The University of Southern Mississippi considers the Residence Life contract to be a legally binding document on the part of the student and the University. Students who wish to leave University housing during the contract period are given two options:
(1) Buyout or (2) Appeal

Buyout Option

This option allows registered students to leave University housing during the contract period using the following procedures:

1. Seek Residence Life assistance as needed (hall staff, administrative staff available).
2. Check out of the residence hall prior to buyout request (if cancelling after residing in the residence hall).
3. Submit online buyout request by noon on Monday, February 8, 2010.
4. Pay half the room rate for the semester of cancelled contract. Note: The processing fee is nonrefundable and not considered part of the room rate.

By selecting the buyout only option, the student agrees to accept the 50 percent buyout without appeal.

Appeal Option

The Department of Residence Life offers an appeal process by which a resident may request to be released from the academic year housing contract or be given a reduced buyout.

This option allows registered students to leave University housing during the contract period using the following procedures:

1. Seek Residence Life assistance as needed (hall staff, administrative staff available).
2. Check out of the residence hall prior to submitting appeal (if cancelling after residing in the residence hall).
3. Submit online appeal request by noon on Monday, February 8, 2010.
4. Provide all supporting documentation to be considered with appeal (i.e. bills, medical records, work/class schedule) prior to the 15th working day of the semester.
5. Pay half the room rate for the semester of cancelled contract. Students are responsible for the buyout portion of the contract unless released by the Appeal Committee. The processing fee is nonrefundable and not considered part of the room rate.
6. Attend mandatory appeal meeting once scheduled. The appeal hearing will take place after the February 8 submission date.

Once an appeal petition is submitted, it is first reviewed by the Department of Residence Life then forwarded to the Residence Life/Dining Services Appeal Committee. A hearing will be scheduled to review testimony and documentation. Attendance is mandatory. Students failing to appear for the scheduled hearing will forfeit the right to appeal and will remain responsible for paying the fee for campus housing and dining services. Petitions are generally decided based upon the factors of the circumstances and steps taken to resolve. Appeal hearing decisions are final.

By selecting the appeal option, the student agrees to accept the 50 percent buyout unless full release or reduced buyout is granted by the Appeal Committee after the mandatory hearing. Note: The processing fee is nonrefundable and not considered part of the room rate.

**Click here to submit the Buyout form.

**Click here to submit the Appeal form.