have to work.

Jayhawker Towers, the on-campus apartment complex, and Stouffer Place apartments, for married students and students with children, also are open through the break.

Some at KU love the quiet time because they can catch up on work and other items on their to-do lists. And they can go about their work without any hassles.

“I’m reading a novel right now : which I wouldn’t have a chance to do during the semester,” said Greg Hill, a student who works at Watson Library. “There’s no one here to yell at you. That’s nice. You get a lot less grief from the patrons.”

But some can’t wait for the students to return.

Emily Willis, a cosmetologist at Salon Hawk inside the Kansas Union, said she relies on the customers to make money.

“We’re ready,” she said.