On-Campus Residency Requirements

AUTOMATIC EXEMPTIONS

Students who have earned sixty or more credit hours (junior or senior standing), who are twenty-one years of age prior to the first day of classes (sorry, no exceptions), or who are married, veterans or commuter students living locally with their parents (or legal guardians) in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex are exempt from the On-Campus Residency Requirement for the 2008-2009 academic year. However, the student still must notify the Office of Student Life that they are taking the automatic exemption by completing a "Commuter Form". Click here for a link to the online version or here to download the PDF version.

The basis for an automatic exemption (other than 21 years of age prior to first day of classes) must exist PRIOR to the start of the academic year/semester that the student wishes to claim the automatic exemption and live off campus.

CONTRACT BREAKAGE

Residents who qualify to take an exemption MID YEAR are advised that they are still subject to the Contract Breakage Fee as listed on the back of the housing contract, in the General Bulletin and in the Student Handbook. Contract Breakage Fees are as follow:

• After official fall move-in and at any point during the fall semester - $400
  
• After last day of fall final exams and at any point during the spring semester - $600

After the official annual housing registration period any qualifying resident that breaks their contract PRIOR to move-in for the year is subject to these Contract Breakage Fees:

• After contract is accepted and before August 1st: $100
  
• After August 1st and prior to official move-in date: $300

REFUNDS

Residents that become exempt from the residency requirement and voluntarily break their housing contracts mid-semester are also subject to the REFUND RULES below:

• After Move-in and through last add/drop date - 80%
  
• First week after the close of the add/drop period - 60%
  
• Second week after the close of the add/drop period - 40%
  
• Third week after the close of the add/drop period - 20%
  
• From the 4th week on after the close of the add/drop period - 0%

Each week is calculated from the lst day of the academic add/drop period. A week is seven caldendar days long beginning immediately after the closing of the add/drop period. Please refer to the General Bulletin for the official ending date of the add/drop period for the semester of housing withdrawal.

EXEMPTION REQUESTS

In unusual circumstances, a student may submit a petition to the Exemption Petition Committee via the Office of Student Life to be exempted from the On-Campus Residency Requirement for compelling reasons which are detailed and fully documented in a written statement along with an "Exemption Petition Form" available online here or you may download a PDF verion here for submission to the Office of Student Life by the announced deadline. However, it should be recognized that it is uncommon to grant exemptions. Although financial grounds may be considered, the claim that it is less expensive to live off campus is not sufficient unless demonstrated financial need is evidenced to the Office of Financial Aid. Refer to the "Exemption Petition FAQ" page regarding exemption petitions prior to your submission.

Residents that apply for and are granted exemptions during the official annual housing registration period will not be billed for on-campus living costs and will not be penalized.

However, for qualifying residents that are granted an exemption mid-year, be advised that you are still subject to the Contract Breakage Fee and Refund Schedule as listed on the back of the housing contract, in the General Bulletin and in the Student Handbook. See the CONTRACT BREAKAGE and REFUNDS sections above for details.

The Exemption Petition Form may be completed on-line here. The form is also available for download in PDF format here and in paper format in the Office of Student Life. Petitions must be submitted by the announced deadline dates during the academic year. Students are advised not to sign an off campus lease until they have been cleared by the Office of Student Life. To do so is to risk a double housing charge: one by the University and one by the off campus apartment complex.

Any Exemption Petitions that are granted for the spring are only good for the remainder of that academic year. Should the student still fall under the residency requirement the following academic year, they must petition again.

HOUSING DEPOSIT

New on-campus residents are now charged a one-time housing deposit fee of $150 to guarantee compliance by the student. At the termination of this lease, if there is no damage to or loss of furniture, furnishings and/or equipment, and if the premises are clean and in good condition, normal wear and tear excepted, the housing deposit will be returned to the Student, provided the Student furnishes the Office of Student Life with proper notification by the established deadline dates. Should the university determine the student is not entitled to a return of the deposit, it will provide upon demand to the Student reasons in writing.

Failure to notify the Office of Student Life of the housing cancellation prior to June 1st for the following fall semester or December 1st for the following spring semester will result in forfeiture of the housing deposit. “No shows” will be considered as a cancellation and will also forfeit the housing deposit.