Incoming Students

2026-2027 Terms and Conditions for Graduate, Professional, and Non-Traditional Housing

The Housing Contract is a legal and binding agreement between you and The Ohio State University. In signing this contract, you are making a commitment for, and agreeing to pay for, services in one of the Housing and Residence Education residence halls, apartments, or properties.

Before Signing this Contract:
1. Carefully read the entire Terms and Conditions (the “Housing Contract”) to understand what you are signing.
2. Review your financial resources to make sure you have the appropriate funding.
3. No release from the contract obligation will be given after the Housing Contract is signed and the applicable Housing Contract cancellation deadline has passed, except as provided in this Housing Contract.
Completing the Housing Contract
1. Residents may complete the Housing Contract electronically or via paper copy.
2. If completing the Housing Contract electronically:
  1. Examine and verify the name, address, and information listed during the online contract process.
  2. Electronically sign and date the Housing Contract.
  3. Submit the Housing Contract to Housing and Residence Education along with the appropriate security deposit (and $50 filing fee if you are a first-time resident).
  4. Save a copy of the Housing Contract for your records.
3. If completing the Housing Contract via paper copy:
  1. Examine and verify the pre-printed name, address, and OSU Identification information on the Housing Contract. Make the necessary corrections and write in the correct information.
  2. Sign and date the Housing Contract.
  3. Return the original, signed office copy of the Housing Contract to Housing and Residence Education along with the appropriate security deposit (and $50 filing fee if you are a first-time resident) to the Housing and Residence Education Office, 950 Lincoln Tower, 1800 Cannon Drive, Columbus, OH 43210.
  4. Keep a copy of the Housing Contract for your records.
4. Parent/guardian signature is required on the Housing Contract for residents who are under 18 years old on the date the Housing Contract is executed.
Contract Parties
1. This Housing Contract is by and between The Ohio State University (“the university”) on behalf of Housing and Residence Education and Dining Services, and the resident (“the resident”), or the resident’s parent or legal guardian where applicable, whose name appears on the contract.
2. This contract is not transferable, but may be exchanged, where permissible and in accordance with Section 34.
Nature of Contract
1. Housing Contract Offer
  1. The delivery of this Housing Contract by the university’s Housing and Residence Education to the resident named constitutes an offer of accommodations and services in university housing.
  2. This offer is contingent upon availability of space within university housing and under the terms and conditions described herein.
  3. Housing and Residence Education is not required to offer a contract to non-obligated residents.
2. Contract Acceptance
  1. This Housing Contract is duly executed when:
    1. The named resident and/or the resident’s parent/guardian signs the Housing Contract; and,
    2. The signed Housing Contract is submitted to Housing and Residence Education with appropriate fee(s) (filing fee and security deposit) by the “Offer Expiration” deadline specified in the Housing Contract (or such later date as spaces of the type of housing applied for remain available); and
    3. Acceptance of the Housing Contract is acknowledged in writing, including e-mail, to the resident or faculty by Housing and Residence Education.
  2. All applicants must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in Section 7 of these Terms and Conditions for their designated housing preference. The university reserves the right to deny housing based upon inability to meet the eligibility requirements.
  3. Resident acknowledges that, in addition to these Terms and Conditions, the resident is bound during the contract term by the Residential Living Handbook.
3. Housing Contract Fees
  1. Upon submitting a signed Housing Contract, each resident must remit a security deposit equal to one month’s rent.
  2. After serving the purpose of reserving space, the security deposit will be applied to the last month’s rent.
  3. A first-time resident is required to pay a one-time, non-refundable filing fee of $50. The filing fee is not applied toward room and/or rent payments. The filing fee will be returned only if space is not available and/or the contract is not accepted by Housing and Residence Education upon submission.
  4. The $50 filing fee and the security deposit is mandatory and cannot be waived or deferred for any resident for any reason.
Contract Duration
1. Graduate, Professional, and Non-Traditional Contracts
  1. At the end of their initial term, graduate and non-traditional students in good standing will be given the opportunity to renew their contract for the subsequent academic period, at the then-prevailing rent and on the then-prevailing terms and conditions.
