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All unmarried, full-time undergraduate students are required to live in college housing for six consecutive full semesters (excluding summer) and participate in a college meal plan. 

• Transfer students must live on campus until they meet the requirement (previous residency may count). 
• Exchange students must live on campus for their entire enrollment. 

Failure to obtain approval to live off-campus when required will result in charges for room and board, regardless of residence location. 

By accepting a room assignment, a student is contractually obligated to occupy that room for the entire academic year unless the student , is approved for a , is approved for a , graduates, or participates in a study abroad program. Vacant spaces are subject to assignment by the Office of the Residence Life.

Financial hardship: If a student or their family/caretakers face financial hardship or experiences a significant life change that has impacted income and may be challenging to pay for housing, please contact Financial Aid for assistance.

Â鶹ֱ²¥ College maintains a residential requirement for students, as outlined in the College’s residency policy. Students seeking to be released from this requirement may submit a Residency Exemption Request only if they meet one or more of the eligibility criteria listed below.

New First-Year Students

The Office of Admission may review and approve residency exemptions only for incoming first-year students and only before the student becomes bound by the College’s housing contract and residency requirements.

Once a new first-year student signs the housing contract or takes occupancy of campus housing (e.g., picking up a room key or moving into a residence hall), the student is considered bound by the College’s three-year residency requirement.

At that point:

• The Office of Admission no longer has authority to grant the student a residency exemption.
• The Office of Admission cannot retroactively approve, authorize, or apply an exemption to release a student from a housing contract or residency obligation that has already taken effect.
• Any subsequent request for an exemption from or release from the three-year residency requirement must be submitted to and reviewed by the Office of Residence Life under its established eligibility criteria and procedures.
   

Eligibility Criteria

A student may be eligible to request a residency exemption if they:

• Are married and can provide appropriate documentation of their marital status.
• Are the legal guardian of a minor child who resides with them and can provide documentation verifying legal guardianship and the student’s living arrangement.
• Are 24 years of age or older by the applicable date established by the Office of Residence Life.
• Have a documented medical or disability-related need that cannot reasonably be accommodated in campus housing. Students requesting an exemption on this basis may be required to complete the appropriate process through Student Accessibility Services and provide supporting documentation. The existence of a medical condition or disability does not automatically qualify a student for release from the residency requirement if the student’s needs can reasonably be accommodated within campus housing.
• Qualify for a limited junior-level exemption (when offered). In some academic years, the Office of Residence Life may permit a limited number of junior-level students to request release from the residency requirement based on projected enrollment, occupancy, and available residential capacity. This option is not guaranteed each year. If the Office of Residence Life makes junior-level exemptions available, it will communicate eligibility requirements, application procedures, deadlines, and any additional conditions directly to eligible students. The number of exemptions granted, if any, will be determined by institutional and operational needs and at the discretion of the Office of Residence Life.

Financial Hardship

Financial hardship, financial preference, or a desire to reduce the cost of attendance by living off campus is not an eligibility criterion for a residency exemption. Students experiencing financial concerns are encouraged to work with the appropriate College offices to explore available financial resources and support. Financial circumstances alone will not serve as a basis for release from the College’s residency requirement or an existing housing obligation.

Review and Final Decision

Meeting one or more eligibility criteria does not guarantee approval of a residency exemption. Eligibility means that a student may submit a request for consideration. The Office of Residence Life will review each request based on the information and documentation provided, the applicable residency requirements, available campus accommodations, and institutional needs.

For continuing students and first-year students who have become bound by the housing contract and/or taken occupancy of campus housing, the Office of Residence Life reserves the authority to determine whether an exemption from the three-year residency requirement is warranted.

All residency exemption decisions made by the Office of Residence Life are final and are not subject to reconsideration or appeal.

Students should not sign an off-campus lease or make other binding housing arrangements before receiving a written decision approving their exemption request. Students remain responsible for complying with the College’s residency requirement and all applicable housing obligations unless and until they receive written confirmation from the Office of Residence Life that an exemption has been approved.

Step 1: Submit Request

• Complete the Residency Exemption Request form (via eRezLife).

Step 2: Provide Required Documentation

Based on your eligibility:

• Age 24+
  • Submit government-issued ID (e.g., license, passport, or birth certificate). 
• Married / Guardian Status
  • Submit official documentation (e.g., marriage certificate or guardianship documentation). 
• Medical/Disability
  • Complete the (SAS) accommodation process
  • Provide documentation from a qualified provider within the last 6 months
  • SAS and Residence Life jointly review requests 

Step 3: Await Review

• Residence Life reviews all materials and determines approval.
• Medical exemptions are rare, as most needs can be accommodated on campus. 

Step 4: Receive Decision

• If approved, the exemption may apply for the remainder of enrollment (depending on category). 

• If denied, the student is required to remain in campus housing in accordance with the College’s residency requirement. Decisions made by the Office of Residence Life regarding residency exemption requests are final. There is no process for reconsideration or appeal of the decision.

   

Students granted or seeking residency exemption must adhere to the following:

• Policy Compliance: Students must remain in good standing and uphold all college policies and community standards. Violations may result in revocation of the exemption.
• Truthful Representation: All information and documentation submitted must be accurate and truthful. Providing false or misleading information may result in denial, revocation of approval, and/or referral to the student conduct process.
• Annual Renewal Requirement:
  • Residency exemption requests must be submitted each academic year (or for the specified approval period).
  • Approval in one year does not automatically carry forward to future terms.
• Conditional Approval: Exemptions are granted at the discretion of Residence Life and may include specific terms or timeframes.