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I.INTRODUCTION
The Catholic University of America (hereinafter “the university”) and the undersigned resident student (hereinafter “the resident” or “student”) hereby agree to the following terms and conditions. The Residence Hall and Dining Services Agreement (hereinafter “the agreement”) is binding for the entire academic year. The university shall provide the resident with an assigned space in a residence hall room (“the premises”). The assignment shall commence and terminate as indicated in room assignment information available in the Office of Housing and Residential Services in St. Bonaventure Hall (hereinafter “HRS”).
All materials contained herein are an integral and binding part of this agreement. Residence hall policies and regulations in the CUA Student Handbook, the Residential Guidebook, and the CUA Catalog Announcements and on the HRS Web site and the CUA Policies and Procedures Website are hereby incorporated into this agreement and are binding on all parties to this agreement. It is the resident’s responsibility to become familiar with all provisions of this agreement.
The director of HRS can waive no term or condition of this agreement unless required by law and made in writing. No oral statement made by any agent of HRS shall be considered a waiver of any term or condition.
II. DATES OF OCCUPANCY
A. For undergraduates, residence halls normally open and close according to the following schedule:
1. Fall semester opening is generally the first day of orientation for freshman and new transfer students or on the Saturday prior to the first day of undergraduate classes for all other undergraduates. Fall semester closing is generally within 24 hours after the resident’s last exam and no later than 12:00 noon on the day following finals.
2. Spring semester opening is generally on the Sunday before the first day of classes of the spring semester. Spring semester closing for non-graduating students is generally within 24 hours after the resident’s last exam and no later than 12:00 noon on the day following finals. Graduating undergraduate residents are normally able to reside in the residence halls until 12:00 noon
the day following graduation exercises in May.
B. For graduate and law students, residence halls normally open and close according to the following schedule:
1. Fall semester opening is generally the Saturday prior to the first day of graduate classes in the fall semester. The residence halls do not close at the end of the fall semester for those students who will be continuing in on-campus housing for the spring semester. For those students leaving housing at the end of the fall semester due to approved cancellation as outlined in section IV.H.4 of this agreement, closing is generally within 24 hours after the resident’s last exam and no later than 12:00 noon on the day following finals.
2. Spring semester opening is generally the day prior to the start of graduate classes in the spring semester. Spring semester closing is generally within 24 hours after the resident’s last exam and no later than 12:00 noon on the day following finals in the spring semester. Graduating graduate and law residents are normally able to reside in the residence halls until 12:00 noon the day following graduation exercises in May.
III. PAYMENTS
A. This agreement is in effect until terminated by the university or express cancellation by student accompanied by written university acceptance. Mere failure by the student to pay charges does not constitute cancellation of this agreement by the student.
B. The student understands and agrees that the agreement is for a space in the residence halls and not for a specific room or building. In consideration of the assignment of the room, the student agrees to pay the university the appropriate charge for that type of room.
C. CUA students who are returning to on-campus housing agree to pay the university a nonrefundable $400 prepayment upon entering into this agreement. The prepayment will be credited toward the student’s account for the first semester covered by this agreement.
D. Newly admitted students agree to pay the appropriate residential student enrollment deposit upon entering into this agreement. This enrollment deposit is nonrefundable and must be paid to the Office of Admissions prior to the student being permitted to submit an application for on-campus housing.
E. All students are charged for housing through their student accounts. The student understands and agrees to pay the university for every day that the student occupies a space in the residence halls. Occupying a space includes, but is not limited to, physically dwelling in the space, retaining keys to the space and maintaining belongings in the space
F. All students who contract for, or who are required to contract for, a meal plan are charged for dining services through their student accounts.
G. Failure by the student to pay for all charges does not constitute the cancellation of this agreement by the student.
IV. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
A.Purpose
The student will use the premises for residential and educational purposes in accordance with this agreement and its general policies.
B.Residency Requirement
The university requires all freshman and sophomore students to live in on-campus housing. Exceptions to the residency requirement may be made for students who are 21 years of age or older, married, or who reside with a parent or legal guardian within 20 miles of the campus.
C. Assignments
The university reserves the right to make room assignments, to authorize or deny room and roommate changes, to consolidate vacancies and to require a student to move from one room or residence hall to another. The university further reserves the right to make room changes during the year as deemed necessary by HRS.
The university reserves the right to terminate any student’s agreement, without refund of any monies, for failure to comply with residence hall regulations, university regulations, or if the student’s actions are found to be detrimental to the health or safety of themselves or others. The vice president of student life and the director of HRS, or their designees, are vested with the discretionary authority to remove students immediately from the residence halls if necessary.
The university reserves the right to assign students to temporary space when necessary. Students so assigned will be reassigned to permanent space as it becomes available.
Rooms in the residential facilities may only be occupied by the students assigned to them. A student’s right to occupy a room in the residential facilities pursuant to this agreement may not be assigned or transferred by the student. Room assignments may be changed only upon written authorization from HRS and after the student(s) involved have made a serious attempt to adjust to the situation. Under normal conditions, no changes of room assignments will be made during the first three weeks of each semester. It is the policy of the university to assign roommates without regard to race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion or handicap. Students of the opposite gender will not be assigned to, nor may they reside in, the same room.
