Occupancy Requirement

The University Residences & Dining Services Regulation and University Residences & Dining Services occupancy requirement requires that all unmarried undergraduate students who are regularly admitted and in full-time attendance must live in university residence halls while enrolled at The Ohio State University, Columbus campus, unless

1. The student is excluded from obligation to observe the University Residences & Dining Services Regulation, or

2. The student is qualified for a special residence or other exemption, or

3. The student is excused from compliance with the Housing Regulation, or

4. Space in the residence halls is no longer available.

Exclusions from obligation to the Housing Regulation are provided for students who, before the first day of the quarter in which they are entering or re-enrolling in the university, have

1. Earned sophomore class ranking on the basis of 45 or more credit hours completed and recorded, or

2. Attended The Ohio State University, or any other post secondary education institution, for at least three quarters or their equivalent, or

3. Completed their study at the secondary school level one year or more prior to enrollment at The Ohio State University and by reason of having previously established an independent lifestyle would not materially benefit from residence hall living.

Requests for exemption from the Housing Regulation must be submitted on the forms provided by University Residences & Dining Services and may be approved for one of the following reasons:

1. Actual local residence is with parents or close relatives or legal guardian.

The student is required to register with University Residences & Dining Services and qualifies for exemption when the actual local residence is with parent, legal guardian, grandparent, adult aunt or uncle, or adult brother or sister (provided that the regulation does not apply to both parties concerned) and the residence is within the Columbus metropolitan area (defined as within a 25-mile radius of the Columbus campus). This exemption must be approved before the first day of enrollment.

2. Actual local residence is in a social fraternity or sorority chapter house maintained exclusively for its members. Request forms must be submitted to University Residences & Dining Services and approved about 10 days before the first day of the quarter in which the student is entering or reenrolling in the university.

3. Actual local residence is in a scholarship or academic residential living unit not a part of the residence hall system, but which has been recognized by University Residences & Dining Services.

Written documentation for permission to reside in these special units must be submitted to and approved by University Residences & Dining Services.

Requests to be excused from compliance with the Housing Regulation will be considered by University Residences & Dining Services. Requests for the reasons listed below must be submitted in writing to University Residences & Dining Services at least 30 days prior to the initial quarter of enrollment.

1. Medical necessity certified by a physician and Student Health Services, subject to the approval of University Residences & Dining Services, which shall establish standards of general application for the determination of medical necessity.

2. Financial hardship, supported by Parent’s Confidential Statement (PCS) or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), evaluated by the Office of Admissions and Student Financial Aid, and subject to the approval of University Residences & Dining Services, which shall establish standards of general application for determination of financial necessity. If a PCS or FAFSA is not on file, allow six to eight weeks for the evaluation process to be completed.

3. Special hardship, documenting severe and compelling circumstances that exist prior to the initial quarter of enrollment.

Approval or denial of the request by University Residences & Dining Services will be based upon substantiation of the circumstances.

Compliance with the Housing Regulation is a condition of initial registration and continuing enrollment at The Ohio State University.

1. All regularly admitted students scheduled for nine or more hours of credit for a quarter or summer term are subject to the regulation.

2. Freshmen eligible for exemptions to live off campus must register their requests with University Residences & Dining Services prior to the beginning of classes.

3. Once a contract is signed, the Terms and Conditions shall apply regardless of any provisions in the Housing Regulation.

4. Proof of compliance with the University Residences & Dining Services Regulation is the responsibility of the student. Failure of a student to comply with this regulation may be cause for denial or cancellation of registration.

Failure to comply may also result in assessment of Housing and Campus Dining Services fees for the quarter in question.

5. University Residences & Dining Services is established as the authorized agent for administration of the Housing Regulation for the university.

6. All approvals for waiver of compliance with the University Residences & Dining Services Regulation will be in writing.