  2. Graduate, Professional, and Non-Traditional contracts will continue until terminated by the resident’s withdrawal from classes or by the resident’s graduation from the university. An “Intent to Vacate” must be submitted at least 45 days in advance of the last day of classes for the semester or session if the resident intends to vacate the apartment.
  3. If the resident gives less than the required 45 days’ notice of intent to vacate, rent will be charged for 45 days from the date the vacancy notice is received. In the event the resident gives more than 45 days’ notice of intent to vacate, rent will be charged through the date on which the apartment is vacated and keys returned.
  4. If the resident is graduating, the resident must vacate the premises no later than 48 hours after commencement, giving the proper advance vacate notice of 45 days.
2. If the resident has not checked into the contracted apartment by 12 p.m. of the beginning date of the contract, the apartment will be automatically reassigned unless the resident has notified the Housing and Residence Education Office in writing that they will be checking in at a later time or date.
Contract Cancellation
1. Once signed, a Housing Contract may be cancelled by the resident if written notice is received by the Housing and Residence Education office by no later than the following date(s):
  1. For a contract commencing in the autumn semester—May 15.
  2. For a contract commencing in the spring semester—December 15.
  3. For a contract commencing in the summer session—April 30.
Eligibility for Housing
1. Eligibility requirements for Graduate, Professional, and Non-Traditional Housing:
  1. Any person seeking to live in Graduate, Professional, and Non-Traditional housing must be enrolled as a full-time student (at least nine credit hours per semester for graduate residents and twelve credit hours for undergraduates) in a degree program at the university and must be compliant with university vaccination requirements throughout the term of the Housing Contract.
  2. A resident may unenroll for one semester out of the three major academic periods and remain in their apartment if they plan to enroll the following semester. The resident shall inform the Housing and Residence Education Office no later than 45 days prior to the first day of classes of the semester of non-enrollment.
2. Eligibility Requirements for Veteran’s House Housing:
  1. Any person seeking to live in the Veteran’s House must be enrolled as a full-time student (at least nine credit hours per semester for graduate residents and twelve credit hours for undergraduates) in a degree program at the university throughout the term of the Housing Contract.
  2. Verification of eligibility of Veteran’s House Housing is required for contract submission. Accepted documents to verify status are:
    1. DD214
    2. Enlisted Records Brief
    3. Photocopy of your Active Duty ID
  3. Residency in the Veteran’s House is limited to one academic year (autumn to spring semesters), except as described in iv.
  4. Students who move in for spring semester will be offered the option to remain an additional academic year.
3. Subject only to the foregoing, a resident who loses eligibility during the term of the contract must notify the Housing and Residence Education Office, complete the check-out procedures applicable to the relevant building or complex, and vacate the assigned premises within 48 hours of the loss of status. If the resident fails to vacate within 48 hours, the locks will be changed, and the proper authorities notified. All associated costs shall be charged to the resident.
4. Any person who is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to any federal, state, or local law is not eligible to reside in university housing.
Withdrawal from the University and Contract Inactivation
1. The parties agree that the contract may be inactivated under the conditions listed in Section 8(B).
2. Written documentation must be given to Housing and Residence Education before the first day of classes of the semester or session for which one of the following conditions exists:
  1. Withdrawal from the university after paying fees but before classes begin;
  2. Non-attendance or non-enrollment;
  3. Enrollment for eleven or fewer credit hours through the first Friday of the semester if an undergraduate student;
  4. Affiliation with special university programs away from the campus area for the entire semester;
  5. Academic dismissal;
  6. Graduation from The Ohio State University; or,
  7. Marriage.
3. The resident agrees to abide by the terms and conditions until written approval is given to their request for contract inactivation.
4. A resident who officially withdraws from the university during the semester or session must remove all personal belongings and officially check out at their hall office and return the room key/key card within 48 hours of withdrawal from the university. If the resident fails to vacate within 48 hours, the university may take possession of the assigned space, change the locks to that room, drawer(s), and mailbox(es), and charge all costs associated with such change to the resident.
