Housing Information

Eligibility
Students must have a full-time course load in any academic program (defined as twelve (12) credits for undergraduate students or nine (9) credits for graduate students per academic semester) in order to live on campus. Anyone carrying less than these numbers of credits must have permission from Residence Life in order to live on campus.

Housing Contract
All student residents of residence halls are required to sign a housing contract, which contains the terms of the lease. This will allow students to acknowledge the responsibilities that they have as residents.

Housing Deposits
Each student is responsible for paying a housing deposit of $200 to reserve a room, prior to enrolling. Each student is required to maintain the one-time housing deposit on file while residing in University residence halls. Housing deposits are transferred from academic year to academic year if the resident returns to live in University residence halls. These housing deposits are held against the possible incurrence of a damage charge. All contracts are based on the full fall/spring academic term. Residents who break their contracts before the end of the fall/spring semester will automatically lose their housing deposit. To be eligible for a refund of the housing deposit, a student who remains enrolled in the University must demonstrate extenuating circumstances that have arisen after the beginning of the contract period, which prevent him or her from honoring the terms of the contract. Room deposits will be refunded within four to six weeks after a student leaves the University by either graduation or other valid reason without violation of the housing contract and after all room inventory forms have been completed and processed to show that no damage to the student's room and its contents has occurred.

Room Occupancy
Students are assigned a room as space permits. If a student fails to occupy his/her assigned space on or before the first day of class, the assignment may be cancelled unless advance notice of late arrival, subject to approval, is given to Residence Life. All students are required to have a roommate. All new, incoming freshmen who choose to reside on campus will be assigned to Benson Hall with the exception of older students who may request a different housing arrangement. During the winter break, all residence halls are closed. Special permission must be obtained from Residence Life to remain on campus.

Entry into Student Rooms
The University reserves the right of entry into any residence hall room for purposes of inspection, cleaning, repair, painting, maintenance, or assessment of damages. The University also reserves the right of entry into any residence hall room to maintain discipline and to provide for the security of persons and property. Regular inspections are made of all areas. When possible, inspections will be arranged in advance; however, the University has the right of immediate entry in the event of fire alarm, emergency, or when a violation of law or university policy is suspected. Members of the Residence Life staff, University administration, Department of Public Safety, or the Physical Plant Department will exercise the right of entry under those circumstances. Residence Life reserves the right to conduct unannounced health and safety inspections each semester. The Director of Residence Life, Program Manager, Housing Operations Manager, and/or Coordinators of Residence Education are empowered to conduct an administrative search of student rooms and University property when it is deemed necessary.

Student Accounts
Student account balances will be checked before business registration to determine if there is any outstanding balance due the University. An outstanding balance remaining one week before business registration will result in the cancellation of a student's course schedule. An unpaid balance remaining five business days after business registration may result in an automatic forfeiture of a student's room assignment. The student would then be placed on the waiting list for overflow space (if any is available). It is the student's responsibility to maintain his/her student account and to pay any outstanding balance before business registration.

Meal Program
All students who live on campus are required to participate in the University meal program. Students who live off campus may buy commuter dining dollars which starts with a $150 nonrefundable plan. There are additional meal plan options to select from. Residents will be given the opportunity to sign up for a particular meal plan during business registration; students who do not sign up during business registration will be billed for the lowest meal plan. Special dietary plans may be available to those students who need them. These students are responsible for arranging a special diet plan with the Food Service manager. Board charges are made for each semester at registration time. Block meal plans are not transferable from semester to semester. When a student leaves the University and returns his/her ID and meal cards, refunds are prorated on a weekly basis, with each week starting on a Sunday.

Board fees do not include the winter break period between fall and spring semesters and the spring recess period during the spring semester (usually a week in mid-March), and Commencement week. All students are responsible for their meals during these periods.

Room Charges and Refunds
Room charges are made for each semester at registration time. Prorated room refunds are made only when a student leaves the University, following proper room checkout procedures, before the fifth week of a semester. There will be no refunds for disciplinary dismissals. (For additional information, see Refunds section.) Residents who do not return as students and follow proper room checkout and notification procedures at the end of the fall or spring semesters will be charged a late cancellation fee.

