Housing & Dining Terms/Conditions 2009-2010

Academic Year Contract
This contract is legally binding and enforceable for the entire academic year (both fall and spring semesters). This contract will remain in force for the duration of residency and includes financial responsibility for the entire contract period. The contract remains binding after the fall semester, unless the student is on an approved leave or official withdrawal from the University. Failure to pick up a key(s) and/or check-in does not release a student from the contract.

Eligibility
Occupants of residence halls must be full-time registered UMass Dartmouth or SNESL students. Less than full-time students must seek exception from the Director of Housing & Residential Life.

Guarantee of Housing
Students who have not checked in nor occupied their room by the first academic day of classes each semester may lose their specific housing room assignment unless the Housing Office is notified in writing (housing @umassd.edu) to request a later arrival date and such arrangements have been approved by University Housing prior to the first day of classes.

Parties
The parties to this contract are the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and the student (or parent of a student less than 18 years of age) who signs the contract.

Signing the Contract
All students who live in the residences must sign (electronically or physically) the Residence Hall contract. All students are responsible for complying with the rules, policies, regulations, and procedures contained in this document, official University publications, and the Housing & Residential Life website, http://www.umassd.edu/housing/. The student's signature on the Residence Hall Contract binds the student to the Residence Hall Contract. Questions regarding the Residence Hall Contract should be referred to the Housing Main Office, Oak Glenn Hall, 508.999.8140.

Termination of Contract
Students who request contract termination must submit their written request and required documentation to:

Director of Housing & Residential Life
UMass Dartmouth
285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747

or via E-mail: housing@umassd.edu.

A copy of the request for the contract termination process is available at: http://www.umassd.edu/housing/md2009/forms/releaseappeal.cfm.

The student may request termination of the contract and/or the University may terminate this contract if one or more of the following criteria are met and verifying documentation is provided:

• Withdrawal from the University
• Participation in an approved academic program which requires off-campus residency
• The existence of a documented medical problem which cannot be accommodated within the residence hall system
• Legal marriage after entering into the contract
• The student does not enroll and maintain a full-time course load each semester,
• The student has an unpaid balance to the University and/or Housing two weeks prior to the beginning of the Fall or Spring semester
• The existence of severe financial hardship as determined by the Housing & Dining Services Contract Release Committee which cannot be alleviated by the Financial Aid Office
• The University deems it necessary to terminate a student's contract for violations of the UMass Dartmouth rules and regulations or other conduct that constitutes in any way a risk to the health, safety, or general well-being of the University Community. No refund of housing fees will be given to individuals removed from the residence halls by the University for disciplinary reasons.

A student withdrawing or withdrawn from the University must vacate his/her room within forty-eight hours of the date of withdrawal. Students who fail to vacate and complete a proper check-out will be subject to financial penalty and eviction. 

Refund Schedule
A student who remits, in advance, a payment for housing, but does not, subsequently,:

• sign a Housing contract
• register
• check into his/her housing assignment

will be given full refund of housing fees (not including the Housing deposit). All refunds are based on official withdrawal notices as dated and processed by the Office of the University Registrar and then forwarded to the Bursar's Office.

A student who registers and commences studies but then withdraws officially from UMass Dartmouth for any reason during an academic semester will be granted a housing refund according to the following refund schedule.

Fall Semester By October 2, 2009 - Pro-rated/Daily Rate
After October 2, 2009 - No Refund

Spring Semester By February 26, 2010 - Pro-Rated/Daily Rate
After February 26, 2010 - No Refund

Personal property remaining in the residence hall after the term of this contract has expired shall become the property of the University.

Assignment of Space
This agreement reserves a space and not a specific room. UMass Dartmouth reserves the right to reassign students to spaces other than the space specified on the contract. Space in the University residence halls will be assigned subject to the availability of space, and the reasonable ability of the University to match the student's request with available space. Assigned space is not transferable by the student. Space will be assigned without regard to race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, veteran status, or political belief/affiliation.

Requests for assignment changes will be accommodated on a space available basis. Residents seeking a room change should consult with their Resident Director to make an official request. Delivery of this contract by Housing & Residential Life constitutes an offer to provide a space. This agreement states the circumstances under which UMass Dartmouth agrees to provide a space in a residence hall room, suite, or apartment for the student named on the contract who must be enrolled full time on the UMass Dartmouth campus.

Duration of Occupancy
This contract authorizes occupancy during the academic year, excluding the following vacation periods: Thanksgiving, Intersession, Spring Break and Summer. A 12-month contract authorizes occupancy during the academic year, including the following vacation periods: Thanksgiving, Intersession, Spring Break and Summer.

Other on-campus living accommodations are not available during Thanksgiving, winter, and Spring Break periods unless granted special permission by Housing & Residential Life. Students must follow the directions announced via UMD Announce to request to remain in residence during break periods. Students must meet with their Resident Director to apply for residency by completing an application for break housing for each break period. If granted, an additional charge will be assessed for the break period.

The terms of the housing contract permit room occupancy by residents as of scheduled move-in dates established by the Housing Department. It includes all dates of academic classes as published in the University calendar and extends through finals testing periods each semester. Housing privileges end each semester 24-hours after a resident's final examination or by 5:00 p.m. on the last day of final examinations, whichever comes first. Graduating seniors may remain in residence until 7:00 p.m. on Graduation Day.

Early Arrivals
Early arrival accommodations in the Fall are made on a case by case basis. A daily rate will be billed to the student's account if approved to move-in early. Please note that moving in early is not always possible as our facilities are used in the summer and rooms may not be ready for occupancy. All requests for early arrival should be directed to and approved in advance by the Associate Director, Residential Life, Oak Glen Hall, 508.999.8995.

