Multicolored holiday lights will twinkle throughout Tucson during the winter break, but few lights will sparkle on the UA campus.

John Lane, senior engineer with UA facilities management, said from late afternoon Dec. 22 to Jan. 2, most facilities at the University of Arizona will be closed.

University libraries, Modern Languages, some of the campus' research facilities, the Student Union, the Student Recreation Center and McKale Center will have special hours during break.

"We don't turn off all power to the buildings," Lane said. "We curtail heating and cooling in buildings that are not essential."

The campus shutdown started two years ago when Michael Cusanovich, vice president for research and graduate studies, proposed it because of budget cuts, Lane said, adding that the UA saved about $119,000 last year by cutting back on power and heating and cooling systems.

"The first year, people weren't so sure," Lane said. "But now people like having the 10 days off in a row."

As part of the proposal, facilities that wanted to stay open could request an exemption, he said.