D. Late Arrivals
Failure to occupy an assigned space by 5 p.m. on the first day of classes could result in assignment of the room to another student unless a student sends an advance written request for an extension of the arrival period and it is granted by HRS.
E. Room Condition
The university agrees to deliver and the resident agrees to maintain the assigned room and all public areas in and around the immediate building(s) accessible to the resident in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. Upon termination of this agreement, the student must leave the assigned room, its furnishings and its equipment in as good an order and condition as the same were upon commencement of the student’s occupancy, ordinary wear and tear excepted. University staff will check the room for cleaning/damages, charges for which will be assessed to the responsible individuals. Personal property left in a room following the termination of occupancy will be deemed abandoned. Students will be charged for the removal of such property.
F. Damages
The resident agrees that all damages to university property caused by the resident or the resident’s guest(s) will be repaired by the university at the expense of the resident. It is further agreed that all costs for damages occurring on the floor or building will be shared equally by all residents of that floor or building when individuals causing the damage cannot be precisely determined by the university. These charges will be billed to the residents of this room, floor, building or neighborhood.
G. University Liability
Residents are strongly encouraged to have insurance covering personal belongings. The university does not insure the personal property of any resident on or off campus. The university has no responsibility for any theft, damage, destruction, loss, etc., of any personal property, including, but not limited to, money, valuables, equipment or any personal property whatsoever belonging to or in the custody of the resident, whether caused by intentional or negligent act or failure to act or natural causes, fire or other casualty. The university is not liable for the failure or interruption of utilities or for conditions resulting from failure or interruption of the same.
H. Housing Cancellation Request Policy
Any student wishing to request cancellation of their agreement must submit a Residence Hall Agreement Cancellation Request form (available online or in HRS) to the Coordinator for Assignments in HRS. The following table illustrates the basics of the Housing Cancellation Request Policy. Please read the details below the table for more specific information.
|
Cancel Date |
Cancellation Approved |
Room Rent Charges (If Approved) |
Cancel Fee |
|
1. Before June 1 |
Yes |
Refunded |
$0 |
|
2. June 2 – July 15 |
Yes |
Refunded |
$250 |
|
3. July 16 – Check-In |
Only if not enrolled |
Refunded |
$500 |
|
4. Academic Year |
Varies |
Pro-rated on CUA refund schedule |
Varies |
|
5. No Show |
Only if not enrolled |
Charged for 7 days worth of rent. |
$500 |
1. Cancellation of Housing Prior to June 1:
When the request is received on or before June 1, the agreement will be cancelled and room rent charges will be removed from the student’s account. Returning students will be refunded their $400 housing deposit.
2. Cancellation of Housing June 2 - July 15:
When the request is received after June 1, but on or before July 15, the agreement will be cancelled and room rent charges will be removed from the student’s account. Returning students will also be charged a $250 housing cancellation fee.
3. Cancellation of Housing July 16 - the First Day of Check-In:
When the request is received after July 15, but prior to the date that the residence halls open at the beginning of the fall semester, the following will occur:
(a) If a student has a signed agreement on file and enrolls in classes for the fall semester, the student will be held responsible for fulfilling the agreement, including full payment of room charges, and a space will be reserved for the student on-campus.
(b) If a student has a signed agreement on file, but does not enroll in classes for the fall semester, the agreement will be cancelled, room rent charges will be removed from the student’s account and the student will be charged a $500 housing cancellation fee.
4. Cancellation of Housing during the Academic Year:
Generally, once classes have begun, requests for cancellation are only considered for the following reasons:
(a) Voluntary Withdrawal or Leave of Absence from the university after the student has officially withdrawn from the university with the appropriate written notification and approval as required by the university.
(b) Marriage, after such marriage has taken place and legal verification has been supplied to HRS.
(c) For reasons other than those listed, the student must be able to demonstrate that a significant, uncontrollable, and unforeseen change has occurred, since the time that the agreement was signed, that now requires release from the agreement. Verifiable third party documentation that supports the request must be provided at the time the request is made.
In the above cases, if cancellation is approved, the agreement will be cancelled and the student will be charged a $500 housing cancellation fee. Refunds of room charges will be made according to the university refund schedule. Vacating the premises and/or non-occupation of an assigned space does not release the student from contractual obligations.
Additionally, students may also request cancellation of their agreements in the following situations. In these cases, if approved, the students will be released from their agreement without being assessed a $500 cancellation fee.
(a) A resident will be released from the agreement at the end of the fall semester if requirements for graduation have been completed and the Residence Hall Agreement Cancellation Request form is received in HRS prior to December 1.
(b) A resident will be released from the agreement at the end of the fall semester if the student is working on a UNIVERSITY APPROVED study abroad program and the Residence Hall Agreement Cancellation Request form is received in HRS prior to December 1.
