|
Cancellation of Housing Reservation
Students who will be enrolled are obligated to fulfill the housing agreement once submitted to the University. You will not be released from your contract to move to off-campus housing or to commute during the agreement period. You are responsible for all room and board charges assessed under the terms of the housing agreement for the entire academic year or until the agreement is terminated by University Housing Operations. See Contract Release section for additional information.
Students who decide not to attend SVSU must submit written notification to the Office of University Housing Operations in order to cancel the University Housing Agreement. University Housing Operations is not notified by other University departments of a student’s withdrawal or change in status. (You are not released from your Housing Contract if you re-enroll during the contract period.)
Check Out of Housing
Residents are expected to vacate their rooms by the day, time and procedures posted at the end of each semester. Rooms are to be left clean and in the same general condition as they were at the beginning of the contract period. Residents must reassemble beds before vacating. Residents with late examinations or special circumstances that prevent leaving by the date and time specified must contact the Housing Operations office to request special arrangements. Last minute requests will not be honored. Any departure must involve proper checkout procedures. Limited guest housing may be available for a fee. Residents are required to check out and leave campus within 24 hours after their last exam or before 4:00pm on the last Friday of finals week, unless other arrangements have been approved by the Office of Housing Operations or the Resident Director.
Contract Releases
As previously stated, the SVSU University Housing Agreement is a legally binding contract that represents the responsibilities and obligations of the parties involved. The SVSU University Housing Agreement enables: 1. students enrolled at the University to receive housing facilities and dining services at equitable rates; and, 2. the University to budget for operating expenditures and repayment of debt associated with the construction of the housing and dining service facilities based upon the number of student contracts received. The University's financial commitments are long term, requiring a certain level of assurance that adequate revenue will be available to pay operating expenditures and debt service payments. It is important, therefore, that the contract be honored for the entire year. The expenditures necessary to operate and finance the facilities and to provide services such as utilities, custodial, and food are fixed for the entire academic year and are based upon the initial promise of students to honor the terms of the University Housing Agreement. The expenses do not stop if students leave. The University will only release residents from their contracts if they: 1. graduate during the contract period; 2. totally withdraw from classes; 3. are academically dismissed from the University; 4. participate in a SVSU study abroad program during the contract period. Residents who withdraw or are academically dismissed will be charged a pro-rated amount for the actual days in residence and a contract cancellation charge of $100. It is the responsibility of the resident student to notify the Office of University Housing Operations in writing of any change in student status. Residents must properly check-out of University Housing in order to complete withdrawal from Saginaw Valley State University. The University at its discretion will consider contract releases for reasons outside of the aforementioned criteria only if the circumstances are sufficiently extreme or catastrophic in nature. Requests of this nature must be submitted in writing to the Office of University Housing Operations and should include supporting documentation. Should a special request for release be approved, the student will be required to pay a contract cancellation charge of $200.00. Special requests that are approved subsequent to occupancy will be charged a pro-rated amount for the actual days in residence and a contract cancellation charge of $200.00. Unless officially released in writing from the University Housing Agreement, students will be held responsible for all room and board charges assessed under the terms of the housing agreement for the entire academic year. Students should not forego services or make future housing commitments until they are officially released in writing by the Office of University Housing Operations. You are not released from your Housing Contract due to withdrawal if you re-enroll during the contact period.
Liability
The University assumes no liability for claims of loss, injury or damage to people or property incidental to the occupancy or use of University housing. Each resident accepts full responsibility for the safety and security of his or her own personal property; renter’s insurance is strongly encouraged.
Occupancy
Students may occupy their rooms according to the schedule published by the Office of University Housing Operations. No student will be allowed to occupy a room in advance of the official opening of housing facilities or other published periods with the exception of University sponsored programs. All University housing facilities will remain open during Labor Day, Thanksgiving and mid-semester break; however, Dining Services may be limited or unavailable. The First Year Suites and Living Centers will be closed during the semester break between fall and winter. Residents who must remain in the Saginaw area should make other arrangements for housing during that period between semesters. Residents returning to the same room after a semester break may leave personal belongings in the suite at their own risk. Limited guest housing space may be available during the semester break at contracted rates. Any individual/resident who improperly occupies a room (i.e. does not check-in, has not been assigned to that room, has not signed a University Housing Agreement, etc.) will be considered a trespasser under the laws of the State of Michigan and will be subject to arrest.