5. After this contract has been inactivated, if the resident becomes enrolled full-time at their respective campus, the resident agrees to fulfill any balance of the term of the contract (unless inactivation is a result of graduation or marriage).
Choice of Law
1. This contract shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, regardless of the place of execution. Any legal action arising pursuant to this contract shall be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Ohio.
2. If any provision of this Housing Contract between the university and the resident is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Housing Contract shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.
Term of Contract
1. The beginning and ending dates of the contract shall be as specified on the contract. The contract is binding on the university and on the resident (and the resident’s parent or legal guardian where applicable) for the entire term of contract and cannot be terminated except under conditions cited in this contract.
2. If space is available, the resident may be permitted, in the sole discretion of the Housing and Residence Education Office, to arrive or depart earlier or later than the specified dates. Graduate, Professional, and Non-Traditional rent will be prorated accordingly.
3. The apartment shall not be used for unlawful purposes, for any purpose contrary to federal, state, or local regulations or laws or university guidelines, rules or policies, or in such a manner as to constitute a nuisance or annoyance to the residential community.
4. The university reserves the right to relocate residents pursuant to Section 29 of the Terms and Conditions to other apartments in order to comply with local, state and federal law.
5. The resident may not sublet the room or apartment for which this contract is signed.
6. Summer session contracts do not extend beyond the summer session enrollment period.
Services Period
1. The university agrees to furnish to the resident a space in the residence halls or a housing facility, hereinafter referred to as room, and to grant the resident the use of the facilities in that residence hall or housing facility.
2. The Service Dates are published separately in the Contract Services Calendar.
Rent and Payments
1. Rent will be charged and prorated from the date on which the resident picks up the apartment key or from the beginning date of the contract, whichever comes first, pursuant to Section 12.D.
2. All monthly rent payments are due on or by the first day of each month.
3. All rents are payable to The Ohio State University. Payments may be made with Visa/MasterCard/Discover/American Express online or by phone and will include a $2 credit card processing fee. Payments may be made in person by personal check, traveler’s check, money order, or Visa/MasterCard/Discover/American Express without any processing fee. Payments may also be mailed to: Housing and Residence Education, 950 Lincoln Tower, 1800 Cannon Drive, Columbus, Ohio, 43210.
4. Rent charges for occupancy less than a full month shall be computed on the basis of a daily charge equal to 1/30 of the monthly rent times the number of days that the resident and/or their belongings occupy the apartment.
Delinquent Payments
1. If rent payment is not made by the end of the day on the fifth business day of the month, it will be considered delinquent. For payments received after the fifth business day of the month, a late penalty of $15 will be imposed in addition to the rent, plus an additional $2 for each day thereafter, up to a maximum late penalty of $25.
2. If the resident’s payment by personal check is returned by the bank for insufficient funds, a $30 processing fee will be charged.
3. Residents whose rent payments have been returned three times for insufficient funds in checking accounts will be required to pay future rent by money order.
4. The university shall have the right to repossess the apartment should the resident’s rent be in arrears and remain unpaid for 30 days after the receipt of notice of default. The resident agrees to cover any deficiency in rent and expenses for any damages that the university may have sustained as a result of the resident’s use and occupancy of the apartment.
5. If a charge assessed to a credit card is challenged by the resident and, after research, is deemed valid, a $30 charge will be assessed to recover research/processing time.
6. Payments delinquent for more than 60 days or that remains due upon departure will be billed to the resident’s university account. A hold may also be placed upon the resident’s student records until the resident provides payment to the university.
Security Deposit
1. Upon acceptance of the contract, the resident shall pay a security deposit equal to one month’s rent.
2. Submission by the student of the Housing Contract and the security deposit reserves a space in the university housing.
3. In response to the request to reserve space, Housing and Residence Education will attempt to acknowledge in writing that appropriate materials have been received and that space is being reserved.
4. If the resident, through appropriate procedure as outlined in this Section, releases the reserved space by written notice to Housing and Residence Education (received and/or postmarked by dates indicated), the security deposit is refundable as follows, provided the resident has complied with the terms and conditions of the contract:
  1. Full refund when written notice of space release is received or postmarked by the applicable contract cancellation date outlined in Section 6.