(c) A resident will be released from the agreement if they are called to active military duty so long as the resident submits a Residence Hall Agreement Cancellation Request form and a copy of their military orders. In this instance only, refunds of room charges will be made on a per diem basis.
5. Cancellation of Housing due to No Show:
In the event that a student does not arrive to check into their on-campus assignment and has not submitted a Residence Hall Agreement Cancellation Request form, the following will occur:
(a) If a student has a signed agreement on file and enrolls in classes for the fall semester, the student will be held responsible for fulfilling the agreement, including full payment of room charges, and a space will be reserved for the student on-campus.
(b) If a student has a signed agreement on file, but does not enroll in classes for the fall semester, the agreement will be cancelled, the student will be charged a $500 housing cancellation fee and the student will be responsible for paying room rent charges equal to one week (seven days) of occupancy
I. Cancellation Request Appeal Policy
In the event that a student submits a Residence Hall Agreement Cancellation Request form and his/her request is denied by the HRS Assignments Coordinator, the student may choose to submit a written appeal to the Housing Appeal Board. All requests must be submitted in writing within five business days of receipt of decision from the Assignments Coordinator. The Housing Appeals Board will meet to review all written materials in the case and will communicate a decision, in writing, to the student within 15 business days of receipt of the written appeal.
In the event that the Housing Appeals Board denies the student’s appeal and there are new facts regarding the case, the student may exercise one final appeal to the director of HRS. This appeal must contain new information not previously presented to the Assignments Coordinator and the Housing Appeals Board. The decision of the director is final and may not be appealed.
J. Refund Policy for Housing as Determined by the University Refund Schedule
Except where indicated otherwise, refunds of room and board will be made according to the following refund schedule. Cancellation fees are applicable as defined in this agreement. Room and board fees are refunded on a pro rata basis during the first week of the semester. Thereafter they are normally reduced at the rate of: 80 percent during the second week, 60 percent during the third week, 40 percent during the fourth week, 20 percent during the fifth week. No refunds are issued after the fifth week. Students who apply for and are approved for Early Arrival, who subsequently cancels their housing, will also be charged a pro rata fee for the time they spent in housing prior to the start of the normal residence hall opening.
K. Termination by the University
The university may terminate the agreement for the following reasons:
1. Repeated nonpayment;
2. Disciplinary suspension or expulsion of the student from the university;
3. Disciplinary eviction of the student from university housing;
4. Failure by the student to meet the university’s academic requirements; or
5. Violation of a material term or condition of occupancy by the student and/or his/her guest(s).
Those students whose agreements are terminated by the university during the winter break period following the fall semester are required to completely vacate their residence hall space by no later than the Friday prior to the start of classes for the spring semester. In all other situations, the student will be required to immediately vacate university housing upon termination of the agreement. The university reserves the right to take necessary measures to remove a student and belongings remaining in campus housing after termination of the agreement. The university shall also charge the student a pro-rata charge, plus penalty fees, for each day remaining after such termination.
L. Dining Services
All freshman and sophomore resident students must participate in one of the university meal plan options. Petitions for release from this requirement based on dietary considerations must be reviewed by the nutritionist on staff and are approved only by the coordinator for assignments. Freshman students must choose either a 15 or 21 meal plan only. Sophomore students may choose any meal plan except the 100 Block. If a freshman or sophomore student does not specify a meal plan on the Residential Hall and Dining Services Application, the student will automatically be assigned the 15-meal plan. The meal plan a student chooses for the fall semester will also be the meal plan he or she will be assigned and billed for during the spring semester, unless the student requests and is approved for cancellation or change of their fall meal plan.
1. Meal plans begin the Saturday prior to the first day of classes for undergraduate students and terminate with the dinner meal on the last day of final exam period for undergraduates. Meal Plans are not in effect during the Thanksgiving, winter, Easter and Spring break periods.
2. Students are required to pick up their Cardinal Card and make financial arrangements during official university registration periods at the beginning of each semester. Refunds will not be made for missed meals or unused points.
3. Changes to meal plans normally cannot be made after the last day of the first week of classes of each semester, or after the plan has been used.
4. The university reserves the right to assign all students to a dining plan and to suspend a student’s meal privileges if
necessary.
M. Cancellation of Dining Services
Freshman and sophomore residential students may cancel their meal plans only if they officially withdraw from university housing. All other students (residential or non-residential) may seek to cancel their meal plans prior to the last day of the first week of classes by making this request, in writing, to HRS. During this time, refunds will be made on a per diem basis. After the last day of the first week of classes, requests for cancellation of food services must be submitted in writing to the coordinator for assignments. If a student requests and is approved for cancellation or change of their meal plan for the fall semester, that cancellation or change is automatically applied to the spring semester.
VI. SIGNATURES
By signing and submitting the Residence Hall and Dining Services applications, the student voluntarily agrees to and will be bound by the terms and conditions outlined in this Residence Hall and Dining Services Agreement.