HOUSING AND DINING SERVICES CONTRACT RELEASE PROTOCOL
All students who have signed a housing contract are subject to the Terms and Conditions which state that “the contract is enforceable for the entire academic year (both fall 2007 and spring 2008 semesters).”
Per the contract Terms and Conditions, the University commits to the student a residence hall space and denies other student’s on-campus housing based upon the signed contract. Therefore, students wishing to appeal these requirements must submit a Housing & Dining Services (HDS) Contract Release Request Form to the Office of Housing & Residential Life, Elmwood Hall, to be reviewed by the HDS Contract Release Committee. The following information outlines the housing contract release request process.
To begin, a HDS Contract Release Request Form may be obtained at the Office of Housing & Residential Life, Elmwood Hall or, a student may choose to download, print, and complete a HDS Contract Release Request Form.
All Contract Release Request Forms must be accompanied by a summary of the reasons for needing or requesting the appeal. This should be typed and submitted with the HDS Contract Release Request Form to the Office of Housing & Residential Life.
Priority Deadlines:
January 11, 2008 For Spring 2008 semester release requests
August 1, 2008 For Fall 2008 semester release requests
Submitting requestss after the priority deadline may result in a decision being rendered after the start of the semester
Documentation supporting an appeal petition must also be submitted with the Housing Appeal Form. Examples of supporting documentation include and are not limited to:
· A letter from a physician explaining in detail a student’s inability to live in on-campus housing.
· Documentation supporting an unanticipated financial need or hardship arising after the student’s housing contract was signed and how living off campus will alleviate that hardship.
· Documentation from the Registrar that demonstrates the student is enrolled in less than 12 credits.
· A copy of military orders which include the date a student is required to report for active duty.
All requests will be reviewed by the HDS Contract Release Committee and decided on a case by case basis. The Committee will make recommendations to approve or deny the contract request to the Director of Housing & Residential Life and Director of Campus Services.
The Director of Housing & Residential Life will communicate the decision to the student via their official UMass Dartmouth E-mail account address. This information will not be released to the parent(s) or guardian without permission of the student as this information is covered under the FERPA privacy laws.
Unless the student is not physically or mentally able to do so, this process should be initiated and completed by the student. Questions concerning this process should be directed to the Office of Housing & Residential Life at 508.999.8140 or via E-mail: housing@umassd.edu
Last Updated On: 1/16/08