  2. Forfeiture (no refund) of the security deposit if the notice of space release is postmarked and/or received May 16 or later (when the contract begins with autumn semester); December 16 or later (when the contract begins with spring semester); May 2 or later (when the contract begins with summer term).
  3. Forfeiture (no refund) of the security deposit if departure from housing results from academic dismissal, withdrawal, or non-enrollment during the term of contract.
5. If space is not available, and/or the contract is not accepted by Housing and Residence Education, the security deposit will be refunded in full.
6. Upon proper termination of the contract, the security deposit will be applied to the resident’s rent charges for the final month of the resident’s contract.
7. The resident agrees that upon vacating the apartment, they will be held financially accountable for any unpaid rent owed by the resident as well as for the cost of repairs and/or cleaning the apartment, beyond reasonable wear and tear.
8. The resident’s liability to the university for damages shall not be limited to any amount.
9. If there are no damages or losses, the resident’s security deposit shall be applied to the last month’s rent. Notwithstanding any such application, the resident shall remain liable for all damages and losses and all rent and other rent and payments accrued through the termination date of their contract. Failure to discharge all such liabilities will result in the denial of further registration and enrollment with the university and of graduation and with the placement of a financial hold on the resident’s student records, including transcripts.
10. The university will provide the resident with a written itemized list of any amounts applied for the above purposes and will return any overpaid fees after the termination of the contract and delivery of the apartment back to the university.
Activity Fee
1. The resident agrees to pay an activity fee each semester to be used for social activities or other activities that may be offered.
2. The fee will be collected with the rent during the first month of each academic semester.
3. All unpaid activity fees will be deducted from the resident’s overpaid fees at the termination of the contract.
4. The fee is established by the Residence Hall Advisory Council and may be changed by the council in accordance to its constitution and bylaws.
No Attendant Care Services — The university does not provide attendant care services for residents.
Utilities
1. The university agrees to provide reasonable amounts of heat, electricity, gas and waste disposal consistent with university policies during the contract services period.
2. Gateway residents are responsible for the water bills for their unit. Charges for monthly usage will be added to their rent statements.
Sanitation
1. The university agrees to provide working plumbing services and for trash removal from areas as specified by Housing and Residence Education.
2. The university agrees to provide laundry machines in each hall or operational group of halls. Washers and dryers are included in Gateway apartments.
Repairs, Services and Maintenance
1. All breaks, damages, and need for general repairs should be reported to the maintenance staff via the service request system. No charges will be made for repairs that arise from normal wear and tear. Residents will be assessed for all damages that are considered more than normal wear and tear.
2. Residents agree to accept responsibility for cleaning their kitchens and/or bathrooms.
3. After regular business hours, emergency maintenance (e.g., no heat, no electricity, stopped-up toilets, water overflow, etc.) can be reported by calling 614-292-4357.
4. Requests for maintenance service by the resident will constitute authorization to enter the apartment.
5. The university will conduct fire/safety/health and preventative maintenance inspections periodically.
6. The university agrees to make all necessary repairs and perform maintenance in the residence hall and the resident’s room through its authorized personnel.
7. Repairs will be made to the room and to university furnishings upon request or in accordance with routine schedules. Charges may be assessed to the resident in accordance with Section 22B below.
Keys/Key Cards
1. The resident agrees to be responsible for the key/key card to their assigned room. The resident further agrees not to have or allow the key to be duplicated and not to transfer use of the key/key card.
2. The resident agrees to report loss of the assigned room key/key card and to pay the charges for changing the cores of all locks on doors, drawers, and mailboxes affected by the loss.
3. At check-in, Gateway residents will also be given a mailbox key.
4. In buildings with key card access, the resident agrees to pay any charges for re-encoding or replacing lost key cards.
5. Gateway residents should contact Gateway Security staff, located in the Gateway parking garage located at 75 E. 11th Avenue, should they be locked out and need access.