General Provisions
The University and/or Housing Department reserves the right to:

• change any room assignment
• change room rates prior to each semester or summer session
• enter and inspect student rooms at times convenient for the staff without prior notification if there is reasonable concern for the life or safety of room occupants or to perform necessary maintenance
• make other rules as deemed necessary for the protection of property and the safety, health, comfort and convenience of residents
• administratively relocate residents to new room assignments based upon a variety of factors such as un-resolvable roommate conflicts, disciplinary issues and the necessity to consolidate spaces.

Unauthorized Use
Any unauthorized use of UMass Dartmouth issued keys, accommodation of unauthorized guests, or unauthorized use of UMass Pass is prohibited.

Housing Deposit and Fees
The non-refundable housing deposit reserves an assignment until occupancy and is applied to the student's first semester housing fee. To be considered for an assignment in University Residences, the student agrees to pay the contract rates as they have been announced and posted on the Housing website.

Loss or Damage
UMass Dartmouth assumes no responsibility for loss of, or damage to, a resident's personal property and recommends that students purchase a renter's insurance policy.

Individual student room damage will be assessed as it occurs and at the end of the occupancy period. Common area damage will be assessed regularly through the contract period. A student account may be charged for common area and/or individual room damage. Damage or loss of University property outside of the student room in common building areas or common outside grounds that cannot be directly billed to an individual will be assessed to all residents of a suite, floor, apartment, or building.

Judicial Action
Failure of a resident or resident guest to comply with residence hall regulations and policies may necessitate disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Handbook. Residents are expected to comply with all applicable laws and University regulations, and to respect the rights, privileges and property of other members of the University community and visitors to the campus. Residents are further expected to refrain from actions that interfere with University or residence hall functions, or would endanger the health, safety, or welfare of themselves or others.

Commercial Activity
Under no circumstances may the rooms, buildings, or adjacent grounds of UMass Dartmouth residential areas be used for any commercial purpose or enterprise.

Meal Plans And Dining Services  (click to "Pick The Perfect Plan")
Residents assigned to Elmwood, Maple Ridge, Chestnut, Roberts, Oak Glen, and Pine Dale residence halls are required to obtain a meal plan. Students should select a meal plan option when completing the Housing contract. If a meal plan is not selected, by default, a 14 meal plan will be automatically assigned. The meal plan is also in effect for the entire contract period (academic year).

Woodlands and Cedar Dell residents are not required to purchase a meal plan, but do have meal plan options.

Refunds on pre-paid meal plan are considered only if a student officially withdraws from the University, or is absent from residency for ten or more consecutive days due to illness which is verified in writing by University Health Services or a physician. A resident who withdraws from UMass Dartmouth will be granted a refund of dining charges according to the following schedule, based on the day of withdrawal notice and proper check out from Residential housing is completed.

Fall Semester By October 2, 2009 - Pro-rated/Daily Rate
After October 2, 2009 - No Refund

Spring Semester By February 26, 2010 - Pro-Rated/Daily Rate
After February 26, 2010 - No Refund

For further information concerning the resident dining plan and policies, or for answers to questions not covered in this document, please visit the Dining Service website at http://www.umassdfood.com or contact the Campus Services Department at 508-910-6440.

Residents who wish to request a release from their meal plan must submit a Housing & Dining Services (HDS) Contract Release Request Form to the Office of Housing & Residential Life, Oak Glenn Hall. This release request will be reviewed by the HDS Contract Release Committee.

For additional information pertaining to the Housing & Dining Services Contract Release Protocol please refer to: http://www.umassd.edu/housing/md2009/forms/releaseappeal.cfm.

Check-in and Check-out
The University and the student will, prior to the occupation of assigned space, complete and sign an inventory form which verifies the number and condition of furnishings, and the condition of the premises assigned to the student. This inventory will be completed again at the end of the students' occupancy and will serve as the basis for determining billable damages to the room and furnishings. The University may require an interim inventory to be completed prior to the end of the student's occupancy if the University has reason to believe that substantial damage to the premises or property has occurred. A proper check out requires a student to remove all their belongings from their room and hand-return their key to their Resident Assistant or Resident Director to avoid improper check-out and lock re-core fees.

University Housing Obligations
The University will furnish utilities to each residence hall. The University shall also provide maintenance service in the event of mechanical difficulties or interruptions of any utility service which is under control and/or ownership of the University and seek such service in the event such difficulties or interruptions arise in facilities or equipment serving the University but not under University control. There will be no adjustment of housing fees because of the University's inability to restore service for a reasonable period of time.

The University shall, within a reasonable time, exercise reasonable care to correct unsafe conditions in the residence halls and maintain the residence halls in good repair. The student may request maintenance service to repair or replace broken and/or malfunctioning items within the residences through their Resident Assistant or Resident Director. Students should report any unsafe conditions immediately to Residential Life staff.

Student Obligation
It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of the Terms and Conditions of the Residence Hall Contract as well as the Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct and to understand that they are in effect at all times, including the academic year, holiday breaks, Intersession, summer sessions and any early arrival periods. As students of UMass Dartmouth, residents shall be subject to all rights, duties, regulations, policies and procedures of the University and of all local, state, and federal government laws and ordinances. Student University E-mail accounts are the official means of communication from the University. Students are responsible for checking their University E-mail accounts for important Housing communication and all official University notices and announcements. Failure to read and respond to e-mail will not be cause for appeal or reconsideration.

 

 Last Updated On: 5/18/09