Room rates are based on double occupancy (quadruple occupancy in suites in Carlin and Clerc Halls). The University reserves the right to reassign student rooms at any time.

Room fees do not include the winter recess between semesters. Room and board is provided only during the time the University is in session. In some instances, rooms may be occupied while the University is closed; this must be cleared with the Residence Life Office. Students staying without permission will be charged a daily room rate in addition to a $25 fine, and additional penalties may be assessed.

Graduate students who are required as part of the academic requirements for a degree to do a practicum or student teaching assignment off campus may have their room charges prorated for a semester, provided they vacate the room during the time period of the off-campus assignment. Upon returning to campus, students will be assigned to a room depending on space availability. Students who wish to leave personal effects in a room are required to pay the entire semester charge. Graduate students who wish to have their room charges prorated for the spring semester must make arrangements with the Residence Life Office during the month of December.

Room Changes
Only Residence Life staff may grant authorization for residents to change rooms and only when circumstances allow. When a bed becomes available in a student's room, the resident must keep the bed and corresponding furniture in half of the room vacant for a potential roommate in case of room consolidation, room changes, new room assignments, or any other reason deemed necessary.

Room Consolidation
At the end of the room change period, all students who do not have roommates may be consolidated. The occupants of rooms with vacancies will be merged with others in a similar situation to make a full room. This means some residents will be reassigned to different rooms in order to maximize the use of space as well as to retain vacant rooms for emergencies and guests. Non-compliance with consolidation assignments will result in disciplinary action.

Refunds for tuition and charges for Fall and Spring Semesters
Refunds for the unexpired portion of the semester will be made according to the time of withdrawal as follows:

During first week of classes - 80% of the charges
During second week of classes - 60% of the charges
During third week of classes - 40% of the charges
During fourth week of classes - 20% of the charges
Thereafter - no refund

A student is not eligible for a refund if he/she stops attending classes but remains as a resident in the residence hall. The refund will be determined by the date of checkout from the residence hall.

Board - prorated refund
Fees - no refund
Any disciplinary suspension or dismissal - no refund

Refunds for Summer Sessions
Refunds for the unexpired portion of the session will be made according to the time of withdrawal as follows:

During first week of classes - 75%
During second week of classes - 25%
Thereafter - no refunds or cancellations
Board - prorated refund based on full weeks only
Fees - no refunds or cancellations
Any disciplinary suspension or dismissal- no refunds

Withdrawals/Leave of Absences
Residents who withdraw from all classes and/or declare a Leave of Absence (LOA) during a semester must vacate their rooms within 48 hours of submitting completed paperwork to the Registrar's Office.

Housing for Single/Married Students with Children and Married Students
Housing is available on a limited basis in unfurnished apartments located on the upper level of the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School for those students who have children. To reside in an apartment with a child, a parent must be a full-time student. Individuals such as boy/girlfriends and siblings do not qualify as residents. Also, space permitting, special arrangements may be made in the fall/spring semester to provide residence hall housing for a limited number of married students without dependent children. In order to qualify for such housing, at least one partner must carry a full academic load. Double occupancy rooms with regular residence hall furniture and a private bath may be assigned. Children may not live with parent(s) who are students residing in the residence halls.

University Liability
Students are responsible for any property brought to school. The University cannot assume any responsibility for property damage or loss of property use, nor can it assume responsibility for harm caused by other students or their guests. It is strongly recommended that students take measures to protect valuable property and to insure any belongings before arriving at the University. A student's family may have a homeowner's or renter's insurance policy that extends to property located on campus, or an insurance policy can be purchased directly by students from any insurance agent.

Gallaudet University also reserves the right to transfer any costs or expenses for property damage or liability claims to any person responsible for causing such damage or liability. Students are responsible for the consequences of their actions or neglect. Again, a family's existing insurance coverage may protect the student for his or her activities on campus, or students can purchase separate insurance.