Care of Facilities
1. The resident agrees to be directly and financially responsible for keeping the assigned room and its furnishings clean and free from damage, to cooperate with roommates in the common protection of property and in maintenance of the living space, and to advise the university of any deteriorated conditions of the room or its furnishings so timely repairs can be made.
2. The resident agrees not to modify or cause or allow for the modification of the assigned room or other parts of the building.
3. The resident agrees to pay charges when assessed for room damages or special housekeeping or maintenance services necessary due to misuse or abuse of facilities for which the resident is responsible, or to pay an equal portion of charges assessed to all occupants of a room when those persons responsible fail to assume responsibility for the charges.
4. The resident agrees to use public areas, residential corridors and rooms, and equipment and furnishings in a careful and proper manner, to cooperate in the common protection of property, and to advise the university of any deteriorated or hazardous conditions so timely repairs can be made.
5. The resident agrees to pay charges when assessed for common area damages or necessary special housekeeping or maintenance services due to misuse or abuse of facilities or equipment for which the resident is responsible. The resident agrees to pay an equal portion of charges assessed to all residents of a corridor or residence hall when those responsible cannot be identified by the hall staff or the responsible individual(s) fails to assume the charges.
Behavior and Care of Furnishings
1. Upon picking up keys to their apartment, the resident will want to complete a service request at go.osu.edu/servicerequest to note any damages or missing items from the room/apartment. They must complete no later than a week after the move-in date.
2. All damages not listed through the service request system will be charged to the resident when the apartment is vacated.
3. The resident agrees to ensure that guests will not act in a disruptive or noisy fashion and residents agree to be responsible for their guests’ actions.
4. All furnishings are permanent and must not be removed by the resident.
Room Entry and Inspections
1. The university affirms its respect for each resident’s right to privacy in their own room and agrees to make reasonable effort to provide at least 24 hours’ notice prior to making inspections for damage and cleanliness.
2. The university regards room entry for purpose of improvements, maintenance, cleaning, and recovery of unauthorized university-owned property, and fire and safety inspections as necessary for the health and general welfare of all residents and resident agrees to and authorizes entry for these purposes.
3. A resident’s request for maintenance service will constitute authorization to enter the resident’s room.
4. Except as otherwise indicated in this section, the university agrees that entry without notice will be made only in emergencies to protect or ensure protection of health, safety or property.
Fee and Service Changes
1. The university reserves the right to discontinue facilities and services not expressly agreed to in this contract.
2. The university agrees not to change fees or services rendered by the university as described herein, except upon 45 days prior written notice when the university determines that changing conditions warrant such action.
Liability and Risk Assumption
1. The university acknowledges, and the resident is hereby made aware, that criminal activity, personal injury, and theft occur, and the risk exists for such future occurrences on university premises, specifically within and around Housing and Residence Education facilities. Therefore, the resident agrees to assume responsibility for their own personal safety and security, as well as for their own personal belongings.
2. The university does not assume responsibility for any resident’s, guest, or other person’s losses or injuries, including, but not limited to the loss of money or valuables, the loss of or damage to property, the cost of replacement for such losses, or injuries, personal or otherwise, sustained on or about the Housing and Residence Education and Dining Services premises. The university recommends that the resident contact his or her local insurance carrier concerning the availability of protections against such losses and injuries.
3. The resident acknowledges that in the event of any pending or future public health crisis, the resident may be assuming additional risks to their health and safety by residing in university housing and using the dining services. Resident agrees that they are knowingly, voluntarily, and expressly assuming this risk and responsibility for any damages, liabilities, loss, or expenses related to a public health crisis that they may incur as a result of residing in university housing. Resident further acknowledges that during a public health crisis, the university may have limited staff availability and/or reduce or eliminate certain services in its sole discretion for health and safety reasons, including but not limited to, reduction in dining service offerings and elimination of residence hall programming.
Assignment of Premises; Use of Common Areas
1. The premises contracted by the resident will be those assigned by the Housing and Residence Education Office. Housing and Residence Education staff will reasonably attempt to accommodate, but cannot guarantee, the resident’s expressed preferences for a specific area, building or complex or, if applicable, roommate or room type.
