Housing Application Form

ROOM AND BOARD REQUIREMENTS

All unmarried, first- and second-year full-time (12+ credit hours) USF students are required to live in campus housing. Exceptions include those students who live with an immediate family member or guardian over the 21 years of age within a 50 mile radius of the USF Campus, have completed four semesters of full-time college work (high school credits and summer sessions excluded), or are at least 21 years of age at the beginning of the semester for which off-campus housing is desired. All 1st and 2nd year residential students are require to have either an Unlimited or 175 Block meal plan. No meals will be served during vacation breaks. (The full policy may be reviewed in the USF Student Handbook available here). Exceptions to the residential policy must be secured in advance by the Director of Housing and Student Life or designee. If a student is not compliant they will be subject to discipline and/or fines.

LENGTH OF AGREEMENT

The terms of the room and board agreement applies to a full academic year for students living on campus at the start of the fall semester. Students will not have to reapply from fall to spring. Spring new students moving into a residence hall will be responsible for the spring semester room and board costs. Students who withdraw from housing will be charged for housing and meal plans on a prorated basis up to 10 weeks into the semester. Students may not occupy their rooms during Christmas break or other vacation periods unless otherwise approved by the Director of Housing and Student Life or designee.

ASSIGNMENT OF ROOMS

The University agrees to assign rooms and provide board only after the eligible student has (1) been accepted to the University, (2) submitted a housing application (3) paid a $100 housing reservation fee. Residence hall assignments are subject to the availability of space. The University will assign accommodations according to the student preference, but the University does not guarantee assignment to particular types of accommodations, specific halls, or with a specific roommate, but will make every effort to accommodate. Roommate requests are granted when space is available and the request is mutual. The University reserves the right to assign or reassign space for the benefit of an individual student, the University, or residence hall area. The University reserves the right to refuse housing to any student who is delinquent in the payment of university bills, who has demonstrated an unwillingness to abide by housing rules and regulations or who exhibits behavior that is not conducive to a favorable living-learning environment.

USE OF FURNISHINGS

Student rooms and the furnishings provided therein are to be used in the manner for which they were designed. No university property, including room and lounge area furnishings, may be moved within the building or taken from the residence hall without the written permission of the Director of Housing and Student Life. Students are responsible for returning their room and its furnishings to its original configuration upon leaving at the conclusion of their residency period.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

1. As a resident student, you are expected to abide by the policies and procedures as outlined in the Room Agreement and USF Student Handbook.
2. Residence Life reserves the right and ability to alter a student’s room assignment to respond to occupancy trends, maintenance concerns, consolidation, health concerns, and/or disciplinary issues.
3. Health and safety checks of common and private areas will be done on a rotating basis.
4. Room assignment changes can be made by the Director of Housing and Student Life or its designee. If you would like to change your room, please refer to the Campus Life section on MyUSF and the USF Student Handbook for details.
5. Room damages and charges for moving student belongings or excessive cleaning will be billed to the student(s) responsible on their student account. In those cases where one student cannot be isolated, the cost for any repair/replacement will be shared between roommates. Each occupant is responsible to leave the room in the condition it was found at move-in.

ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESIDENCE

1. Common Area Damage refers to damages in common areas of the building (e.g. lounges, kitchens, etc.). When no one or group of students is found responsible, any charges for repair/replacement/clean will be shared by all students who are occupying the area (suite, wing, floor, or building).
2. The University reserves the right to charge for damages, unauthorized use, or alterations to all University spaces, rooms, equipment, including, but limited to bathroom walls, floors, doors, and ceilings.
3. You may not install equipment, make alterations or do repairs to your room without prior permission from the Director of Housing and Student Life. This includes nailing, adhering to, or tacking items on the walls, ceilings, doors and etc.
4. The University agrees to equip each room with furniture, and the specifics are dependent on the residence hall; therefore, check with Housing and Student Life for specific information. When sharing a residence hall room, you may only utilize your portion of the supplied furniture.
5. Privately owned furniture must be approved by Housing and Student Life before installation.
6. There are certain times during the year when the residence halls will be closed. During these times, no student can remain in the residence halls unless they have received prior approval from the Director of Housing and Student Life. Please refer to campus emails and other notices for specific calendar information.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OCCUPANCY

The complete terms and conditions are published in the Student Handbook, which is incorporated herein by reference.

1. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which demonstrates due regard for their fellow residents. All rules of the residence halls and University must be followed, including those that are published in the Student Handbook, and in all Student Life and Housing publications.
2. Students should be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the University.
3. This Residence License is non- transferable. You may only reside in the room you have been assigned by Student Life and Housing.
4. Assigned rooms will not be available for occupancy or storage prior to the date set by Student Life and Housing.

Students residing in residence halls must vacate their room and return keys no later than 24 hours after their last final exam, and failure to do so will result in a fine. Graduating students who will be attending commencement exercises must vacate their room following the graduation ceremony. Failure to move out within the prescribed period will result in fines and possible eviction. The University will not be held responsible for students’ belongings and reserves the right to confiscate and dispose of belongings left in the residence halls after the official closing. Rooms must meet minimum cleanliness standards throughout the year.

STUDENT CONDUCT/STUDENT HANDBOOK

Residential students are subject to all rules and regulations as specified in the Student Handbook. The responsibility rests with each student to become familiar with these guidelines. The University reserves the right to change or amend the University Catalog and the Student Handbook when deemed necessary for the safety and comfort of all students. Said changes, when made, are hereby made a part of this agreement.

KEY POLICY

Each student is issued key(s) to his/her room and building. Loss of these keys during residency or failure to return a key at check-out will result in charges being assessed for a replacement key and lock. Misuse of or giving room keys or building/student ID to another person can result in a fine, expulsion from the University, or other penalty imposed by the University. The University considers misuse of a student ID or a key a very serious offense as it compromises the safety of all students.

MEAL PLAN POLICY

1st and 2nd year students living on campus are required to purchase either the Unlimited Meal Plan or the Block 175 Meal Plan. Any applications for meal plan exemptions or reductions should be addressed to the Student Life Office.

The Meal Plan begins with the first meal the dining hall is open for new and returning students as per the academic calendar. The meal plan will end with the noon meal 24 hours after the last day of finals. During recess periods (Fall Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, and Easter Break), meals will not be served following the noon meal on the last day of classes before the recess until the dinner meal on the day before classes resume.

RIGHT TO PRIVACY

Residence Life, University Administrators, Campus Safety & Security, and Campus Maintenance, Custodial, Facilities may make reasonable warrantless searches in emergencies, for necessary maintenance, inventory, health and safety inspections, or to enforce appropriate regulations which further the educational mission of the University and keep students, faculty, staff and guests safe. Searches may be conducted with the authorization of the Director of Student Life and Housing, Campus Safety & Security personnel, or designated USF Administrators for evidence of suspected illegal activity.

TERMINATION BY THE STUDENT

After occupancy, students are bound to this agreement for the full academic year. If it becomes necessary for a student to withdraw from the University during the term of this agreement, the room and board charges will be in accordance with the Refund Policy. Students moving from the residence hall prior to the end of the agreement will be charged the full fee for room and board charges. Returning students who participate in room draw and then withdraw from housing for any reason other than withdrawing from the university or academic suspension will still be responsible for terms defined in the USF Student Handbook.

TERMINATION BY THE UNIVERSITY

Upon reasonable notice and for good cause, the University reserves the right to terminate the agreement for the failure of the student to abide thereby. Examples of good causes are suspension from the University, disciplinary action, and failure to comply with the Student Handbook and the University Catalog which are hereby made a part of the agreement. Reasonable notice of termination will normally be twenty-four (24) hours, unless the safety of students is a risk.

This agreement is made on the assumption that the student is duly registered as a full time student at the University of Sioux Falls. If a student stops attending classes for any reason and/or withdraws from the University, the room must be vacated within 24 hours unless special permission has been granted by Student Life and Housing.