Payments
By signing the University Housing Agreement, you agree to make payment(s) according to the payment schedule. If you plan on utilizing scholarships, student loans or any other student financial aid, you must submit the appropriate application materials to the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid in a timely manner to ensure adequate time to complete any required review processes and your ability to meet payment deadlines. Failure to meet payment deadlines will result in your removal from registered classes and University housing. (You are not released from your Housing Contract if you re-enroll during the contract period.)
Reassignment & Consolidation
The Office of University Housing Operations reserves the absolute right to change room assignments or to require a student to move to a different room assignment. This includes assigning a second student to a double room in which only one student is living to bring it to normal capacity. The right also is reserved to assign or reassign rooms in any way that will best utilize the facilities available. For this purpose or for other reasonable cause, the Office of University Housing Operations may change room assignments or require a student to move to different accommodations. The University also reserves the right to assign students to overflow accommodations (triples), in the event that sufficient regular spaces are not available at the beginning of the semester.
If a resident who has requested a double occupancy room does not have a roommate, he /she will be given reasonable opportunity to find a roommate, move to another double occupancy room or pay for a single room. If a resident does not choose a course of action, the Office of University Housing Operations will select the option that best suits the University.
Refunds
In those instances when a resident has been officially released (in writing) from the University Housing Contract, all advance payments on room and board, except the charge for actual days in residence, and the applicable contract release charge,will be refunded. Students who are officially released from their contract, but will still be attending classes may be charged 100% of the remainder of the contracted amount for the academic year. No refunds are made to residents checking out of University housing during the final two weeks of the semester. Removal from housing for disciplinary reasons will result in the student remaining obligated for 100% of the contracted amount for the academic year.
Room Entry & Inspection
In accordance with the University Housing Contract, the student resident agrees to allow the University, its agents and employees access at all times to inspect the premises and for purposes of maintaining the health, safety and general welfare, including, but not limited to, repairs, general maintenance, delivery of University notifications and inventory. Inspections may occur during breaks or recesses in order to check for open windows, thermostat settings, cleanliness and other administrative concerns. The University also reserves the right to inspect a particular room/apartment when staff has reasonable cause to believe that established health, safety or University rules and regulations are being violated. Upon inspection of a students’ room/apartment, if the Housing or Residential Life staff find any violations of federal, state, local or University rules and regulations the occupants will be referred for disciplinary action.
Selling, Advertising, Soliciting
Residents may not engage in, or invite any firm or corporation to engage in, the business of selling or advertising any services or products, or take orders or make contracts for the delivery of services or products, on University property without prior approval. If you are approached by a solicitor, do not give out your name, social security number, etc. If solicitation is observed, please contact University Police at 4141 and give location of solicitors.
Semester Break/Closings
The First Year Suites, Living Center North and Living Center South will close following final exams on Friday, December 12, 2008 and re-open on Sunday, January 11, 2009, prior to classes. Residents of those facilities are to leave no more than 24 hours after their last exam, unless they have written permission from University Housing Operations or Residential Life to remain longer. Residents are not permitted to remain in the residence halls and are encouraged to take valuables home. Residents of University Village East, University Village West and Pine Grove Apartments have access to their units during the semester break
Termination of Contract by University
The University, at its option, may terminate this agreement and take possession of the room without notice to quit at any time for violation of any of the regulations or provisions herein; failure to comply with other rules and regulations of the University; failure of resident to timely pay any charges required under this agreement; or when the student is no longer enrolled in at least six credit hours in good standing at the University. In addition, when in the opinion of the University, a condition constitutes a clear and present danger to the health, safety or security of others, the University has the right to take whatever steps are necessary to remedy the situation. These steps may include termination of the resident’s occupancy of the licensed premises. Action of this nature is subject to review through normal University channels and remains in effect until reversed or rescinded. Removal from University housing for disciplinary reasons or failure to pay timely will result in the student remaining obligated for 100% of the contracted amount for the academic year. If legal action is required to remove a resident from the premises, The University shall be entitled to collect its costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees, incurred in removing the resident.
Withdrawl of University Registration
Students who withdraw from the University must contact the Office of University Housing Operations immediately and in person to terminate the housing contract. Notification is the responsibility of the student - - other University departments will NOT notify the Office of University Housing Operations of a student’s change in status. Appropriate withdrawal also includes properly checking-out through a Residential Life staff member, cleaning the assigned quarters, removing belongings and returning a key. Failure to properly check-out will result in the imposition of a $100 improper check-out fee.