2. The resident agrees that occupancy of the assigned room is limited to residents assigned to that room, that the room will be used only as living space, and that the space will not be loaned to or occupied by non-residents.
3. The resident will also have the nonexclusive, revocable right to make normal use of the common areas of the building or complex in which the assigned premises are located.
Behavior and Conduct
1. The resident agrees to review and observe all published rules affecting their status with the university, specifically including the Code of Student Conduct as published on the university website, the Residential Living Handbook published on the Housing and Residence Education website, posted housing rules established by university officials and/or housing resident governing bodies, and any health-related directives of the university and/or local, state, and federal authorities, including but not limited to, directives regarding gatherings, masks, vaccination, and personal hygiene.
2. The resident agrees to conduct themselves in such a manner as to allow others the quiet enjoyment of the residence halls and housing and dining facilities. The resident agrees to abide by the laws of the State of Ohio and to avoid causing excessive noise and/or disruptive behavior and understands that they may be required to provide and use earphones or to remove stereos or musical instruments from the room if the use of such equipment is causing a disturbance.
3. The resident agrees to membership in the respective resident governing bodies of university housing including all rights, privileges and responsibilities of such membership.
Apartment Transfers
1. Applications for transfer can be filed with the Housing and Residence Education office.
2. When a transfer is approved, a $50 transfer charge will be assessed. Each transfer must be completed within three calendar days after the apartment becomes available.
3. The resident acknowledges and agrees that if moved to another room due to a change in assignment, resident will be required to pay the pro-rated differential cost to the university in the case of a room with a higher rate or, in the case of a room with a lower rate, should receive a refund in the pro-rated amount of the differential from the university.
Reassignment
1. Rooms or apartments are subject to reassignment at any time. The university may alter the resident’s assignment for reasons including, but not limited to, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, disciplinary reasons, catastrophe, renovation or closing of a facility, consolidation of vacancies, unavailability of space, violation of specific living area expectations, unresolvable incompatibility of roommates, unpaid housing and dining fees, facility maintenance, or at the request of the resident.
2. The resident understands and agrees that the resident’s contract is for a room assignment determined by the university, not for any particular room, and that the university may reassign the resident to another room at any time when there is reasonable cause to believe that the resident has violated the Residential Living Handbook, the Code of Student Conduct, university policy or rule, or posted housing rules established by university officials and/or housing student governing bodies.
3. The resident agrees to move to the designated room immediately upon notification of the reassignment.
4. The resident agrees that the university reserves the right to prohibit a resident’s ability to enter or visit specific residence hall premises or public and private areas therein.
5. Reassignment is not a termination of the Housing Contract. The resident understands and agrees that reassignment does not preclude the university from pursuing disciplinary action, termination of the contract, and/or other appropriate action.
6. The procedures for reassignment are as follows:
  1. Recommendation for reassignment will be made by a hall director, the appropriate assistant director of Housing and Residence Education, or the director of Housing and Residence Education.
  2. A decision to reassign a resident will be based on a review, by a hall director in consultation with the appropriate assistant director of Housing and Residence Education, and/or the director of Housing and Residence Education, of available evidence of violation.
  3. If reasonably possible, and depending upon the nature and seriousness of the alleged violation, the hall director or appropriate assistant director of Housing and Residence Education will talk with the resident before making a decision on reassignment.
  4. A resident who is reassigned in accordance with this provision may appeal the original reassignment decision to Housing and Residence Education.
    1. Appeals must be submitted in writing to housing@osu.edu within twenty-four (24) hours of the issuance of a reassignment notice. The appeal must state why the resident believes the reassignment should not occur.
    2. A resident is limited to one appeal. The decision of Housing and Residence Education is final.
    3. Housing and Residence Education reserves the right to temporarily reassign the resident to a new room during the appeal period.
Breach of Contract
1. The resident agrees that breach of contract exists when it is determined by the appropriate university official and/or student judicial body that a violation of provisions of this contract or of rules and regulations of the university has occurred.
