The University of Southern Mississippi - Department of Residence Life

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Department of Residence Life
Housing Contract
CANCELLATION DEADLINE: JUNE 15, 2010
Terms and Conditions - University Housing Policies

Period of Contract Academic Year – August 2010 to May 2011
*Note: The residence halls are closed during the holiday and spring breaks. Please refer to section four of this contract, as well as the Break Housing link on our Web site for more information.
University Housing Policy – This signed contract becomes a legally binding document between the University and the signee for both the fall and spring semester or balance remaining at the time of assignment. The residence hall application and contract are for residence hall accommodations and do not guarantee specific hall or roommate preferences. Residents must be accepted to the University and enrolled to live on campus, and are responsible for knowing and abiding by the rules and regulations contained in the housing contract, the University handbook, Residence Life handbook and updates posted on the Web site.

Housing Reservation Procedures
(A) New/Transfer Students
1. Begin the application process to Southern Miss and receive a student ID number from the Admissions office. *In order to receive an assignment, a student must be formally admitted to the University.
2. Complete the online housing application
3. Pay the $75 non-refundable processing fee online (WILL BE $150 AFTER JUNE 15)
(B) Current Residents (to increase the chances of having your room request granted)
1. Submit contract during the reassignment window
2. The $75 non-refundable processing fee will be charged to your student account (WILL BE $150 AFTER JUNE 15)
(C) Prior Housing Applicants
1. Complete the online housing application
2. Pay the $75 non-refundable processing fee online (WILL BE $150 AFTER JUNE 15)

Break Housing – It is the student’s responsibility to make reservations for housing and find a roommate to share expenses during the breaks. Residence Life is not responsible for accommodations during this time. Students wishing to take advantage of break housing should contact the Western Motel (3501 Hardy Street) at 601.264.0100. *Must present a valid USM ID and be residing in a residence hall and enrolled in the fall and spring semesters.
Housing Fee – The contract binds a student to pay housing rental fees according to the University payment schedule for one academic year as indicated in paragraph one. The rental fee is billed per semester and is subject to final approval by the Board of Trustees.

Assignment Process – Date of application is very important in obtaining space in University housing. Roommate preferences and hall preferences are honored in accordance with availability at the time of assignment. Continuing students who request housing after the designated reassignment window will lose assignment priority. These students will be processed after a review of variables such as GPA, housing history, prior discipline issues, application date, etc. This contract does not guarantee housing if all spaces are filled in the residence halls prior to the time a student’s application is complete. The University encourages diversity and does not make housing assignments on a segregated basis with regard to race, religion, color, national origin or disability.

Cancellation Prior to Start of Semester – Cancellations must be made in writing and postmarked by the cancellation deadline. The academic year rental agreement becomes binding after the cancellation period has passed (June 15 for the fall 2010 semester). Persons enrolled at the University will be held to the terms of the contract if written cancellation is not received by the posted date and will be financially responsible for both fall and spring semester rent. New applicants for spring semester housing must submit written cancellation to the residence life office before the posted date in order to be released from the housing contract. New applicants canceling after the posted date will be held to the terms of the new contract.

Spring Cancellations – The following are examples of spring cancellations where housing fees are waived:
1. Withdrawal from Southern Miss
2. Marriage (with documentation)
3. Student teaching, internship or study abroad (with documentation)
1. Provide written notification prior to cancellation deadline
2. Provide supporting documentation of circumstances

Prorated Credit Limitation – If a student chooses to cancel his/her assignment during the academic term, and he/she is no longer enrolled in classes, the account will be prorated from the day of check out and submission of cancellation through the end of the semester. However, if cancelling after Dec. 1 for the fall semester or May 1 for the spring semester, the student's account will not be prorated. Proration ends with the designated buyout/appeal deadline unless the student officially withdraws from the University or is released due to special circumstances as approved by the Department of Residence Life.
Buyout Option – Offered to students who wish to leave University housing in the middle of the contract period.
1. Provide written request prior to the 15th working day of the semester
2. Pay half the room rate for the semester
Contract Appeals – The Department of Residence Life offers an appeal process by which a resident may request to be released from the academic year housing contract. The appeals application form and documentation must be completed and returned to the Residence Life office by the 15th working day of the semester for which the release is requested. An appeals meeting will then be scheduled; attendance is mandatory for appeal to be considered.

Right of the University to Cancel – The University reserves the right to refuse admission or readmission to University housing or to cancel the contract during the academic year for the student’s failure to meet university requirements, policies or regulations, or in the event of felony conviction by civil authorities, or for posing a threat to the health, safety and welfare for the signee or others in the university community. Cancellation of the contract for the above reasons may result in the eviction of the resident within one to three days notice, except where the university determines that the continued residency of the student would pose a danger to the health or welfare of the residential community. In this case, the student may be evicted immediately without a refund of prepaid rent. In the event the accommodations assigned to the student are destroyed or otherwise made unavailable and the university does not furnish accommodations, the contract shall terminate, all rights and liabilities of the parties hereto shall cease; and rental payments previously made shall be refunded on a prorated basis as of the date accommodations become unavailable.

Consolidation – All university housing rooms are to be occupied by two students, with the exception of the approved single occupancy assignments. If one of the occupants moves from the assigned space, the student who remains agrees to move to another room or to accept another roommate. The residence hall staff will assist the resident with consolidation, but it is the resident’s responsibility to find a person with whom to share a room and to consolidate by the designated deadline. Where there is not a student with whom to consolidate, the occupant agrees that the areas must be maintained in a manner that will allow another student to move in immediately. The university reserves the right to reassign residents during the semester in order to consolidate vacant spaces and to increase occupancy.