2. The resident understands that breach of contract may also result in cancellation of current enrollment, denial of subsequent university registration, forfeiture of the Space Reservation Fee or Security Deposit, and/or room, rent and/or fee payments as determined by Housing and Residence Education.
Resident Responsibilities
1. The Resident shall:
  1. Use the premises only for normal residential purposes and not allow any person to occupy the premises other than persons assigned to the premises by the university;
  2. Comply with the check-in and check-out procedures of Housing and Residence Education;
  3. Keep the premises safe, clean and sanitary;
  4. Use and operate all electrical and plumbing fixtures and appliances appropriately;
  5. Refrain and forbid other persons in the premises with the resident’s permission, from intentionally or negligently destroying, defacing, damaging, removing, or modifying any fixture, furnishing, appliance, or other part of the premises; and,
  6. Conduct themselves, and require other persons in the premises with the resident’s permission to conduct themselves, in a manner that will not disturb other residents of the peaceful enjoyment of their own premises.
Relief from Contract Obligations
1. Authority for relief from any contract obligations, as outlined in the Contract Addendum, is held solely and exclusively by Housing and Residence Education.
2. Relief from contract obligations is not given after the beginning date of the term of contract other than as outlined in the Contract Addendum. The university assumes that the person signing this contract has reviewed their financial resources and medical, religious, dietary, and other needs prior to signing this contract.
3. The resident who moves out of university housing during the term of contract without relief from contract obligations and remains enrolled will continue to be liable for Housing and Residence Education fees that accrue against their account, whether or not the resident uses the services.
Termination of Contract
1. Housing and Residence Education may initiate a hearing to terminate the resident’s contract before the end of its term and require the resident to vacate the premises immediately if the university determines that the resident has:
  1. Failed to make rent or other payments when due,
  2. Failed to maintain eligibility for the applicable housing,
  3. Violated any other term or condition of the contract, or
  4. Violated the university’s Residential Living Handbook, the Community Standards of Conduct, University Code of Student Conduct or any other applicable university rule or policy.
2. Written notice the contract termination will be placed in the resident’s mailbox, hand-delivered, or sent to the resident’s official university email address at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the hearing. The notice will state the charge, the date, time, and location of the hearing, and the hearing officer designated to hear the case. The resident shall have a right to be heard, and the hearing procedures shall be consistent with those provided for in Section 3335-23-10 of the university’s Code of Student Conduct. If the hearing officer determines to terminate the resident’s contract, the resident shall have the right to appeal the decision to the director of Student Conduct or designee. Any such appeal must be submitted in writing and must be received by the director of Student Conduct or designee within five (5) business days of the hearing officer’s decision. The decision of the director of Student Conduct or designee shall be final.
3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Office of Student Life Student Conduct may also terminate a resident’s contract before the end of its terms and require the resident to vacate the premises immediately if the resident is found in violation of the university’s Code of Student Conduct following a hearing conducted pursuant to the Code of Student Conduct.
4. In the event of such a termination, the resident shall remain liable for rent and any other applicable payments through the date of termination and for any damages or losses resulting from the resident’s breach of these terms and conditions.
5. The resident understands that a temporary denial of access to the residence halls or apartment pursuant to an interim suspension does not constitute a termination of the Housing Contract.
6. Upon termination, the university may change the locks to the apartment, mailbox(es), and drawers(s) and charge all costs associated with such a change to the resident.
7. Unless the resident makes other arrangements in writing with the Housing and Residence Education Office prior to vacating their room or apartment, any personal property remaining in the premises after the contract has been terminated by either party, the resident has turned in the keys to the premises, or the contract term has expired shall be presumed to be abandoned. The university may, without liability, dispose of it as the university sees fit. The university reserves the right to assess the resident for the cost of removal of abandoned property.
Contract Exchange
1. As approved by the university, this contract may be exchanged by the resident (current contract holder) with another student (prospective resident) as long as neither is required by University Housing Regulation to reside in university residence halls and upon satisfaction of the following requirements:
  1. The current contract holder:
    1. Must locate and eligible prospective resident who must have neither requested housing information on the university undergraduate admission application, nor made previous contact with Housing and Residence Education to request housing information. If a standby request list exists because of limited residence hall vacancies, the current contract holder must exchange with someone on the standby list.