Right of the University to Relocate Residents – The University reserves the right to relocate residents from one space to another when it is determined, in its sole and absolute discretion that the move is in the resident’s best interest or those of his or her fellow students. Also, when it is determined a resident is not residing in an assigned space, the university reserves the right to relocate the resident. The resident will be notified in writing of his or her obligation to the housing contract and will be advised that a space will be reserved should the resident decide to return to campus housing.
Housing Changes – The resident agrees to abide by all regulations with regard to changing assignments. Approved room/hall changes occur during designated periods each semester. A $50 charge may be levied against students moving out of, into, or within university housing without having authorization from the assistant director of Residence Life. Once a housing change has been approved, the student must move within a specified timeframe, or risk being assessed with financial penalties.

Responsible for Personal Property – The resident assumes all responsibility for personal property. The University does not assume any legal obligation for any resident’s personal property that may be lost or damaged in its buildings or on its grounds. Students are encouraged to obtain personal property loss insurance.

Responsibility for Room – The resident is responsible for the condition of the assigned space and shall reimburse the University for all damage to the space, whether the damage was a result of committing an act or failure to do an act to prevent the damage. The resident is also responsible for loss of fixtures, furnishings or properties furnished under the contract. No alterations are to be made to the furniture provided by the University. Every piece of furniture in the room at the time the resident moved in must stay there for the duration of the residency. The resident may not move, trade or store furnishings from their space. There is an automatic $50 charge for violating this policy. Additional furniture brought into your room must be freestanding and clear of all existing furniture, fixtures, or walls contained in the room. Students will be required to complete a Room Condition Report within 24 hours of occupancy, and return it to their resident assistant. When occupancy is terminated, students must obtain housing clearance. A residence life staff member will inspect the area and assess for damages and missing property. Residents vacating housing without following this procedure, unless following express checkout procedures, will be charged $50 plus the cost of repairs of replacement resulting from damages or missing items. If necessary, cleaning charges will be assessed.

Responsibility for Communal Property – (including, but not limited to hallways, baths, stairwells, elevators, lounge, studies, utility rooms and kitchens). Residents are expected to take every precaution to assure that communal property is not abused. In halls or sections where the University has determined that there is undue abuse of property and the responsible individuals cannot be identified, all residents may be held responsible for paying a prorated share of the cost of repairing such damages. Where organizations have exclusive use of an area, those organizations are responsible for reimbursing the University for Cost Repairs if the responsible individual(s) cannot be identified. Where it is determined that organizations are not in support of housing regulations, they will lose use of the area. The University reserves the right to determine the use of all lounges, common and public areas in the residence halls.

Firearms, Explosives, Fireworks, Flammables – The possession or use of firearms, ammunition, tazers, explosives, fireworks, candles, halogen lamps and other items detailed in the Residence Life handbook is prohibited and can result in immediate eviction from university housing and/or suspension from the university.
Fire Safety – Evacuation of university buildings is mandatory when a fire alarm sounds. The sounding of false alarms and tampering with fire fighting or safety equipment including extinguishers, hoses, smoke detectors, EXIT signs, or pull boxes is prohibited. Those suspected of such offenses are subject to appropriate disciplinary action by the University.

Guests and Visitation – Residents are responsible for the conduct of their guests and must be present for the duration of the visit. The resident agrees to abide by the visitation policy detailed in the Residence Life handbook. The maximum visitation of guests extends from 11 a.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday (seven-days-a-week). Visitation privileges do not extend to bathroom facilities on residential floors. All persons must comply with visitation regulations applicable to the visited area. The administration reserves the right to alter or terminate the visitation program if the program is determined not to be in the best interest of the university.

Inspections – The University reserves the right to enter residence hall rooms for inspection of facilities; for health, safety and maintenance; for damage to space or equipment; and to uphold university policy.
Keys and Access Cards – The resident agrees not to loan/duplicate keys and/or access cards. All lost/stolen keys or access cards must be reported immediately. Keys and access cards must be returned when occupancy is terminated. If a key/access card is not returned, a fee will be assessed to the resident.

Quiet Hours – Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day. Strict quiet hours are in effect from 11 p.m. until 8 a.m. each day, and shall be in effect in all halls 24 hours a day for a minimum of seven days before final examinations, and continue throughout the exam period.

Mail/E-Mail – All students residing in university housing are assigned a post office box and an e-mail address. It is the responsibility of student to get his or her post office box number, combination and e-mail address from the respective areas. All information sent to students via mail and/or e-mail is the responsibility of the student to secure. A post office box fee is assessed to each residence hall student by the university post office.
Incident Reports – An incident report constitutes administrative written notice concerning an infraction of the university housing policy. These reports are issued by the resident assistants or other designated persons by the Office of Student Affairs.

Smoking – All residence halls are smoke free. Smoking is prohibited. Residents may smoke outside the residence halls as long as they remain 20 feet away from the buildings.
Alcohol and Controlled Substances – Residents agree to refrain from the use, possession, or sale of any and all illegal narcotics or other controlled substances. Residents must abide by the University and Residence Life alcohol policy. Violations of Mississippi law and University policy are considered serious and may result in appropriate disciplinary action by the University.

Responsibilities of the University – The University agrees to exercise reasonable caution to safeguard the health, safety and property of each resident, and will make a good faith effort to repair defects in the residence halls. The University shall not be liable for failure of water supply, electrical current, or heating and cooling systems; presence of inspects or vermin; and the loss, damage, or injury to a resident or his or her guest or property.
Security – Visitors must enter and exit only by main entrance to hall. Disciplinary action will be taken against students who prop doors open or exit alarmed doors. For personal safety, windows must be kept locked.

Meal Memberships – All students living in a residence hall will automatically be assigned a meal plan. For more information on meal memberships and/or to change your meal plan, visit http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/CSS/UnivSouthernMS or call the Eagle Dining office at 601.266.5376.