    2. Gives up a contract for residence hall living space, not for a space in particular room or residence hall.
  2. The eligible prospective resident:
    1. Must be an undergraduate enrolled full-time (twelve or more credit hours) and may not be a current contract holder.
    2. May not be ineligible to reside in housing for behavior and/or conduct reasons.
    3. Accepts that a housing assignment will be made in accordance with assignment policy and will not be to the specific space vacated by the current contract holder.
  3. This contract may not be exchanged when such exchange would contribute to over-assigned conditions in the halls.
2. The parties agree that the exchange of the contract as a whole will be for the remainder of the term of contract (academic year(s)).
3. The resident agrees to contact Housing and Residence Education to formalize the request for contract exchange and to determine eligibility of the prospective resident.
4. The university identification card is not transferrable and may not be sold to another person.
5. The contract exchange will be effective only after the signed contract has been received from the prospective resident.
6. When a contract exchange is approved in writing by Housing and Residence Education, the prospective resident accepts complete responsibility for the terms and conditions. The current contract holder is then completely relieved of any responsibility and/or monetary obligations for the contract.
Surrender of Premises
1. The resident’s rent and occupancy will cease when he/she has completed the following items of business:
  1. Surrendered the apartment key;
  2. Surrendered a mailbox key (Gateway residents); and
  3. Provided in writing a forwarding address where he/she may be contacted and where any further correspondence may be sent.
2. If the apartment or furnishings require cleaning or the appliances or equipment need repair, reasonable wear expected, the outgoing resident will be responsible for this expense.
3. If the resident or anyone claiming under the resident continues in possession of the apartment or any part thereof beyond the termination of this contract (the vacate date), the resident will be responsible for paying prorated rent on a day-to-day basis for each day they remain in the apartment beyond the termination of this contract.
4. If no prior permission for an extension of the vacate date was given by Housing and Residence Education, the university reserves the right to force the removal of a resident in the case that an apartment has already been rented to a new resident, or to assess the resident $50 per day holdover charge.
Grievances
1. Complaints/grievances sometimes arise regarding conditions of occupancy. When a resident has a complaint/concern, they are encouraged to discuss the matter with the Housing Coordinator to seek resolution on an informal basis. When a complaint/concern is not promptly resolved, the resident may file a formal grievance to secure a resolution.
2. Should the resident desire to file a formal grievance, they should do so in writing and present the grievance to the Housing Coordinator. A meeting will be held with the resident to determine all the facts pertaining to the grievance and to advise the resident of the resolution within five business days. If the resolution is not satisfactory to the resident, they may appeal to the Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Education. If the grievant is not satisfied with that decision, they may appeal to the Director of Housing and Residence Education.
Acts of God — If either party is prevented from, or delayed in, completing performance of any or all of its obligations under the Housing Contract (other than payment of rent and fees) by an act of God or any other occurrence beyond the party’s control, including but not limited to any conditions arising out of a public health crisis, the party will be excused from performance for as long as it is reasonably necessary to complete performance.
Waiver — No waiver of any default in the performance of the Housing Contract between the university and the resident shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the waiving party. The waiver of a particular default in the performance of the contract shall not constitute a waiver of any other or subsequent default. The resort to a particular remedy upon a default shall not constitute a waiver of any other available remedies.
Joint and Several Liability — Each resident that executes this contract shall be jointly and severally liable for the payment of rent and for damages against the university in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of this contract. The university can at its option proceed against the resident of its choice without proceeding against the other(s), and, in doing so, the university will in no way relinquish or diminish any legal remedies against the remaining resident(s).
Severability — If any provision of the contract between the university and the resident is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the contract shall not be affected and shall remain in effect.
Entire Agreement — These terms and conditions, together with the Housing Contract and acceptance forms, contain the entire contract between the university and the resident and supersede any and all prior agreements or representations between the parties pertaining to the same subject matter. The university may, in its discretion, increase the rent or otherwise alter the terms and conditions of the contract effective upon the commencement of any renewal term.